Next Meeting |
Date |
December 10, 2008 |
Time |
1pm to 3pm |
Location |
Chelan Fire Hall &
via teleconference |
Agenda |
|
The mission of IRIS is to advance the development of sustainable rural communities and natural resource-based economies by facilitating research, education and community development projects that effect positive change within the agricultural and natural resource sectors. IRIS is a standing committee of the NCW Resource Conservation & Development Council.
What's New !!! |
September 2008 |
|
NCW Homegrown Ski Areas DVD - preview showings. Locations TBA.
|
WA Biodiversity Council Grant Awarded |
Tracy Walsh hired as IRIS program assistant through the Icicle Fund Capacity Building Grant |
August 2008 |
Nancy Warner hired as IRIS program coodinator through the Icicle Fund Capacity Building Grant |
Education
Specialized short courses, workshops, seminars, and conferences that address issues of importance to the community in sustainable farming, forestry and ranching, natural resource-based industry and rural communities.
Research
Projects that address gaps and regional needs, e.g., conducting surveys and synthesizing information that other entities are not equipped or motivated to take on, supporting business research, and other related activities.
Community Development
Promoting socially responsible human and community development that will improve conditions and advance sustainable rural communities, e.g., helping organizations organize and facilitate collaborative strategic planning.
Current IRIS Programs
The Nature of Place in North Central Washington
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Picturing Nature – Creating photo essays that celebrate the diversity of life we see today, e.g., The Nature of NCW
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Gathering Our Voice - Gathering and sharing inspiring success stories about the land, people, and economy that can be used to inform future actions
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Looking for Change - Working with landowners and schools to create photo monitoring trails that engage people in documenting landscape change
Local Food Systems
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Habitat Farming Enterprise Program; developing economic remuneration model for orchards in the Entiat River watershed
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Organizing Stewardship Success workshops and fieldtrips that highlight positive outcomes and provide training in innovative land stewardship practices
Healthy Rural Lands
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Working with the Washington Biodiversity Council to implement recommendations from the Healthy Lands Initiative, e.g., NCW Biodiversity Council, NCW Stewardship Cooperative
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Facilitating protection of critical farm and timberlands by sharing and distributing information on incentive programs
Initiative for Rural Innovation & Stewardship
Connecting People to Facilitate Positive Change
P. O. Box 4563
Wenatchee, WA 98807
