News

1. Georgia River Network is Moving

2. Altamaha Riverkeeper Seeks a Coastkeeper

3. ESI Seeks Senior Scientist

4. Call for Papers: Georgia Water Resources Conference

5. EPA Issues Nationwide Warning on Mercury Contamination of Freshwater Fish

6. Environmental Education Alliance Issues Call for Proposals

7. Weyerhauser Closes Sale of 270,000 Acres in Georgia

8. Save Cumberland Island’s Wilderness

Group Spotlight

9. Broad River Watershed Association

Workshops/Conferences/Calendar Items

10. GRN Annual Conference Date Set - Milledgeville

11. Advocacy Workshops –Jesup, Milledgeville

12. DNR Board Meeting – Atlanta

13. ICL Board University - Alabama

14. Georgia Environmental Council Annual Meeting – Covington

15. Celebrate Etowah

16. Winning Water: 2005 Children's Water Festival - Dalton

17. Gardening to Protect Water Quality Workshops – Metro Atlanta Area

18. Watershed Academy: Principles of Water Quality Monitoring, Planning, and Restoration - North Carolina Arboretum

19. Altamaha Riverkeeper Fishing Rodeo and Clean Up - Darien

20. Center for Watershed Protection Stormwater Program Institute – New York

21. Savannah River Meander

22. Tour De Sprawl - Athens

Policy

23. SB 460 Rules Development Team

Resources

24. GRN Service Spotlight: Strategic Planning

25. Successful Advocacy: The Rules for Nonprofit Participation in Election Activities

26. Prevent Employee Burnout

27. New CD Short Course on the Geomorphic Response of Rivers to Dams

28. River Network’s “River Advocate’s Fundraising Guide” Online

29. Free Guidance on Outreach Campaigns

Fundraising

30. Fundraising Deadlines

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1. Georgia River Network is Moving
The offices of Georgia River Network will be moving on September 28th. If you have trouble emailing us or reaching us by phone around this date, please be patient and we will be back up and running as quickly as possible. Our new address will be 126 S. Milledge Avenue, Ste. E3, Athens, GA 30605. Our phone, fax and email will remain unchanged. Please update your records.

2. Altamaha Riverkeeper Seeks Coastkeeper

The Altamaha Riverkeeper has recently created a new staff position, the Altamaha Coastkeeper. The full job description can be found at www.altamahariverkeeper.org. Application deadline: September 27, 2004.

3. ESI Seeks Senior Scientist
Environmental Services, Inc. is seeking resumes for a Senior Scientist in their Stone Mountain, Georgia office. ESI is a fast growing firm with opportunities for diligent employees with experience in the area of stream assessment and restoration. This individual must have 4+ years experience with a Bachelors degree in biology, botany, water resources or related fields and have completed preferably all four levels of Rosgen training. Applicants should have project experience with urban and rural stream restoration, stream design and construction oversight. Please visit www.esinc.cc to find out more about this office location. Send letter of interest and resume to Melissa Frankie, Environmental Services, Inc., 7220 Financial Way, Suite 100, Jacksonville, Florida 32256.

4. Call for Papers: 2005 Georgia Water Resources Conference

Short abstracts due September 30! The ninth biennial conference will be held on April 25-27, 2005, at the University of Georgia. The conference is an open forum for the discussion of current water policies, research, projects, and water management in Georgia. Abstracts and proposals for sessions/panels/workshops/exhibits are sought on any topics related to Georgia water, especially those addressing the conference theme, “Creating Georgia’s Sustainable Water Future”, and the State of Georgia's effort to prepare a state water plan. Early registration for conference speakers is approximately $125 including two lunches and proceedings. Students receive a reduced rate, and a reduced rate is also available for one representative from each citizen organization that provides an exhibit or speaker. Further information about the conference (including the program from the previous conference) is available at http://ga.water.usgs.gov/gwrc.

