brett groves Oct 13, 2006 15:54 pm

Hi Everyone,

I've seen some great information since signing on this listserv, and hope it might be able to help me out. I coordinate a community lead stewardship network of local landowners, hunters, fishers, naturalists, farmers: in general, people who have an interest in an environmentally healthy Essex County. Essex has its benefits/challenges when it comes to the environment: it has some of the lowest percentage natural areas coverage in all of Canada; it has some of the most productive farmlands as well; and it has some of the most diverse ecosystems in all of the country. The program is a provincial one, with one coordinator in each larger municipality (i.e. Essex, Kent, Elgin, Middlesex Counties). Each council differs in its approach to the issues each face. One of the key operating principles is respecting the individual landowner's rights and beliefs: we don't force any issues on the landowner, all our work is voluntary, and we work to influence and lead through the community. One of the key things I need from my council of 12 landowners is a direction/plan/goal, for us to focus our efforts on for the next five to ten years. For the first 10 years the Essex Council was co-coordinated by one person with the Kent County Council. Approximately 2 years ago, the decision was made to have individual coordinators for each council (good news for me!) With the dedicated coordinator, the program has grown, but in a scattered way. I would like to have some focused direction for us to head, but every attempt at discussing a "visioning/brainstorming/ideas" session is met with groans and resistance. One idea that seems to meet our needs is a short questionnaire, in house, to target the councils individual thoughts. I would like to have 10 or so good questions that would help us arrive at a direction for the next five years or so. Has anyone completed such a process? I have some basic questions, but would really like to get at the heart of the matter with the council. It was also suggested to have our partners/funders/permit groups also complete the survey to better identify any missed needs/linkages/opportunities etc. If you have any ideas or could provide me with a copy of anything similar that you have completed, please pass it on. It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, and have a good weekend!
Brett Groves

Stewardship Coordinator
Essex County Stewardship Network
Ministry of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 1168 870 Richmond Street West
Chatham, Ontario, N7M 5J5
Phone: (519) 354-4437
Fax: (519) 354-0313
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ontariostewardship.org/essex