Myers Neighborhood Association

Watershed Management Group

Neighborhood Watershed Leaders Training Program

Watershed Management Group (WMG) is pleased to announce a hands-on training program for citizens seeking to improve local watershed conditions. The goal of the program is to equip community residents with knowledge, tools, and hands-on experience that they can use to address stormwater quality issues in their own neighborhoods. Trainees will participate directly in WMG’s program to create a neighborhood model for improving urban water quality through installation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) such as bioretention basins, berms, curb cuts, buffer strips, mulch and native vegetation in Tucson’s Rincon Heights neighborhood. For more information on the Rincon Heights program, visit WMG’s website at: http://watershedmg.org/content/view/173/66/.

Program Description

What: The program will begin in October 2008, and continue through the Spring of 2009 (see below). Key elements of the program include:
o Two (2) hands-on workshops on BMP design and installation in city right-of-ways (area between the curb and sidewalk)
o Helping to lead and teach others in three (3) hands-on BMP installation workshops
o Attendance at two (2) public presentations by experts on water quality and urban wash issues and water quality BMPs
o Training in water quality monitoring
o One (1) site planning session
o One (1) community organizing session

The training has an estimated value of $250. It is being offered for a $25 program fee with support from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and WMG’s program partners.

Who: Many people contact WMG wanting to learn how to make neighborhood-scale improvements like water harvesting in the right-of-way, tree planting and curb cuts. Because WMG cannot work in every neighborhood, we seek to equip neighborhood leaders, activists, or people who “lead by doing” with the tools to take action in their local area. The program is limited to five (5) participants. Preference will be given to applicants who have demonstrated positive involvement in their neighborhood association or other local community action (not necessarily water-related).

Why: Water quality BMPs not only improve water quality but also reduce street flooding; provide prime sites for beautiful, cooling, and wildlife-friendly vegetation; and can be integrated with traffic calming and community development objectives. Participants in the program will learn how to design and build these BMPs in a unique small group setting, and gain experience leading others. Trainees will also learn from working in and with a neighborhood that has had great success in achieving its community goals.



When: If you are selected to participate in the Neighborhood Leaders Training Program, you must commit to attending the following events:

BMP Installation workshops in Rincon Heights neighborhood (choose any three (3) of the following):
Sunday, November 9, 8am-12pm
Saturday, December 13, 8am-12pm
Saturday, January 10 1-5pm
Saturday, February 14, 8am-12pm
Saturday, March 7, 1-5pm
Saturday, April 11, 8am-12pm
Saturday, May 9, 8am-12pm

Educational seminars:
Wednesday October 29, 7-8:30pm
Tuesday February 3, 7-8:30pm

Hands-on, small group workshops:
Saturday November 8, 8am-12pm
Saturday January 17, 8am-12pm

Site Planning and Community Organizing Session (2 total):
These two sessions will be about 1.5 hours each, and will likely be held on weekday evenings. Times will be determined based on availability of participants and staff.

Water Quality Training:
A 1.5–2 hour session will give trainees an overview of the “why” and “how” of water quality testing, and will hopefully include taking stormwater samples during the winter rains and submitting them for laboratory testing. Time to be determined.

How: Applying to the program

To participate in the program, please submit an application and resume (one page each). The application is due by Friday, October 10. Five (5) people will be selected to participate in the program, and all applicants will receive a response by Friday, October 17. Priority will be given to those applicants who are or have been active in neighborhood or community-development activities. An application can be found online at: http://watershedmg.org/images/stories/docs/nwltp_app.doc

If you have any questions about the training program, or application process, please contact James MacAdam by email at james@watershedmg.org or by phone at 520-396-3266. You may learn more about Watershed Management Group by visiting their website at www.watershedmg.org.

Neighborhood Watershed Leaders Training Program Application

Please fill out the application and submit a resume. Do not send a cover letter. The application and resume are limited to one page each – for a total of two pages. Please submit the application by email to James MacAdam, james@watershedmg.org, by October 10th. If you send the application by mail, it must be received (not postmarked) at the following address by October 10th: Watershed Management Group, PO Box 65953, Tucson, AZ 85728

Application Questions:

1. Why you would like to participate in the Neighborhood Watershed Leaders Training Program?

2. Please describe your previous involvement in neighborhood or community projects, programs or issues.

2. How would you use the knowledge, skills and experience gained from the program in your neighborhood or community?

4. Will you be willing and able to attend the events listed in the program description?