• No one that I spoke with while distributing information about the survey had ever heard of the watershed approach, the watershed council, or any of the associated activities.

The Watershed Approach assumes a high level of participation and action from public stakeholders and draws heavily on the resources of the community residents. Watershed teams like the Council or monitoring groups provide not only research and experience, but ties to the community so that projects needing public support (financial or otherwise) can find a receptive and educated audience.

However, this requires a committed investment in education and outreach. The concept of a watershed-- what it is and why we care about it-- is difficult enough to understand without adding complicating vocabulary like "Action Plan Strategy."

Certainly, none of this is news. Education and Outreach have always been sticking points in watershed-level planning and many successful organizations point to them as key elements of their success.

The asset map, due to be released in June for Rhode Island Rivers Day, should go a long way toward the Woonasquatucket's infiltration into Rhode Island homes, work, schools, and glove compartments.

In addition, RI DEM released a watershed outreach placemat in April that is being distributed statewide and serves to build awareness of what watersheds are, ways to help protect the environment, and identifying a new kind of Rhode Island boundary. Outreach is a continual process, however, and requires not only creative but also aggressive and persistent strategies. See Recommendations-- For WRWC for some specific examples.