The project started in May of 2005 with a needs assessment to better target the education program. We are working with a steering committee to ensure that the program developed meets the needs and learning styles of watershed coordinators.

The desired outcomes of this program include watershed groups with improved planning skills and knowledge, better use of information and data to more effectively plan for and implement watershed protection, a support network for watershed groups, and ultimately more effective watershed protection.

Components of Indiana Watershed Leadership

Indiana Watershed Leadership Course:
A course will be organized focusing on watershed leadership and technical skills, including both distance education courses and face-to-face sessions. Face-to-face sessions will serve for much-needed exchange and support between coordinators, and allow them to put into practice skills they have learned in the distance education courses. They will take place at Indiana State Parks and will involve specialists who teach in specific areas of leadership and water quality. Activities may include written assignments with review and feedback by us, small group discussions, teamwork exercises, field trips, presentations, and simulations.

Watershed Support Network:
Through collaboration with research and education experts, and partnerships with other conservation organizations and agencies we will help develop a support network for watershed groups. Another component of this assistance will be to organize a watershed mentoring program. We will attempt to pair new watershed coordinators with an experienced watershed person in their region who will offer them advice and support. Field workshops on specialized watershed techniques will be offered throughout the project.

Indiana Watersheds Conference:
We will develop a watershed conference focused on Indiana’s watersheds and the people working to plan for, restore, and protect these watersheds. Such a conference, which will be held in 2007, will serve to bring together watershed coordinators, federal and state officials, agency partners, and university researchers. The conference will focus on the highest priority issues that watershed groups are having difficulty with or will face in the future.

Fact sheets:
Program factsheet .pdf (107 kb)
Project steering committee .pdf (39 kb)

The Indiana Watershed Leadership program is supported in part through an EPA-319 grant from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.