Challenges in the Conservation of Biological Resources: A Practitioners Guide by Daniel J. Decker

Author:Daniel J. Decker [Decker, Daniel J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780367016791
Google: iheaxgEACAAJ
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Group
Published: 2019-06-17T06:59:08+00:00

often inspired to join a local watershed association or work with their towns to make sure that zoning is appropriate to protect the watershed.

GIS is the "great communicator"—it is the visual breakthrough that allows laypeople to understand better why environmental protection is necessary and, more importantly, how to accomplish it. One GIS map is literally worth 1,000 words.

Thus, GIS is empowering. GIS maps are, in essence, clear environmental spreadsheets. The confusing and complex become obvious. Ambiguities are clarified. The frailties of conventional wisdom and outright misinformation are exposed. Opponents' views often are shown to be compatible. Like-minded conservationists develop networks and coordinate efforts around the common vision of protected, clean, green riparian corridors that tie together numerous protected open lands scattered throughout the communities in their respective basins/ecosystems (Fig. 14.3). For example, in 1965 the Nashua River Watershed Association organized around two basic goals: (1) restore water quality, and (2) protect the river corridor lands for recreation, water quality protection and aesthetic reasons (Fig. 14.3a). Inadvertently, the plan fulfilled the fundamental tenet of landscape ecology—the need to link existing protected open spaces with greenway wildlife travel corridors. Similarly, partnerships of conservationists can result in networks of conservation lands. There is no single repository of authority and funding to adequately regulate land use and acquire all needed wildlife habitat. Different interest groups and individuals must cooperate and coordinate efforts and utilize a mix of techniques (e.g., fee acquisition, conservation restrictions, donated easements, town by-laws and regulations) to protect a river corridor (Fig. 14.3b).

The Massachusetts DFWELE has designed an Adopt-A-Stream Program to assist people who want to improve and protect waterways in their communities. The Adopt-A-Stream Program helps citizen groups take a grand vision, such as fishable/swimmable protected river corridors, and establish specific long-term goals (Fig. 14.4). These goals can then guide more specific objectives, as well as provide easily-understood, achievable and measurable actions.

People may often be overwhelmed and feel helpless to relate to global ecological crises or discouraged by the challenge of restoring a neglected major river. Adopt-A-Stream teaches people how to start out small and build, i.e., "think globally and act locally," one act kindling another. For example, a newly-formed group could begin by organizing a trash removal day or a canoe trip. These tasks create

FIGURE 14.4. The ultimate vision of restoring and protecting rivers and streams can overwhelm and discourage local citizens. However, such a grand vision can easily be translated into logical goals, more focused objectives, and finally achievable and measurable actions to which people can more easily relate.

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