5. EPA Issues Nationwide Warning on Mercury Contamination of Freshwater Fish (News from the Clean Water Network)

On August 24, EPA issued a report declaring that nearly all waters in the US are contaminated to some degree with mercury and that anglers should be wary of consuming the wild fish they catch. According to EPA's summary of 2003 data, three states -- Montana, Washington and Wisconsin -- now have statewide consumption advisories for mercury, raising the total to 21 states with statewide advisories for mercury contamination in every freshwater lake and/or river. Twelve states have statewide advisories for mercury contamination covering all their coastal waters. In addition, the number of river miles with mercury contamination warnings nationwide has jumped 60 percent since 2002; likewise the number of mercury-contaminated lake acres has increased 8 percent. In January, the Bush administration released proposed rules for controlling mercury emissions by coal-fired power plants that would allow three times more mercury pollution to be spewed into the air and precipitate into our waters, and for far longer, than current law allows. The EPA also proposed a cap and trade system to allow for emissions trading to reach the necessary reductions. To view the EPA National Fish Listing fact sheet visit EPA’s website: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/fish/advisories/factsheet.pdf.

6. Environmental Education Alliance Issues Call for Proposals
The Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia has posted their call for proposals seeking presenters for the 2005 conference (March 11-13, 2005) at Unicoi State Park in Helen, GA. The theme is Keys for Successful Partnerships. Information about the conference including proposal forms can be found on the EEA website at http://www.eealliance.org/conference.htm The deadline for submitting is Sept 22. The conference will include hands-on sessions, presentations, sharing sessions, workshops, panels, field trips, keynote speakers, social events, exhibits, silent auction, award ceremony and discounted registration for EEA members. Scholarships are available.

7. Weyerhaeuser Closes Sale of 270,000 Acres in Georgia (News thanks to Southern Forests Network)
Weyerhaeuser Company closed the sale of approximately 270,000 acres of timberlands in Georgia to four companies. The sale includes all Weyerhaeuser's owned commercial timberlands in Georgia. Weyerhaeuser will continue to manage a long-term timberland lease covering approximately 34,000 acres. The purchasers of the timberland are Virginia Forest Investment LLC from Hogansville and Macon, Georgia; Georgia Fall Line Properties LLC from Greensboro, Georgia; Oaky Woods Properties LLC from Perry, Georgia; and Copper Station Holdings #3 from Beaufort, South Carolina. Weyerhaeuser will continue operating its nine facilities in Georgia.

8. Save Cumberland Island’s Wilderness

Both the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources and the House Committee on Resources will be considering bills next week that would remove the wilderness designation on parts of Cumberland Island. The bills would remove from wilderness designation three roads on Cumberland, including the Main Road that runs the length of the island through the wilderness area. Removing the main road from the wilderness will literally split Cumberland's wilderness area in two. The bills also re-designate an area from "potential wilderness" to a "historic district." Please act now! If the wilderness designation is removed from the roads and the "historic district" is created, the Park Service will be able to shuttle the public through the wilderness by car or van to the historic district, thus impacting the remaining wilderness and impairing the wilderness experience for those who have sought solitude on foot. Tell your Senator to vote NO on S. 1462 and tell your Representative to vote NO on H.R. 4887. The House is considering the bill on Tuesday, September 14, and the Senate is considering the bill on Wednesday, September 15. If you need to look up your Senator or Representative, go to http://www.sos.state.ga.us/cgi-bin/locator.asp.

9. Group Spotlight on the Broad River Watershed Association
The Broad River Watershed Association is a 501(c)3, non-profit land trust dedicated to preserving the environmental and economic vitality of the Broad River watershed. BRWA coalesced in the early 1990’s as the product of a search by a small group of folks who lived along or enjoyed the Broad, just about 30 miles northeast of Athens, for a mechanism to secure the river’s long-term conservation. BRWA has grown to a membership of over 100 individuals and families, sharing a vision of the Broad River system persisting in a natural and free-flowing state as a result of voluntary, land-owner and community-based actions, to the benefit of the growing population of northeast Georgia.

