Presentation to the Friends of the Conte, December 2015 Kim Lutz, TNC CT River Program

1. We live, work and play in a watershed where
vibrant and engaged communities, a healthy
natural environment and a ecologically
sustainable economy are valued.
DRAFT Vision Statement

2.  Our waters, from source to sound, run clean and
clear, and fish and wildlife thrive in our lands and
waters.
 People are drawn to live, work, and play in our iconic
New England landscape.
 As stewards, we value natural, working, and urban
landscapes, which collectively protect our natural,
cultural, recreational, and scenic heritage.
Supporting Text:

3. We are a thriving network of public and private
organizations and individuals whose collective efforts
forge mutually beneficial partnerships and strengthen
the health of the Connecticut River watershed and the
communities that live in and are served by it.
Who We Are:

4. Mission vs Vision
 Vision: reflects values and inspirational ideal
 Mission: describes what an org does, how it does it, and
who does it for
 Clear, memorable, concise
 To do x for y via z
 May include who we are
 We are a partnership of organizations that promote,
restore, etc. a healthy, etc. Connecticut River watershed for
all through advocacy, outreach, recreation, etc.

5. We recognize that the Connecticut River watershed is
filled with special places that provide habitat for the
plants and animals that live in and along our rivers and
streams. Using a host of scientific tools, we will identify
the most important places and actively work to
conserve them.
Consensus Goal
Conserve, restore, and steward our
lands and waters

6. All citizens of the watershed will have the opportunity to
experience the natural beauty of the watershed. The river
and watershed are accessible to citizens of all abilities and
backgrounds.
Consensus Goal
Ensure access and recreation

7. An educated and informed populace is critical to a vibrant watershed. Individual
decisions, both big and little, will decide if we become a sustainable watershed.
When communities across the watershed understand the importance of the
Connecticut River watershed in their lives and livelihoods, This knowledge is
used to make decisions that improve quality of life in the watershed.
Include some of the following in next iteration: framed as building relationships
and identifies specific priority constituencies and diverse target communities, such
as urban, youth/young adult and/or working lands. Emphasize desire to engage
meaningfully and with shared benefit.
Majority vote (67%) to combine, wording TBD
Engage and educate the watershed
community

8. Climate change resiliency will be an integral part of our
work across goals. Defining a resilient future is critical as
the Connecticut River Watershed has experienced five
significant floods in the past ten years. By creating and
providing tools to decision makers, FOC can help
communities prepare for changes in climate that are
already impacting our watershed.
% suggest adding as separate goal 46%; adding under all goals 30%
Promote a resilient and adaptive
watershed

9. Full or part-time coordinator:
58% yes
25% no
16% no preference
Several suggestions about funding sources
Structure

10. Critical needs:
Website
Newsletter (frequency?)
Quarterly meetings (90% concur)
Communications