Section 5. Looking Out For the Watershed – Who is Involved?

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS
As noted throughout this report, nonprofit organizations are involved in many activities in the Schuylkill watershed. They vary in their missions and programs, geographic orientation, size, expertise and financial resources. Some of the things they do include:

• Conserving land and assuming responsibilities as land managers;
• Restoring environmentally degraded sites;
  Preserving and managing historically significant buildings and other structures;
• Helping communities preserve their natural and cultural resources;
• Serving as advocates for new governmental policies and programs;
• Monitoring environmental conditions, maintaining data bases and disseminating information;
• Making the public aware of important issues, and running educational programs for people of all ages;
• Raising funds for capital improvement projects;
• Undertaking research on the watershed ecosystem;
• Facilitating communication and decision-making among different interest groups;

Many nonprofits can respond quickly to opportunities, often before government. They develop innovative approaches to problem-solving. They provide a connection to people and an important link between individuals and government. They serve as a means by which individuals can become engaged in worthy causes to improve the quality of life in the watershed and the region.

Watershed-Based Conservation Organizations
Although often involved in a variety of activities, their general focus is watershed protection. Geographic orientation may be an individual tributary, several sub-watersheds or the entire Schuylkill watershed. Examples: Eastern PA Coalition for Abandoned Mine Reclamation, French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, Green Valleys Association, Perkiomen Conservancy, Schuylkill Headwaters Association, Schuylkill River Greenway Association, Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association.Regional and Community-Based

Conservation Organizations
Established to serve the needs of the region or one of its communities, these organizations address a spectrum of resource protection needs that include watersheds along with other concerns such as agricultural lands, woodlands, rare and endangered species, wetlands and historic places. Examples: Berks County Conservancy, Lower Merion Conservancy, Montgomery County Land Conservancy, Natural Lands Trust and Wildlands Conservancy.National and Statewide

Organizations with Regional Offices
These organizations bring a national or statewide perspective to the Schuylkill watershed; their work is often undertaken in affiliation with regional and local organizations. Examples: The Nature Conservancy, Pennsylvania Environmental Council and The Conservation Fund.

Site-Based Organizations
Initially formed to assume stewardship responsibilities for a specific site that may have historic and/or environmental significance, their activities often extend to the surrounding area, when it provides an important context for the site. Examples: John Bartram Association, Phoenixville Iron Canal and Trails Association and Schuylkill Canal Association.

Environmental Education Centers
Using their collections, exhibits, grounds, laboratories and other resources, such Centers provide many kinds of educational experiences, both on- and off-site. Examples: Academy of Natural Sciences and Schuylkill Environmental Education Center.

Research Institutions
With scientific staff in the biological and physical sciences, these institutions undertake research projects that lead to better understanding of watershed ecosystems and the measures required to properly manage them. Examples: Patrick Center for Environmental Research and Stroud Water Research Center.

Economic Development Organizations
These organizations often focus on revitalization of older communities through reinvestment in public spaces such as riverfront parks and trails, and buildings that will attract new business, residents and visitors. Examples: Manayunk Development Corporation, Schuylkill Development Corporation, Phoenixville Economic Development Corporation and Preservation Pottstown, Inc.

Foundations
Public and private foundations are important funding sources for many preservation, education, planning, research and reinvestment initiatives undertaken by nonprofit organizations and communities in the watershed. Examples: The William Penn Foundation and Claneil Foundation.

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