TLCGoalsBrainstorm

This page is for collecting ideas for expressing TLC goals related to the four public benefits.

One-page public benefits draft (approved by Board 2009 Nov 18) - [|MVB2009.11.12b.doc] Two-page description of the way mission, benefits, goals, strategies, etc interact - [|MissionToActivitiesExample.2009.12.09.doc] MS Word version of notes from our 2009 Dec 15 staff brainstorm - [|GoalsMeetingNotes.2009.12.23.doc] Agenda from Dec 15 brainstorm, which contains information about good goals - [|GoalsMeetingAgenda.2009.12.15.doc]


 * Review instructions**: Please review the goals for the public benefits on the following schedule. Your job is to refine (primarily) and critique (with proposed changes to improve them) the goals, and to add any new ideas you have. The objective is to have 2-3 goals (at most) for each benefit that we can present for board discussion at the 2010 Jan 30 retreat.

There are four time periods and four benefits - look for your initials and review the benefit in the column heading during the period in the row heading. ** Click on the link in the column heading to go to the corresponding benefits page. **

Kevin and Tandy are not assigned to specific review periods and will monitor comments periodically and provide final review after 15 Jan.

Remember, you have to log in to write on the wiki (instructions sent by e-mail). **Please coordinate with your partner (person in same box as you) so that you don't write at the same time.** Please put your initials after any entries or comments you make.

I also recommend keeping a copy of your comments in a Word or other file on your computer.

If you're nervous about writing on the wiki, don't sweat it - it's easy - see the New to Wikis? page.

DN || EC JM || JS TR || LAC BH || BH || WT DN || EC JM || JS TR || TR || LAC BH || WT DN || EC JM || JM || JS TR || LAC BH || WT DN ||
 * || Wildlife Habitat || Clean Water || Local Farms || Connecting People ||
 * **4-5 Jan** || WT
 * **7-8 Jan** || LAC
 * **11-12 Jan** || JS
 * **14-15 Jan** || EC

REMEMBER ... A goal is a formal statement of the desired effect of our conservation activities. Well-defined goals are ...
 * linked to targets (public benefits) ... directly associated with one of our public benefits
 * impact-oriented ... represents the desired future status of the public benefit ... when are we "finished?"
 * measurable ... can be reported in some quantitative way (totals, fractions, percentages, etc.)
 * time-limited ... achievable within a specific period of time
 * specific ... defined clearly so that everyone involved will have the same understanding of what the words in the goal mean


 * OLDER ITEMS BELOW - DO NOT EDIT BELOW THIS LINE - THIS IS OLD STUFF, FOR THE RECORD - GO TO THE SEPARATE PAGE FOR EACH BENEFIT, WHICH IS LINKED TO THE TOP OF THE TABLE.**


 * //BACKGROUND AND DIRECTION//**

We've spent time defining the public benefits. The next step is setting goals for each of those benefits.

Well-defined goals drive the activities of an organization and are the basis of impact measures describing the organization's progress towards its mission - it's hard (impossible?) to measure impact if you don't know where you're headed.

A goal is a formal statement of the desired effect of our conservation activities. Well-defined goals are ...
 * linked to targets (public benefits) ... directly associated with one of our public benefits
 * impact-oriented ... represents the desired future status of the public benefit ... when are we "finished?"
 * measurable ... can be reported in some quantitative way (totals, fractions, percentages, etc.)
 * time-limited ... achievable within a specific period of time
 * specific ... defined clearly so that everyone involved will have the same understanding of what the words in the goal mean

One way to think about goals it to visualize what you'd like to see in the future ... not how you get there or the activities needed to secure the vision, but "simply" what it is you'd like to see. For example, you might like the Triangle to always have some farmland. Then take that vision further ... how much farmland? by when? any particular kind of farmland? (how do you make these decisions? what kind of information do you need?) You might like everyone in the Triangle to have access to a public nature preserve within a certain distance, or all grocery stores to sell locally-grown produce.

