EXT XFO.0016 - EmpowerU: Citizen Water Monitors Training
Description
Do you care about water issues in Minnesota? Have you ever wanted to talk with a resource manager, local decision maker or elected official about the health of your favorite lake or stream but don’t know how to go about it? You can learn how to influence management decisions! This program helps citizen water monitors and other water related volunteers grow their skills to meaningfully engage decision makers about Minnesota's lake and streams.
At the end of this training you will:
- Understand the roles and levels of government and who to contact regarding stream and lake management.
- Learn to use skills such as influence, power, persuasion, framing, questioning and listening in interactions with decision makers.
- Know where to find reputable information on the status of lakes and streams in your area.
- Have an engagement plan and experience practicing it in a safe, peer-learning environment.
- See yourself as a resource to decision makers on lake and stream management.
- View engagement with decision makers as a norm and encourage others to do it.
- Network with other people passionate to make a difference around lake and stream issues.
Most importantly, you will be able to apply what you have learned in this course to confidently share information with decision makers, give input on policies and plans, and be an active voice in lake and stream management.
Start date online asynchronous modules (2 modules/week) October 26 - November 20, final activity: December 1, 2 and 3 from 10-noon via Zoom.
Need a little more inspiration? Check out this new video Engaging with decision makers: Becoming a volunteer advocate for natural resource management (~6 minutes) to get you started.
Development of this course was funded by the Renewable Resources Extension Act (RREA).
Course contact
Angela Gupta, agupta@umn.edu
Registration questions
Extension Registration, ext-reg@umn.edu
User Name or Password help
UMN Help Desk, HELP@umn.edu, 612-301-4357. Please let them know you are using a guest account.