May 11, 2010
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In my community here in Northern California, we continue to have growing concern about summertime low flow rates in the rivers and streams, and how that affects the fish and wildlife, and of course, us. We have been well educated about these issues for years now. I imagine that there are many people in our area who are concerned about the amount of their water usage in relationship to this. In fact, it's hard to imagine that everyone isn't concerned. It's a big issue.
The question arose in my mind about what might stand in the way of someone's commitment to be more a part of the solution in at least their own personal use of water? One thought was information. Maybe it's because people don't really know what to do, or even if they did do something, wonder if it would really make a difference.
So, the next thought was: What if there was a day where someone could come, get better educated about different options, network at the same time deciding about how to create it, and who to get to help from. Maybe this would make a difference.
This is where Water Day came in. Why not have a day in the community, that was free, that was full of interesting presentations all about the different ways in which we can practice more mindful ways to use water? Showing many of the different options, such as better water saving devices in the home, from low flow faucets to being mindful when we brush our teeth and not letting the water just run down the drain, to drip irrigation & better gardening practices, to more water storage and even greywater systems.
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The next question was, even if you have a good idea, how do you get people to attend? Outreach. Make an attractive poster to hang around with pertinent info, create a website folks could be referred to (fortunately friends showed up in supportive ways to assist in both of these pieces). I called into every available radio show that might let me spout off about how great this event will be, from the what's-happening-locally show, to local chat and humor, to the women's radio program. Every place where there might be interested listeners. Being interviewed for the local news. There may be other ways the radio can serve too. With the help of some talented friends, we even created a funny ad to be aired periodically that went something like:
Local newspapers will accept a letter to the editor, so I used that for getting the word out as well as asking for some help for the event too. Writing an article announcing the event, which led to being interviewed for a couple of articles that others wrote.
What was offered at Water Day? There were displays around the room, from information about locally built water tanks to pond builders to a traveling bookstore full of informational books, to many of the non-profit and governmental departments that carry lots of pertinent information. We offered panel discussions running throughout the day. The presenter and display booths were mostly right from this area, as there as so many wise experts right here, although we did import an amazing star of a greywater expert. The first of these set the stage for why we were there, stream flow and water scarcity for humans and wildlife, with presenters from municipal services to low flow reports. Next was a panel on all aspects of water conservation in the garden, farm and home, from dry farming & no-till gardening, to drip irrigation & drought tolerant planting to household use. The third panel featured how to store more water, whether in the landscape with bioswales and ponds to tanks and the current permitting from the Dept. of Fish & Game for pumping from the rivers and streams. We then went to composting toilets and greywater systems, with an in depth look at regulations, proper soaps to use and how to design a system. Finally we ended with a community panel to ask what folks thought that our community needs in order to move together into a more sustainable water use model.
With all this information offered from our amazing presenters, we also needed to serve food so that folks would happily stay for the day. The funds raised from the sale of the food and from the earnings of the silent auction made up of items donated by local businesses basically covered the costs of the event.
The community center donated their space to be used and the event was packed. I was so amazed by this incredible community. It was impressive how many came to Water Day to share and learn how to be more effective in their water use practices. It shows such a commitment and intention to being part of the solution. The traveling bookseller at the event sold out on all their how-to greywater books. Conversations continue to this day about the composting toilets people are now using and the systems that they are implementing due to being turned on to how they can themselves be part of the solution.
We had invited our local supervisor, and a couple of our county Dept of Environmental Health officials, who gladly came to make some short presentations, and really to learn what they could about more options. Through this dialogue and interaction, it seems that these representatives went home better educated themselves, and there are some resounding effects in our local regulations due to this.
The next step was another letter to the editor stating: "What happens after Water Day? How do we as a community instigate more change in the water usage of the whole community. This effects us all. And really the next step is hopefully some community dialogue about where to go from here, with this great momentum of interest that is going. Anyone interested to meet and discuss our next steps?" I'll let you know how it goes.
I was grateful to have had some wise collaborators, and asked for assistance where I could, although most of the people I thought would be able to help me with this whim of an idea were all busy. Eventually a few stellar people helped with some of the ideas, and definitely took on some important roles, but mostly I devoted my month to coordinating this event. I am fortunate to live in an awake and aware region where people have been working on these issues for years and years. I just saw that there was a need to draw it together in a learning friendly situation, so it would feel like a safe and empowering environment to stimulate even more change. I couldn't have done it all on my own, but was able to do a lot. We can each make a difference. What do you see that needs doing?
This story is what took place in my community. It's an example of something you can do to bring these issues to their watershed just like I did (with some help). No matter what the size of your neighborhood, watershed, town, or bioregion, you too can effect some change of awareness and empowerment for your area to be a part of the solution.
"There was a time when the idea of preserving the rivers and our watersheds seemed as silly as there being a time when buying water in bottles became the norm." Are we there yet?
Thanks to all who care. Thanks especially to Water, the rivers and streams, for without them, what would we be?
If you are inspired, go for it, ask for help, serve good food, and know that we really just need a little help to know what we can do. If you have any questions or feedback, feel free to write to rippleeffect42@gmail.com
Radio Ad
(sound of running water)......
1: Yo dude--what's up with letting the water run?
2: What's the big deal? There's plenty of water these days. Have you looked outside recently? The river's are UP.
1: OK, I know it seems like there's no shortage now, but you should still treat it like the precious resource it is. Remember what it's like in the summer when it hasn't rained for months? We've got to get in to the habit of conserving. Check this out--there's going to be a great event at the Mateel, Sunday, April 18th. They are calling it Water Day.
2: I know, I know, bigger water tanks. But how else can I make a difference?
1: There'll be all sorts of displays and presenters on pretty much every aspect of water conservation, such as mulching and no-till farming. I'm stoked to find out how to build a greywater system.
2: Greywater? What's that?
1: The water that comes out of our showers and washing machines that we can be using on our gardens......... (more running water).
note: This type of public interest ad could even stand alone as an awareness giving reminder, with our without an event to plug.
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TOC for Forest & River News, Spring 2010