1. Collaboration in Watersheds Building Successful Watershed Coalitions

2. John Wesley Powell Gifford Pinchot Looking Back

3. Why Water & Watersheds Humans are 65% water! Water is Critical for: Agriculture Recreation Habitat Industry

4. About Me

5. About CUSP

6. MISSION The Coalition for the Upper South Platte seeks to protect the water quality and ecological health of the Upper South Platte Watershed, through the cooperative efforts of watershed stakeholders, with emphasis on community values and economic sustainability. VISION A Healthy Watershed – Now and in the Future

7. Brief early history 1996: Buffalo Creek Fire; Wild & Scenic; Source Water Protection 1997: Gov. entity stakeholders get together, sign MOU to form nonprofit watershed group 1998: Incorporate, obtain 501(c)3; hire me 1999-2000: Develop strategic plan; Hi Meadow Fire; Upper South Platte Large-scale Restoration Project; hire Theresa Springer 2002: Hayman Fire; staff grows to 6

8. Today 30 Employees ~$4,000,000 cash expenditures per year ~$1,000,000 in-kind and volunteer and resources per year Watershed collaborative; forest collaborative; emergency response collaborative Support other NGOs, smaller entities

9. Collaboration 1.Government entities do certain things well, but 2.They often don’t know how to work on/with private landowners 3.They are not nimble!!!

10. Collaboration So other stakeholders need to be at the table, such as: a.) Environmental groups b.) Recreation interests c.) Business owners d.) Agriculture e.) Citizens

11. Collaboration And nonprofits as partners are great at managing people and resources, leveraging funds, and creating a bridge in public- private partnerships!

12. The CUSP Template Board—Mixed; govt entities “own seats”; but not just govt! Up to 23 members, including reps for govt, environmental groups, recreations, interested citizens and businesses Not a “strong advocacy” group But—a “strong consensus” group

13. The CUSP Template Utilize science-based decisions and adaptive management Work on variety of projects that fit the mission See the whole shed in watershed Strong management, and staff driven day-to-day operations within context of the plan Smart use of technology

15. CAROL EKARIUS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR COALITION FOR THE UPPER SOUTH PLATTE firstname@uppersouthplatte.org www.uppersouthplatte.org 38000 Cherokee Ave. PO Box 726 Lake George, Co. 80827 719-748-0033 QUESTIONS? COMMENTS