by Marsha C. Salett, Editor

Charles River, Needham. © 2003 Marsha C. Salett

“The whole gathering ground of a river system” is one of The Oxford English Dictionary’s definitions of “watershed” (OED 2nd ed., vol. XIX). Along with being one of the most succinct definitions I’ve come across, it became my immediate favorite. To me, this definition encompasses not only all of the geographic area that drains into a particular river, but it also conjures the music of flowing waters and the poetry of still waters, the plants and wildlife that inhabit and depend on wetlands and surrounding areas, and the human fascination with and connection to rivers and streams, lakes and oceans.

Originally, the theme of this Spring 2003 “Conservation Perspectives” was freshwater – rivers and lakes. When I received the articles, it quickly became apparent that all three authors expanded the topic to that of watershed protection. Collectively, Lou Wagner in his article about the Ipswich River watershed, Karlene Schwartz in her article about Squam Lakes, and Nina Danforth in her stories about the Neponset and Hoosic River watersheds, touch on many issues: instream flow, water withdrawal, stormwater flows, interbasin transfers, sewage and wastewater, water quality, aquatic plant communities, invasive species, fish habitat, fish kills, anadromous fish spawning grounds, dams, as well as recreational and aesthetic values. Interconnected, these issues form an environmental “gathering ground” of a watershed and contribute to its health or degradation.

Independently of one another, Wagner, Schwartz and Danforth intertwined a second theme into their watershed articles – the theme of advocacy and activism. Humans have lived by and utilized and changed the natural waterways of our country for centuries. Our activities have direct – and often lasting -- consequences on watersheds and the organisms dependent on them. Today, watershed protection usually involves undoing past damages and fighting for good management practices through educating citizens and government officials, lobbying for funds and policy change, and direct participation in “hands on” activities from monitoring invasive species to removing trash from the water. The authors demonstrated in their articles that when stakeholders join forces, they become a “whole gathering ground” of involved people who affect positive change in their watersheds.

Despite progress to date in the Ipswich, Neponset, and Hoosic Rivers and in the Squam Lakes, future success is far from assured. Budget cuts can kill or indefinitely stall the most worthwhile conservation programs and environmental improvements. In Massachusetts, the Romney administration has already axed the Watershed Initiative program. (My friends in education and health and human services are complaining of devastating cuts in their programs, too.)

Walden Pond ©2003 Marsha C. Salett

State governments, as well as the federal government, are burdened with record deficits. Throughout the country, the economy is weak and the environmental picture is bleak. Environmental stewardship has ranked at the bottom of the Bush administration’s list of priorities even before the President declared a war on Iraq that is estimated to cost at least 75 billion dollars. With the financial, physical, and emotional stresses of war understandably foremost in the collective conscience of the nation, environmental protection is bound to remain a low-priority issue at both federal and local levels.

What do we – as conservationists, scientists, naturalists, and educators – do in these difficult times? Lou Wagner wrote that the “combination of advocacy and science” is an effective model and tool for watershed restoration. This combination is a powerful tool in other areas of conservation biology and environmental protection as well. Along with advocacy and science, I’d like to propose a third aspect – activism.

Environmental activism is already a major part of the professional lives and personal avocations of many of “Conservation Perspectives” readers. However, in today’s economic reality, government agencies and non-profit organizations alike are underfunded, with little respite from budget woes in sight. Increased volunteerism is one of the most effective ways to maintain public awareness of environmental issues and to preserve and protect our valuable natural resources and special places:

• Serve on a town board: Conservation Commission, Open Space Committee, etc.
• Run for an elected position in your community
• Join a task force, research team, or ecological management group: there are many nonprofit organizations that could use your scientific, academic, or business expertise.
• Take part in biodiversity surveys: bird, butterfly, or dragonfly counts; bird feeder surveys, biodiversity days, etc.
• Participate in ongoing research: nonprofit organizations collect data that range from water quality testing to invasive plant identification to radio-tracking of box turtles – and much more.
• Share your professional knowledge with school groups, after-school programs, or scouts; become a scout leader.
• Become a docent or interpreter for a local conservation or environmental organization for a few hours per week or month.
• Lead a walk or give a talk.
• Attend an environmental lecture or outing.
• Participate in “Earth Day” events, beach clean-ups, and maintenance days along your favorite trail.
• Write a letter to the newspaper.
• Stay informed and abreast of environmental legislation: several large, national environmental organizations have “action alert” or legislative update sections on their websites.
• Call, write, or email your state and congressional representative and senators; make your position known on environmental issues before they vote.
• Call, write, or email your state’s governor and President Bush about environmental issues.
• Call, write, or email your friends about important environmental issues so that they can contact their elected officials, too.
• Teach an adult education course.
• Keep your memberships current to your favorite non-profit, environmental organizations; donate time and money when possible.
• Support local groups and chapters through your participation; become an officer, serve on the board; help with outreach, program planning, public relations, or refreshments. Pay dues.

As you read the examples of advocacy and activism in this issue of “Conservation Perspectives,” I hope that you will be similarly inspired to participate in an environmental cause that is important to you. Locally or globally, environmental protection and conservation depend upon a “whole gathering ground” of vocal and active supporters.

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The views and opinions expressed in all articles that appear in "Conservation Perspectives" are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of NESCB.