Capacity

  • Differing levels of capacity among local officials
  • Differing opportunities to increase knowledge at all levels of understanding
  • High turnover among local officials
  • Competing interests and limited resources (people, time, money)
  • Consistent and focused state and federal program implementation at the local level

Public Interest and Opinion

  • Distinct regional needs (due to the size, geography and civic and political complexity of the watershed)
  • Historical lack of focus on conservation and natural resource issues
  • Local behavior norms related to conservation actions
  • Local knowledge of and support for environmental protection and restoration activities
  • Local awareness of climate change and associated changing environmental conditions
  • Local cultures of excellence that showcase outstanding leaders and initiatives
  • Competing interests and limited attention
  • Political will

Information Tracking and Assessment

  • Access to actionable and reliable information
  • Accurate measurement and clear communication of positive changes in the watershed from natural resource, economic and cultural perspectives