The Broad River, a favorite canoeing and kayaking destination for many in the Athens area, is an environmentally and economically important resource for north Georgia. The river drains portions 11 counties, stretching > 85 miles from Toccoa to Clarks Hill Reservoir on the Savannah River. The river provides drinking water, flood control, and waste assimilation for communities in the watershed, as well as supporting an abundance of wildlife and fishes. On almost any summer weekend, the Broad hosts hundreds of paddlers escaping the heat and enjoying the serenity of a float accompanied by kingfishers and dragonflies, or the excitement of navigating whitewater shoals, depending on one’s choice of section to paddle. The Broad is the largest and longest Piedmont tributary of the Savannah River that remains undammed, and as such is home to ecological communities that have been lost in much of the Savannah system.

BRWA protects sensitive lands in the watershed and provides opportunities for members and others in the north Georgia community to connect with and learn about the river and issues affecting our environment. The Association presently protects > 300 acres by way of conservation easements or land ownership in the watershed, including a 21 acre wetland purchased within the last year with the help of grant funding. Across the year, the Association hosts educational and “river-appreciation” events such as a springtime float to Anthony Shoals to view shoal lilies in bloom, wildflower walks, river clean-ups, and monthly “second Tuesday” get-togethers of BRWA members and friends.

BRWA invites, and needs, participation from all those in the north Georgia community who care about conserving free-flowing rivers and undeveloped open-spaces essential to protecting environmental quality. BRWA is volunteer-driven and in constant search of talented and enthusiastic folks to help with resource protection, outreach and fund-raising. Upcoming activities include: the Annual Meeting on September 18th at 10:00 am at Watson Mill Bridge State Park; the “Canoes and Candlelight” float and dinner on the river, October 16th; and the “Run for the River” 5K run on November 6th (at Watson Mill – one of the prettiest 5K’s in GA!). For information on any of these events, or for information on how you can join and participate in conserving the Broad River, email Mary Freeman (mary@ttrout.ecology.uga.edu).

10. GRN Annual Conference Date Set
Mark Your Calendars! The 2005 Georgia River Network Conference will be held February 18 -20 at Georgia College and State University. Watch the website for more details.

11. Advocacy Workshops: Advocating for the Protection and Restoration of Your Watershed, Sponsored by Georgia River Network and Georgia Conservation Voters Education Fund

What You Will Learn:

How to build a relationship with your decision makers
How to track legislation, law-making, rule-making and decision-making at the federal, state, and local level
How to communicate with Federal, State and Local Legislators
How to influence law-making, rule-making and decision-making at the federal, state, and local level
How public officials who support protection and restoration of watersheds are elected
How to safely stay within legal limits for your 501(c)(3) organization while advocating for your cause or participating in election activities

When and Where:
Milledgeville - September 21, 2004, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Lake Laurel Biological Field Station

Click this link for directions.

Jesup - Oct. 2, 2004, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Wayne County Public Library, 759 Sunset Blvd.

Cost: Free!

How to Register:
* Visit www.garivers.org and download the registration form. Fax it in to 706-549-7791.
* Call Georgia River Network at 706/549-4508.

* Email the following information to info@garivers.org:

First and Last Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

E-mail Address:

Watershed Group/Affiliation:

Major River Basin:

12. DNR Board Meeting - (DNR calendar thanks to Georgia Environmental Council)
The next DNR Board meetings will occur September 28-29 in the DNR Boardroom, Suite 1252, East Tower, 2 MLK Jr. Drive, Atlanta. For details on DNR Board Meetings, visit http://www.gadnr.org/.

