International Countryside Stewardship Exchange

REMARKS: TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COUNTRYSIDE STEWARDSHIP EXCHANGE
J. Glenn Eugster, USEPA, Office of Sustainable Ecosystems & Communities
November 1997

Why is a federal agency such as EPA interested in the Countryside Stewardship Exchange?

1) Practical experience working with communities

2) Offers an opportunity to return to interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems and seizing opportunities. An approach that has vast potential. Advance the Exchange to see how it works in different situations such as:
* In a place---large ecosystem/ landscape over an extended time period--multiple exchanges within a service/ regulatory infrastructure
* Link visioning with implementation and assessment of outcomes and results
* Change institutional/ organizational mindsets about how to work with communities; build local capability; short and long-term relationships; and shift from a hierarchical to matrix form of management approach to land and water stewardship

3) Presents a role for the federal government---other than just giving grants. An alternative way to provide communities with financial, technical and information assistance.
* Empower and help people to help themselves
* Target services/ service organizations to places
* Orchestrate the services/ activities of multiple service organizations

4) Provides outside expertise and local leadership/ direction

5) Exchange process (an RFP/ selection process) helped our community/ regional organizations organize themselves and their needs-----both the Exchange communities and the second place finishers.

6) Charette approach offers focused interaction. The holistic concept allows for addressing environmental, community and economic goals simultanesouly.
Alternative to environmental, community, economic decision-making. Current approach falls short--produces technical plans without a heart and soul.

Timing coincides with a fundamental ground shift in the way EPA is looking at environmental protection and its relationship with communities---this is one of the next generation of environmental protection and sustainable development tools and approaches.