The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, Case Study Example

Environmental Protection and Preservation Programs

Describe the basic physical parameters of the watershed.

The Watershed Center in Grand Traverse Bay intends to protect the Grand Traverse Region and every water resource surrounding the area. In an aim of creating a more sustainable system that could support the life of the residents, the Watershed Center entails to educate the people about nature and all the different resources it has [especially water] and how they should build their lives around it and not against it; knowing its limits and capacities with full understanding of how to utilize its benefits to the fullest without necessarily abusing such natural elements. The center protects at least 1,000 square meter mile watershed that stretches from portions of the Grand Traverse, to Leelanau, parts of Antrim and even towards the locations directed to the Kalkaska counties.

What is the purpose of the group?

It is the group’s desire to entice the people to know more about their environment and act accordingly to save what is left of nature in the area. Helping them get involved into the process through the programs the group has established, the Watershed Center personnel hope to get everyone into the consideration of doing their part to conserve water and all the other resources leading to its preservation.

What are their specific problems? issues, projects, or triumphs?

The most recent achievement of the group includes gaining more than $7.2 million funding to support their Grand Traverse Bay Watershed Protection Plan which includes the prevention of at least 8,000 tons of sediments from entering the Grand Traverse Bay. This achievement has been a great response to one of the most compelling issues the group has had to deal with which involves the development of the area where roads are being constructed to prepare for industrialization of the region. Continuously protecting the area from such industrial disturbances is a primary goal of the group.

How are the various groups working together to solve the problems or maintain the quality of the watershed?

The group has an established link of partners within the area which includes business establishments, specific neighborhoods and of course several agencies linked with the local government. Through getting everyone involved in the project, these partner agencies and groups tend to come together and establish plans that would get each individual and each unit of group be a part of the development and preservation procedures taken into account for the desire of keeping the watershed safe and preserved.

Your comments?

No matter how good or how sustainable a program is, no group would be able to establish such a good name and gain specific achievements without the cooperation of the community and all the other agencies surrounding it. Relatively, for the Watershed Center in Grand Traverse Bay, such success was possible because of the involvement of everyone else in the community with regards the projects that the group establishes.

True to its sense, such success could also be embraced by other environmental groups if they are able to get the attention of the people and get them to work alongside the missions and goals of the organization towards preserving the natural resources available in the environment.

References

The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay. http://www.gtbay.org/. (Retrieved on July 18, 2014).

Losch, Tracie, and MomiKamahele, “Hawaii: Center of the Pacific” (Pearl City: University of Hawaii Leeward Community College, 2008)

The Water Keeper Alliance. http://waterkeeper.org/. (Retrieved on July 18, 2014).