13. Georgia Environmental Council Annual Meeting
The Georgia Environmental Council will hold its 2004 Annual Meeting on Thursday, September 23rd from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Georgia Wildlife Federation’s Alcovy Conservation Center, 11600 Hazelbrand Road, Covington. DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb will be the featured speaker

14. Institute for Conservation Leadership: Board University Workshop

What is Board University? It's a workshop in which board members review the basics of board responsibility, and also dig into some specific topics. Last month in Nashville, ICL covered How Boards Develop Over Time; Board and Staff Responsibilities; Working Effectively as a Board; The Board's Role in Fundraising; and Planning. There are break-out spaces so that boards can skip some of the sessions and instead meet to carry out their business and make decisions right there. This workshop will be held on Saturday, October 23, 2004 from 9:30am - 6:00pm. It is sponsored by Alabama Rivers Alliance and Cahaba River Society and is being offered at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama (about 60 miles north of Birmingham, see www.campmcdowell.com). You can find further details and register online at www.icl.org. Please submit your registration by Friday, October 8 and include the name, role, and email address of each person who will be attending from your organization. The cost is $30/person ($20/person when a quorum of your board attends) and payment should be mailed to the ICL office by Friday, October 15. If you have any questions, please contact Baird Straughan at baird@icl.org or call (301) 270-2900.

15. Celebrate Etowah!

Several local organizations are collaborating to create an annual calendar of events called Celebrate Etowah. The goal of the celebration is to educate the public about the treasure that is the Etowah watershed and to inspire local communities to come together to protect this globally significant aquatic resource. The Etowah watershed provides not only drinking water for families and businesses, but also a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Forests and wetlands in the Etowah are home for a wide variety of wildlife, and healthy streams provide habitat for an incredible array of aquatic biodiversity. Celebrate Etowah is a chance for the public to learn more about the Etowah basin, the threats facing the watershed, and all the great opportunities to protect the river and her streams. Events will occur September 18 – November 7 and include river clean-ups, hikes, canoe trips, Adopt-A-Stream classes, workshops and seminars. All participants will receive a Celebrate Etowah T-shirt! For more information on specific events, go to the Celebrate Etowah web site: www.celebrate-etowah.org.

16. Winning Water: 2005 Children's Water Festival

Tuesday, March 8, 2005, at Dalton State College, Dalton, GA

Open to all 4th grade students and teachers located in the Coosa, Tallapoosa, and Tennessee River basins. Visit www.epa.gov/surf and click on Locate Your Watershed and follow the directions to make sure your school is located in one of the three basins. This is a hands-on, educational field experience that will educate 4th graders about the importance of water quality and quantity in Georgia. Visit www.winningwater.org for additional information and registration or contact Suki Janssen at sjanssen@dca.state.ga.us or 404-679-3152. Registration deadline is October 8, 2004.

17. Gardening to Protect Water Quality Workshops
Landscape refuse, such as leaves, grass clippings and trimmings, accounts for up to 20 percent of the waste being put into landfills (Source: UGA). The good news is that soils can often be improved and made more productive or conditioned by simply adding organic matter like grass clippings, vegetable scraps and leaves. The Clean Water Campaign is partnering with the local University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service offices to conduct composting workshops during the month of September as a part of the “Gardening to Protect Water Quality” series of workshops. The workshop are scheduled as follows:

September 14- Cobb County (7:00-8:30 p.m.)
Cobb County Water Quality Lab Training Room, 662 South Cobb Drive, Marietta, GA 30060-3105. Register by calling 770-528-1482 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 16- Gwinnett County (7:00-8:30 p.m.)
Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center Auditorium, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30045. Register by calling 404-463-3259 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 16- Rockdale County (7:00-8:30 p.m.)
Rockdale County Cooperative Extension Service, 1329 Portman Drive, Suite C, Conyers, GA 30094-6619. Register by calling 404-463-3259 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 18- Cherokee County (10:00 a.m.)
Hickory Flat Library, 2740 East Cherokee Drive, Canton, GA 30115. Register by calling 404-463-3259 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 20- South Fulton (6:30-8:00 p.m.)
South Fulton Annex, 5600 Stonewall Tell Road, College Park, GA 30349. Register by calling 404-730-8097 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 22- North Fulton (6:30-8:00 p.m.) North Fulton Annex, 7741 Roswell Road, Atlanta, GA 30350. Register by calling Corlette Dennard at 404-730-8097 or online www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
September 23- Clayton County (6:30-8:00 p.m.) Clayton County Water Authority’s Community Room, 1600 Battle Creek Rd, Morrow, GA 30260
Register by calling Kim Zimmerman at 678-422-2838 or online at www.cleanwatercampaign.com.
18. Watershed Academy: Principles of Water Quality Monitoring, Planning, and Restoration to be Held November 1 - 3, 2004 at the North Carolina Arboretum

