Title: Making Collaborative Watershed Management Work: The Confluence of State and Regional Initiatives

Authors: Sarah Michaels

Summary: Environmental Management, 27(1): 27-35; 2001
Recommended Audience: Regional extension staff, partnering agencies and organizations having responsibilities for assisting local watershed communities.
Principle Topic: During the initial organization of local watershed groups two variables need to be considered: (1) At what time should external resources be introduced? (2) What roles should external resources contribute to the process?

Review: The article reviewed how external support influenced the viability of local collaborative watershed management initiatives. Ms. Michaels states, “The presence or absence of three elements – external support, process, and issue – and the order in which they occur, shape the viability of collaborative watershed – scale management initiatives”.

Implications: This article is very useful for those people working with local watershed groups in early stages of organizing. It encourages thought to be given to the process, issue and the inclusion of external support for local watershed management groups. The article provides sound discussion relative to the order in which these three topics be considered when assisting a local watershed group to organize.