Hope and Hard Work

A Two Year Comprehensive Training Program for Watersheds in Appalachian Coal Country

Geographic Scope

· Hope and Hard Work trainings and practicum will be offered to watershed stewards in the states of Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky and Alabama. 

Activities Planned

· Our capacity building approach will provide training and support for at least 50 grassroots watershed groups representing 2.5 million citizens from eight states and three EPA regions.  Our Appalachian based trainers will lead participants through two trainings/year  (Spring and Fall) interspersed with a four-month practicum supported by on-site consultation, immediate access to local assistance, guidance on using available resources and a partner membership in River Network.

· Each training will be divided into two tracks—water monitoring and fiscal sustainability.   Two participants from each watershed group will attend the trainings, each choosing one of the two tracks.  The summer practicum will provide each individual the opportunity to apply their  new skills while developing confidence through  the mentorship of  their state partner.

· Examples of Water Quality Track practicums include:  developing volunteer monitoring teams, writing preliminary watershed-based plans, and configuring data into useable systems while examples of Fiscal Sustainability Track practicums include:  writing fundraising plans, applying for small grants, and determining Board of Directors roles.  

· In the Fall training after returning from their practicums, groups will formally share successes and lessons learned with their peers.  A funders’ panel will convene a diverse group of private, federal and state entities that will lay out opportunities for Coal Country watershed groups.  The first year participants will be listed on the ECRR’s website as local leadership coaches charged with serving their home and neighboring watersheds.

Outreach

· State partners from each state are involved with pre-training out reach.   The ECRR will use their recommendations as well as its comprehensive list of active watersheds in Appalachia to reach a wide and diverse audience.  A partner in these trainings, the Appalachian Coal Country Watershed Team, has received funding to focus specifically on recruiting individuals from distressed counties.

Where the Project is Headed

· Through Hope and Hard Work, the Eastern Coal Region Roundtable will gain an executive director who, along with implementing the trainings, will also secure future funding for the organization. 

· Throughout the two year period, data collected from the projects and lessons learned will be collected in a final State of the Region report.  A  Roundtable Summit will convene in a central location for all participants, invited private partners and policy makers.  Its format will include facilitated discussion, a keynote speaker, presentations, panel discussions and exhibition booths.  We will deliver the State of the Region report at the Summit.  Our aim is to facilitate 50 or more financially self sustaining watershed groups in Coal Country able to be results oriented and create measurable results.  The Roundtable Summit and State of the Region Report will elevate public awareness and capture funder interest in Appalachian Coal County’s environmental crisis.

            Adam  Webster Eastern Coal Region Roundtable-Coordinator     304/329-8049   info@easterncoal.org

119 S. Price Street.  #209  Kingwood, WV 26537 www.easterncoal.org