Starting a coservation organization

[jifigz]

Okay ya'll, I have been giving a lot of thought regarding starting my own conservation organization recently. This organization will solely focus on stream habitat improvement, advocating for Mifflin County's wild trout, and working with the PFBC to ensure access to waterways, enhance the fisheries, and promote some fishing tourism in my area. Anyone who follows my posts knows that I love Kish and it's tributaries a tremendous amount. It is my home and I have a tremendous amount of pride regarding the stream, its tributaries, and this region in general. I am thinking of naming the organization a general/generic name such as the Kish Creek Conservancy so people will know what the organization stands for and what our main focus point is. While the majority of my efforts will be focused on Kish and its tribs, I would like to do what I can to protect and enhance every wild trout stream in this county. Now, I know that we already fall under the Penns Creek chapter of TU, but I want something more focused and with more projects done directly.

So, with that said, what are some problems, dilemmas, things to consider, etc with my idea? I plan on meeting with an attorney at some point in the next 2 months to help me hash some of this out. Any suggestions or problems that you all can help me with would be much appreciated.

 

[afishinado]

jifigz wrote:
Okay ya'll, I have been giving a lot of thought regarding starting my own conservation organization recently. This organization will solely focus on stream habitat improvement, advocating for Mifflin County's wild trout, and working with the PFBC to ensure access to waterways, enhance the fisheries, and promote some fishing tourism in my area. Anyone who follows my posts knows that I love Kish and it's tributaries a tremendous amount. It is my home and I have a tremendous amount of pride regarding the stream, its tributaries, and this region in general. I am thinking of naming the organization a general/generic name such as the Kish Creek Conservancy so people will know what the organization stands for and what our main focus point is. While the majority of my efforts will be focused on Kish and its tribs, I would like to do what I can to protect and enhance every wild trout stream in this county. Now, I know that we already fall under the Penns Creek chapter of TU, but I want something more focused and with more projects done directly.

So, with that said, what are some problems, dilemmas, things to consider, etc with my idea? I plan on meeting with an attorney at some point in the next 2 months to help me hash some of this out. Any suggestions or problems that you all can help me with would be much appreciated.

Great idea, Josh.

Good luck.

I'm sure you can get things up and running and make a difference.

 

[RLeep2]

Just as a matter of practicality and making use of tools that are already in place, etc. I'd consider using Penn's Creek TU for this effort. Or, if you think the membership potential is there for a new TU Chapter, do that and call it the Kish Creek Chapter or Jifigz Chapter or whatever. Going with TU would almost certainly open up more potential sources of grants and professional expertise than starting something new from the ground up.

So, unless you have sort of doctrinal conflict with TU, I don't really understand why you would go to all the work of starting from square one.

 

[lycoflyfisher]

Perhaps consider forming a watershed association. I am not sure who the current watershed specialist is with Mifflin County Conservation District, but typically they would be a good resource to start with to gather information and support. The PATU organization may have also have some valuable insight on starting a new organization whether it be affiliated with TU or not. I believe the Moshannon Creek Watershed Association just formed within the past year and they are on the way to doing some big things with AMD restoration. Perhaps reaching out to that group for guidance on how to start would be beneficial as well.

 

[jifigz]

RLeep2 wrote:
Just as a matter of practicality and making use of tools that are already in place, etc. I'd consider using Penn's Creek TU for this effort. Or, if you think the membership potential is there for a new TU Chapter, do that and call it the Kish Creek Chapter or Jifigz Chapter or whatever. Going with TU would almost certainly open up more potential sources of grants and professional expertise than starting something new from the ground up.

So, unless you have sort of doctrinal conflict with TU, I don't really understand why you would go to all the work of starting from square one.

The sole reason I want to cut Trout Unlimited out of the equation is because I want to know that the money raised by the organization and any government grants that the organization may receive are spent as transparently as possible and not lost in the bureaucracy of the organization. I like TU and am glad they exist but sometimes smaller is better. I will know that our money is spent directly on planting trees, ensuring access, fencing off cattle, etc. I just feel like it will be easier to ensure what we earn gets spent here and not doled out to another section or another project.