Space is limited to the first 30 registrants. The purpose of the Watershed Academy is to teach participants how to apply water quality and watershed management principles to understand and solve complex water resource problems. Instructors will use case studies, field trips, and group assignments to teach about water quality assessment and watershed management approaches, including conservation, protection, and restoration. Sponsored by: USDA CSREES Southern Region Water Quality Program, North Carolina State University -- North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service Auburn University Clemson University. Professional Engineers earn 18 PDH's for the successful completion of the workshop. Landscape Architects, planners, and others may appeal to their respective board to obtain professional education credit. For more information, contact Andrea Olevano at acolevan@unity.ncsu.edu or visit http://www.aces.edu/waterquality/streams/academy2.htm.

19. Altamaha Riverkeeper Fishing Rodeo and River Clean Up
This event will be held on September 25 at the Upper County Landing near Jesup.
Registration begins at 7 a.m., launch is at 8, and the weigh in is at 5 p.m.
Visit www.altamahariverkeeper.org for details.

20. Center For Watershed Protection Stormwater Program Institute
The Center for Watershed Protection is offering a training program that's nothing like you've ever attended! Stormwater Program Institute and Stormwater Design Institute will be held December 7-9, 2004, at Westchester County Center, White Plains, NY. Who should attend? Public and private sector stormwater professionals with a background in engineering, hydrology, or water quality. Why should you attend? To develop or improve your municipal stormwater programs, strengthen your stormwater management design skills, and learn technical skills to effectively comply with the six minimum management measures of the NPDES Phase II stormwater permit program. What's the difference between the Stormwater Program Institute (SPI) and Stormwater Design Institute (SDI)? The SPI will help you streamline your local stormwater program. The SDI will help you learn to develop effective stormwater management solutions for different site and watershed conditions. Both Institutes run concurrently during this intensive three-day training opportunity. What's the difference between the Stormwater Program Institute (SPI) and Stormwater Design Institute (SDI)? The SPI will help you streamline your local stormwater program. The SDI will help you learn to develop effective stormwater management solutions for different site and watershed conditions. Both Institutes run concurrently during this intensive three-day training opportunity. How are the Institutes different from most other training programs? Most of the sessions at both Institutes are interactive, with hands-on training both in the field and in the classroom. Opportunities exist for participants to receive individualized support from local and national experts. How are the Institutes different from most other training programs? Most of the sessions at both Institutes are interactive, with hands-on training both in the field and in the classroom. Opportunities exist for participants to receive individualized support from local and national experts. How will this help me professionally? Participants who attend the Institutes will earn up to 21 PDHs in association with the New York State Society of Professional Engineers and the Practicing Institute of Engineering (approval pending), a training certificate, a special Institute notebook, and access to a private resource website designed exclusively for stormwater professionals. How much does it cost? Registration for the SPI or SDI is $350 when received prior to October 22, 2004, and $425 afterwards. Where can I get more information or register? Check out http://www.cwp.org/SPISDI.htm.