Think of things like that and write them down on this page - I'd (george) like to have your thoughts by the end of September, in preparation for further discussion during October. Don't censor yourself - this is a brainstorm. You have to sign in to write on the page - the sign in link is in the upper right corner. Once you're signed in, just click Edit, write what you want, and then Save.

Also, if you know of any potential partners that we might enlist toward attaining the goal, please list them as well.

Please put your initials after any entries or comments you make.

If you're nervous about writing on the wiki, don't sweat it - it's easy - see the New to Wikis? page.

For your information, this approach follows a process called the [|Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation] (it's probably worth at least a quick skim at this time) that was developed by a consortium of conservation organizations called the [|Conservation Measures Partnership] and including The Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and the African Wildlife Foundation.

We (Tandy & george) have scheduled discussion on goals as follows ... 6 October 2009 - program directors meeting 13 October 2009 - staff meeting 4 Nov 2009 - Conservation Strategies Committee 18 Nov 2009 - board 30 Jan 2010 - TLC board retreat

**Some Examples from Other Programs**
Maryland's Forest for the Future - see page 3 - http://www.dnr.state.md.us/naturalresource/spring2008/forests.pdf --

NY Farmland Conservation Program to Help Improve Water Quality - http://www.dec.ny.gov/environmentdec/25551.html --

Chesapeake Bay Forest Buffers http://www.chesapeakebay.net/forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=14780 http://www.chesapeakebay.net/status_forestbuffers.aspx?menuitem=19877 --

The Nature Conservancy http://www.nature.org/aboutus/howwework/cbd/files/cbd_brochure_en.pdf (This is a nice, short read that connects mission all the way to specific projects.)

//Mission// The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to preserve the plants, animals and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive. //Vision// The Nature Conservancy envisions a world where forests, grasslands, deserts, rivers and oceans are healthy; where the connection between natural systems and the quality of human life is valued; and where the places that sustain all life endure for future generations. **every major habitat type on Earth.**
 * //Goal//**
 * By 2015, The Nature Conservancy will work with others to ensure the**
 * effective conservation of places that represent at least 10 percent of**

--

World Wildlife Fund http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/  By 2020 WWF will conserve 19 of the world's most important natural places and significantly change global markets to protect the future of nature.
 * Goal**

More specific ...


 * Footprint Goals** http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/footprint/
 * By 2020, humanity’s global footprint falls below its 2000 level and continues its downward trend, specifically in the areas of:

> - Energy and carbon > - Commodities > (crops, meat, fish and wood) > - Water


 * By 2050, humanity’s global footprint stays within the Earth’s capacity to sustain life and the natural resources of our planet are shared equitably

By 2020, populations of the most ecologically, economically and culturally important species are restored and thriving in the wild.
 * 2020 Species Goal** http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/

--

Maui Coastal Land Trust - http://www.mauicoastallandtrust.org/strategic-plan.php See especially "Goals, Strategies, & Benchmarks" --

Wilderness Land Trust - http://www.wildernesslandtrust.org/our-goal.html See first goal - quantifiable, but no date. --

National Campaign to Reduce Teen Pregnancy - http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/about-us/our-mission.aspx 

Mission
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy seeks to improve the lives and future prospects of children and families and, in particular, to help ensure that children are born into stable, two-parent families who are committed to and ready for the demanding task of raising the next generation. Our specific strategy is to prevent teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy among single, young adults. We support a combination of responsible values and behavior by both men and women and responsible policies in both the public and private sectors. If we are successful, child and family well-being will improve. There will be less poverty, more opportunities for young men and women to complete their education or achieve other life goals, fewer abortions, and a stronger nation.

Goal
When The National Campaign was launched in 1996, we set a goal of reducing the teen pregnancy rate by one-third over 10 years. It now appears as though the nation will achieve this ambitious goal. Despite these declines, the teen pregnancy rate remains far too high. Consequently, in 2006, The National Campaign set another goal—to reduce the teen pregnancy rate by another one-third between 2006 and 2015.


 * //WILDLIFE HABITAT//**

Natural areas and well-managed forests support healthy ecosystems and balance our built environment by providing habitat for native plants and animals. This habitat supports opportunities for research and education that reveal how human activities change the natural world that we depend on for food, air, water, and our very lives.

