Get ready to join in on the EPA Watershed Academy 44th webcast seminar, ”Working Together to Address the Effects of Climate Change on Water Resources” 2-hour audio webcast, Tuesday, October 27, 2009. Times are: 1:00-3:00 p.m. Eastern time, 12:00-2:00 p.m. Central, 11:00-1:00 Mountain and 10:00-12:00 Pacific.
You are encouraged to register for the webcast here.
Climate change has been identified as one of EPA’s top priorities and the Agency is working to define strategies and actions to address climate change. EPA’s “National Water Program Strategy: Response to Climate Change,” posted at www.epa.gov/ow/climatechange/strategy.html, provides basic information on climate change, the water-related effects of climate change, and the implications for EPA’s National Water Program.
Tune into this Webcast to learn the latest about what EPA is doing, as well as how Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program is developing climate change vulnerability assessments, adaptation plans, and indicators under EPA’s Climate Ready Estuary (CRE) program. Webcast participants are eligible to receive a certificate for their attendance. The Webcast presentations are posted in advance at www.epa.gov/watershedwebcasts and participants are encouraged to download them prior to the Webcast.
Instructors:
Michael Shapiro, Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. EPA’s Office of Water
Karen Metchis, Senior Climate Advisor, U.S. EPA’s Office of Water
Lisa Beever, Director, Charlotte Harbor National Estuary Program, Florida
The Watershed Academy Web is a set of self-paced training modules that represent a basic but broad introduction to watershed management. This program’s goal is to provide useful information to local and state/tribal efforts aimed at improving the health of our Nation’s waters by protecting and managing their watersheds.
These training modules cover the most important watershed management topics, about which watershed managers, local officials, involved citizens, decision makers, and others should have at least an introductory level of knowledge. Web modules resemble interactive guest lectures by leaders in watershed management. Unlike an average technical paper, many modules are visually rich and contain 25 to 50 color illustrations and photos. A module typically contains many links for those seeking greater detail, while module-specific glossaries are there for beginners. Self-tests enable trainees to check their retention and see immediate results.
The length and complexity of each module varies, but most are at the college freshman level of instruction and require a ½ hour to 2 hours each to complete. Completing a series of 15 of these modules earns the Watershed Academy Web Training Certificate.
The multiple disciplines covered in the Watershed Academy Web modules are grouped into six watershed training themes (below) that were selected by watershed practitioners from local and state governments, federal agencies, and universities:
Introduction/Overview. These modules introduce the principles of the watershed approach and the value of working at a watershed level.
Watershed Ecology. These modules show that watersheds are natural systems that provide substantial benefits to people and the environment when they are kept in good condition.
Watershed Change. These modules describe both natural and human-induced changes in watersheds, and compare normal changes with changes of concern.
Analysis and Planning. These modules address how watershed planning, monitoring, and assessment are important first steps toward solving problems.
Management Practices. These modules show how watershed management challenges such as urban runoff, cropland management, forestry, and other issues are addressed by techniques that reduce environmental impacts.
Community/Social Context. These modules cover social issues, communications, relevant laws and regulations. They concentrate on the human element of watershed management.
The Watershed Academy was started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Water in 1994 to provide training courses and educational materials on the fundamentals of a watershed approach. Our target audience includes local, state, tribal, and federal officials as well as citizens and private practitioners of watershed management. The Watershed Academy has four main components:
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