1. a community partner protecting land, water and quality of life through conservation, stewardship and education Stewardship Needs in Our Community

2. Stewardship: taking care of something, looking after something. …a sense of commitment

3. Stewardship: taking care of something, looking after something. …a sense of commitment How can you take care of something that you don’t know? Stewardship = Knowing something and how to take care of it

5. Natural Resources Provide Recreational opportunities Hunting, fishing, camping, hiking …and the habitats that support the animals to be hunted and the fish to be caught and the berries to be picked… Important human services Clean air, drinking water, and flood control Economic benefits Timber and natural products Tourism Outdoor recreational consumers (fishing poles, hiking boots, snowmobiles, etc.) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ All of these contribute to quality of life in our community

7. But to have a high quality of life in our community and have these benefits: Recreational opportunities Important human services Economic vitality Natural Resources must be healthy …they must be taken care of …it requires good stewardship

8. How can you take care of something that you don’t know? indoor Vigorous outdoor activities are being replaced by indoor, sedentary pursuits: video games internet surfing television watching all called videophilia Videophilia contributes to obesity lack of socialization attention disorders poor academic performance Based on visits to state and federal parks, and the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, outdoor recreation has declined about 20% in the last two decades. Less time outdoors = less contact with nature = less interest in stewardship

9. Stewardship Needs in Our Community:

10. Get to know our outdoor world Have fun being outside Get children out in the woods…wetlands …and by the lakeshore …In winter, spring, summer and fall Children need to know the natural world before they can learn how to take care of it

11. Stewardship Needs in Our Community: Using resources wisely so the next generation can enjoy this place too -recycling and waste reduction programs in schools Restoring habitats so the hunting and fishing will be good -Stream improvement projects -Invasive species/disease control Learning about places and sharing that knowledge so the community can learn about and enjoy these places too -Interpretive signage -Community education programs Helping our natural resources be healthy for clean air and water -pollution prevention -storm water control