TLC will • identify and protect important natural areas and managed forests • require conservation plans on all TLC-protected natural areas and managed forests • encourage and help partner organizations protect such land.

POTENTIAL GOALS

Protect all Significant Natural Heritage Areas by 2025. [ Need to find out what current % protected is ]  (gh) >>>My initial reaction is "Yes, we should make that a goal." On further reflection, I thought this this could lead to a "postage stamp" effect, with small unconnected conservation tracts scattered throughout the region. That would seem to negate the purpose of the priority areas, which is to concentrate conservation and have more of an impact. Of course, without analysis of the SNHAs (where they are, their size, what's around them, etc) it's difficult to go too far with these discussions. Perhaps the goal could be graduated by the type of SNHA - national significance, state significance, county significance, local significance. I could also see a situation where the SNHA goal could be connected to the Stream Buffers goal under Clean Water -- most SNHAs will have a stream component, so if our goal is an extensive network of stream buffers, then these SNHAs could be connected, nagating the "postage stamp" effect.

Update Natural Heritage Inventories every 12 years. [ Need list of last updates for each county ]  (gh)


 * //CLEAN WATER//**

Abundant clean water is essential. People drink water, eat fish that grow in it, and use it for agriculture, industry, and recreation. Clean water is also an essential component of habitat for native plants and animals. Population growth in our community increases demand for clean water – we use more than ever before – while associated pollution has compromised the supply.

TLC reduces threats to clean water by • protecting land along streams • practicing and encouraging land management that keeps soil and pollutants out of streams • leading the development of more effective, collaborative approaches to protecting water.

POTENTIAL GOALS

90% of streams in the Triangle have well-managed buffers by 2030. [ What defines "well-managed?" What % of streams are currently bounded by forests, grassland, etc? ]  (gh)

TLC will protect or catalyze the protection of 200 miles of land along streams each year. [ What's current rate? Is this even possible? ] (gh)


 * //LOCAL FARMS & FOOD//**

Well-managed farms and associated woodlands enhance our communities by producing food, wood products, and other crops; by sustaining rural agricultural economies; and by providing clean water, wildlife habitat, scenic vistas, and educational opportunities. Local farms can also supply fresh food to local markets. Yet, farms and their heritage are vanishing from our landscape; once gone, they are unlikely to return.

TLC will • work with farm owners to protect their land so they can stay in business • require conservation plans on all TLC-protected farms • provide opportunities for education, research, and food, crop, and timber production on TLC-owned farmland • encourage and help partner organizations protect farmland that may be used for these activities.

POTENTIAL GOALS

All people in the Triangle are within 30 minutes (driving?) of a farmers' market. [ GIS analysis based on roads and farmers market locations ] (gh) By 2020, 20% of restaurants and grocery stores in the Triangle purchase and sell some food from local farms. [ Don't know where data would come from. ] (gh) 20% of land in the Triangle is in farms. [ Satellite data or present use value information; what is current cover of farmland? ] (gh) 90% of undeveloped prime farmland is protected by 2050. [ Use soils data to determine what current status is ] (gh)

//**CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE**//

Connecting people with nature is essential as we look to balance our increasingly indoor, urban lives. Opportunities for outdoor exercise, fresh air, contemplation, and relief from stress support our health and vibrancy while reminding us of our place in the natural world.

TLC increases opportunities to make healthy choices and practice good stewardship by • protecting natural areas, well-managed farms and forests, and land along streams • creating trails, greenways, community gardens, and related education centers • helping create parks and regional land and water trail systems • working with partners to ensure that all people have convenient access to these amenities.

POTENTIAL GOALS

Each county as a facility like the Irvin Educational Farm by 2025. (gh)

All people in the Triangle are within 15 minutes (walking?) of a greenway / trail / canoe access point by **date**. [ GIS analysis ] (gh)

All people in the Triangle are within 30 minutes (driving?) of a publicly accessible natural area **date**. [ GIS analysis ] (gh)

//**ANY OTHER COMMENTS?**//