21. Savannah River Meander
The Savannah Riverkeeper announces the Second Annual Coastal Plain Meander, an educational cruise on the Savannah River from Augusta to Savannah. The Riverkeeper is teaming up with Bull River Cruises on a four-day (one, two and three-day trips are available) excursion to learn about the river. Participants leave Augusta on Friday, October 8 and arrive in Savannah Monday, October 11. Vessels: 45-foot pontoon (passengers), 20-foot pontoon (support). Meals and drinks (nonalcoholic) provided. Camping and beds available (equipment not supplied). Land support will accompany boats. Reservation deadline October 1. Passenger limit 35. Rates: Four days on the river + 3 nights camping $300; Three days on the river + 2 nights camping $250; Two days on the river + 1 night camping $200; One day on the river + 3 meals $100. Prices are the same for non-campers + $20 for a ride to and from Waynesboro on Friday night/Saturday morning. Indoor accommodations are extra. Contact Information: For boat reservations or for questions about the trip or about land transportation contact Frank Carl (706) 364-5253; frankcarl@knology.net; 816 Mary Ave., Augusta, GA 30904; a list of suggested items to take is available. For questions about the boat call Mike Neal (912) 898-1800.

22. Tour De Sprawl - Athens
BikeAthens and Athens Grow Green Coalition announce the 5th Annual Tour De Sprawl: "Green Solutions for Tomorrow's Pollution". This event features a series of informational presentations and a bicycle/bus tour of Athens and will showcase the innovative use of green technologies in the design and development of our living and working environments. This three day event begins on September 22 with a Green

Home Workshop by Dennis Creech of Southface Energy Institute. Mr. Creech will present effective and affordable techniques and materials to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally friendly. This free presentation begins at 7pm at Little Kings, located at 223 W. Hancock St. Athens. On Thursday, September 23 at 7pm in the UGA Chapel, Walter Brown of Green Street Properties will deliver the event's keynote address. His presentation will explore the implementation of new urbanist principles, green building techniques, and storm water management in the design and development of livable communities. A dessert reception will follow at the Founders Memorial Garden on the UGA Campus at 8:30pm. Both events are free. The Tour de Sprawl concludes with a bicycle and bus tour of Athens that will highlight private and governmental efforts to mitigate some of the negative effects of growth by using green building and alternative storm water management techniques. The 16 mile ride begins at College Square on Saturday September 25 at 8am and will include presentations by experts at regular rest stops along the route. Drinks, food, support services and a Tour de Sprawl t-shirt are included in the $15 registration fee. For more information contact: Jared Bailey at 706-338-9019 or email tds@bikeathens.com. Visit the website at http://www.bikeathens.com/activities/tds/tdsprawl_2004/index.html.

23. SB 460 Rules Development Team

During the 2004 session of the Georgia General Assembly Senate Bill 460 (SB460) passed both the House and the Senate, and Governor Perdue signed it into law. The statute amends the Erosion and Sedimentation Act relating to best management practices for control of soil erosion and sedimentation to require that before January 1, 2005, the Board of Natural Resources shall adopt certain amendments to the current erosion and sedimentation rules. The rule amendments will identify the criteria to be used by the director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division in considering applications for variance from the 25-foot stream buffer provision established in the Erosion and Sedimentation Act.

The SB 460 Rules Development Team was appointed in early July and has been charged to develop a draft rule that can be circulated on or before September 15, 2004, for public comment. They must then consider the comments received during the review period and make appropriate revisions to the rule amendment by November 1, 2004. The final proposed rule must be submitted to the Board at least 30 days prior to the proposed date of Board action and can not be altered thereafter if it is to be adopted at the December 8, 2004 Board meeting. Minutes of the SB 460 Rules Development Team meetings are posted at http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/environ/home_files/senbill460.htm.

24. GRN Service Spotlight: Strategic Planning

Feeling spread thin? Can’t do everything even though it’s all important? Don’t know when to say “no”? Then maybe it’s time to gain focus by creating a strategic plan or updating and utilizing your current plan. Georgia River Network can assist your watershed group with creating or updating a strategic plan to guide your work.

A strategic plan is one of the key ingredients for an organization that wants to remain sustainable and achieve long term success. A strategic plan is a document that will guide your organization for 3-5 years and sets a vision for the future. It identifies the actions you will take to meet your goals, the resources needed to succeed, and contains measurements that help you determine success. It is critical to have a strategic plan that is actually used and that everyone in your organization, including the board, endorses. The plan should be reviewed every six months to evaluate progress.

