Managers can encourage community leaders to participate in the project and perhaps invite them to join an advisory council. The results of this information gathering and issue identification phase can be effectively summarized in a fact sheet, brochure, or short report and used to expand community interest in the project. Shaping a Future for Aquidneck Island. The video was shown on local cable television and at local meetings. Strong leadership, vision, and successful actions build and sustain interest through all phases of a watershed management project.
Good leaders know how to set things in motion and are committed to making their vision a reality.
They empower and excite people to keep them involved in a project. Clear, compelling visions developed through an inclusive and participatory process will bring people together to focus their efforts on specific goals. On Aquidneck Island, the community has a vision of being able to walk or ride a bicycle from one end of the island to the other. This vision has brought together bikers, horseback riders, walkers, and runners to develop a plan to link open space throughout the island. A final key to building long-term support for watershed projects is getting results.