Maybe I don't fully understand how TU handles their finances either. I am not a member of TU.

 

[RLeep2]

I don't think your concerns re: transparency and having your funds otherwise directed are likely to be issues within the TU framework. But, it is also true that it is close to 20 years since I was actively involved at a sufficient level to say so categorically. TU has changed a lot in that 20 years, much larger staff and National seems to be more hands-on at the Chapter level, particularly when it comes to the array of expert/professional services they make available to chapters.
If you think you can build something viable that will make the sort of differences you seek, you should go for it. TU will be there and it's tools and depth will be available to you anyway, if you need them, and most likely without subsummation into the larger TU body. Many Chapters, Councils and National itself often partner with independent groups, conservancies or watershed associations on one-off efforts. If you build something good, it is more likely that TU will come looking to work with you as an equal partner rather than vice versa.

So, it's all good..

Good Luck!

 

[Oregon_OwlII]

From my experience, which some would say is considerable, your local TU chapter will be very transparent with the funds and virtually all the money it obtains from grants and donor directed funds gets applied to stream work. I think your hesitancy is not grounded in that respect. It may be more likely that the local chapter does not have the capacity to address Kish Creek at this time, and thus the need to a Kish TU chapter or a local watershed conservation organization. For a local watershed organization you will find that you will need funds to prop up the organization for things obtaining a non-profit 503 (c) incorporation with the state, marketing (getting known), newsletters, getting volunteers, acquiring liability insurance, and possibly obtaining rental space. Good luck in your pursuit. You will learn a lot and grow your fishing passion to another level.

 

[troutbert]

I know for sure that Penns Creek TU has been involved in riparian buffer and instream habitat work in the Kish Creek watershed. But I don't live in that area, so I don't know of what all they have done or are involved in.

But if you live in that area, I think the first step would be to find out what they are doing and offer to help.

The Conservation District and NRCS are trying to establish riparian buffers in the heavily farmed areas in Big Valley around Belleville. Riparian buffers require a lot of maintenance, and often the landowners have trouble doing it. That's where volunteers can help out. Whether through TU, some other conservation group, or maybe just an informal group of volunteers.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Jifgz,
Good for you. There are models out there exactly what you wish to do. One I know well is the LJRA. It is focused on a particular watershed and it works well with the local TU chapter (John Kennedy) that covers it. TU provides resources LJRA cannot access, volunteers (many local LJRA members are JKTU members) and overall support. I recommend that you start by meeting with Penns Creek TU and discussing how they can help you get started and how each organization can compliment but not duplicate activities.
I believe the Yellow creek coalition is another like this.
Meeting with the organizers of these groups will be very valuable. The LJRA is trying to schedule a meeting in September. We have to find a venue since the Edgewater Inn is closed (undergoing a sale). Check the website. You can come and describe your plans. I know some members fish Honey and Kish.
Other meeting/contract to establish is with the local WCO and PFBC person assigned to the area.
Finally, keep an eye on what the moshannon creek association is doing. They recently started a group.

 

[Mike]

If you wish to work with a Conservation District, then the Mill Creek Preservation Association in Lancaster Co. is a good model. Mill Ck is a long, mid-size, almost exclusively warmwater stream that primarily drains agricultural land. It would not surprise me if the combined miles of habitat work, buffers, fencing, cattle crossings, and bank grading (correcting vertical, eroded banks) accomplished by this group has been more than any other in Pa. My point is that this group in concert with the Conservation District has apparently developed a good system, so there may be no need to reinvent the wheel.

 

[CRB]

Have thick skin is my best advise.

There will be road blocks and some will be insurmountable but through persistence they can get done.

You will get burnt out, get some like minded members who will be able to fill your shoes.

The projects will take time from planning, organizing and implementing, then onto gathering workers to perform the work.

Monies seam to be the easiest part of the problem accomplish.