A survey by the C. S. Mott Foundation found that strategic planning is widely employed by staffed organizations working on freshwater ecosystem conservation. 73% of groups with staff reported having a current, written strategic plan. Of those, 78% reported that their board of directors reviewed progress against the plan annually. In contrast, 38% of all volunteer organizations reported having a current strategic plan. (Full report available at www.mott.org this fall.)

Creating a long term plan takes time, careful thought and work. Organizations should plan to dedicate a significant amount of time to complete the process. Most strategic plans take about 16 total hours to complete, and about 6 hours annually to update. The time and effort you put into creating a good plan will be repaid in future successes.

For more information about strategic planning call Georgia River Network or visit the source of this article at the River Network website www.rivernetwork.org.

25. Successful Advocacy: The Rules for Nonprofit Participation in Election Activities

Election season is in full swing, and many of you are wondering what types of activities your organization can undertake with regards to elections. The Alliance for Justice provides an overview on this issue in their fact sheet on Permissible Election Activities. Click this link to view the fact sheet. Visit http://www.allianceforjustice.org/nonprofit/technical_resources/resources/index.html for more information on election activities.

26. Prevent Employee Burnout
According to Brookings Institution surveys, 70 percent of nonprofit employees say it’s very easy to burn out in their jobs and they always have too much work to do. Unfortunately, nonprofits that get caught up in the cycle of cutting back and “making do” quickly burn out their already-overworked employees, and experts say an organization that can’t hold onto key employees can’t meet its mission. Read the full article, Five Tips to Prevent Employee (and Organizational) Burnout at.http://www.gcn.org/cv0904a.html.

27. New CD Short Course on the Geomorphic Response of Rivers to Dams
“ The Geomorphic Response of Rivers to Dams,” the product, a two-CD set, presents a short course on the topic by using the latest multimedia technology. The CDs are a record of the short course, which was held at the University of Nevada, Reno, in March 2003, and feature an interactive interface that presents streaming video of the course’s oral presentations along with their accompanying slideshows, timed to correspond to the talks’ contents, as well as transcripts of the talks and links to external information. The interface also features linked tables of contents, which give users the option of viewing the entire short course from beginning to end or navigating its presentations in the order of their choice. According to Furniss, the CD set can serve either as a stand-alone product, for individuals who did not attend the short course, or as a reference of information for those who did. Understanding the geomorphic response of rivers to dams is important to land managers and those involved with the environmental analysis of the effects of hydropower facilities. “The Geomorphic Response of Rivers to Dams” project was sponsored by the PNW Research Station, the Forest Service’s Washington Office Lands Program, and the Stream Systems Technology Center of the Rocky Mountain Research Station. To request a CD set, contact Diane Smith at (503) 808-2127 or desmith@fs.fed.us or visit http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/publications.

28. River Network’s “River Advocate’s Fundraising Guide” Online
Visit www.rivernetwork.org/fundraisingguide to access a wealth of information on fundraising for watershed organizations.

29. Free Guidance on Outreach Campaigns (News thanks to the Volunteer Monitor)

A newly updated version of Getting In Step: A Guide to Effective Outreach In Your Watershed provides a great deal of practical information for implementing campaigns to raise watershed awareness and influence behavior. The 100 page book discusses such issues as understanding your target audience, creating a message, and working with the media. A companion 35-minute video showcases four successful outreach programs. For free copies of the book and video, contact the National Service Center for Environmental Publications at 800-490-9198 or www.epa.gov/ncepihom or download the book in PDF format from www.epa.gov/nps/outreach.html.

30. Fundraising Deadlines
The following foundations are either new to our list of grants or have upcoming deadlines to submit proposals. To view grant makers that give throughout the year, visit our website at www.garivers.org and click on Grants.

Temper of the Times Foundation provides funds to underwrite advertising designed to promote the conservation and restoration of native wildlife, plants, and ecosystems in the United States. The application deadline is October 15, 2004. For more information, visit http://www.temperfund.org.

The Ben & Jerry's Foundation provides support to nonprofit, grassroots organizations throughout the United States that facilitate progressive social change by addressing the underlying conditions of societal and environmental problems. Deadline: November 1. Read more about the Foundation's funding requirements at http://www.benjerry.com/foundation.

The Altria Group, Inc. Environment RFP supports programs that foster new ideas and encourage collaboration among stakeholders that address water impairment and water use issues, and their impact on watersheds and constituent water bodies. Eligible organizations must have three or more years of experience in water conservation and/or water resource management. Grants will be awarded in the following two categories: Foster Scientific Understanding/Build Best Practices and Promote Community Engagement/Encourage Responsible Policy. Up to 20 grants ranging from $10,000 to $75,000 will be awarded. The deadline is September 30, 2004. Application guidelines are available on the website at http://altria.com/responsibility.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is making up to $1 million available in fiscal year 2004 Conservation Partnership Initiative (CPI) grants for state and local governments, tribes and nongovernmental organizations that have a history of working with agricultural producers. CPI is a voluntary program that fosters conservation partnerships and funds projects that focus technical and financial resources on conservation priorities in watersheds of special significance and other geographic areas of environmental sensitivity. Applications are due to NRCS State Conservationists by Sept. 10, 2004. To view the USDA announcement go to www.usda.gov/Newsroom/0309.04.html. For more details on CPI visit www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/cpi.

Captain Planet Foundation provides grants to organizations that promote an understanding of the environment and involve youth ages 6-18. Grants range from $250 - $2,500. Deadlines for submitting grant applications are March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31. Visit www.captainplanetfdn.org to learn about Captain Planet Foundation guidelines.

The Fund for Southern Communities is a publicly supported foundation established in 1981 to provide grants and technical assistance to progressive grassroots social change organizations working in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The Fund invites applications from organizations fighting discrimination based on race, sex, age, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, ethnic background, or physical and mental disabilities; struggling for the rights of workers; promoting self-determination in low-income and disenfranchised communities; protecting the environment; promoting and/or creating non-traditional arts and media; promoting peace. Regular grant deadlines are April 1 and October 1. Further information is available at the foundation’s website www.fund4south.org.

NOAA Restoration Center's Federal Register notice for fisheries habitat restoration funding is posted. Visit www.garivers.org and click on grants to link to their website for additional information. Deadline: Sept 15, 2004. The awards can range from $30,000 - $250,000.

Sapelo Foundation's Environmental Protection Program addresses such issues as water and air quality, sprawl and sustainable development, corporate effects on rural communities, and the protection and management of natural resources. Currently, the primary focus is a strategic campaign addressing water resource management and policy in Georgia. The Trustees meet to consider grants twice each year. Deadlines for submission of proposals are September 1 and March 1. Grants range from $1,000 to $75,000. The average award is between $10,000 and $25,000. Visit http://www.sapelofoundation.org for more details.

The Starbucks Foundation funds local programs that serve low-income, at- risk youth (ages 6-18) through its Youth Leadership Grant Program. Grants range from $5,000-$20,000 and are given in two areas: Power of Literacy - programs that stimulate personal development and a commitment to social equity, justice, and environmental awareness through writing, literacy and expression in public forums; and, Leaders in Diversity - programs that teach the value of societal diversity and develop youth leadership skills to foster understanding between individuals, groups and communities. Grant applications are reviewed twice yearly, April 1st and October 1st. Visit http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/grantinfo.asp.

Town Creek Foundation supports programs that engage citizens in challenging the unsustainable use of natural resources and in protecting biological diversity. Strategies supported are grassroots activism, monitoring the enforcement of environmental laws, public policy advocacy, collaborative opportunities, media outreach, and model or demonstration projects fostering sustainable policies and practices. Deadlines are January 15, May 15, and September 15. Visit www.towncreekfnd.org.

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Dana Skelton
Director of Administration and Outreach
Georgia River Network
1090 S Milledge Avenue
Athens, GA 30605
706/549-4508
706/549-7791 fax
http://www.garivers.org

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