Valuing people and building capacity

People are our most important natural asset, vital to the ongoing management, rehabilitation and restoration of our rivers and the communities (ecological and human) that depend upon them. The ARRC is committed to supporting people and valuing individuals and groups working in river management.

This part of our site highlights current initiatives that seek to network, build capacity and encourage people, from children through to adults, to care for our rivers by sharing knowledge and working together.  The first link we have provided is about what motivates us to do what we do.

What motivates people to do what they do?

Dan Pink provides a lively animated disussion around research that shows it is not money that motivates people to do what they do, but rather having autonomy to follow their ideas, mastery of particular skills and, most important, a sense of purpose.  Click here for more.

Kids Teaching Kids

In an effort to Inspire Future Environmental Leaders the Kids Teaching Kids initiative is continuing to build  momentum. To date, this successful program has involved over 15,000 students  representing every Australian State and Territory and countries around the world in learning from each other about water, rivers and caring for their environment. This year Kids Teaching Kids will be accessible to every school in Australia. The program will support local Kids Teaching Kids events in their own region, removing the costly need to travel big distances to be part of a kids conference. It will be open to all primary and secondary schools including government, catholic and independent schools in any Australian State or Territory. Why not visit the website and see if students in your area can participate in one of these fantastic events.

Peter Cullen Trust Leadership Program

‘Bridging Water Science and Policy’
The Peter Cullen Trust is a new charitable organisation set up to support programs that continue the work of the late Professor Peter Cullen. Peter was one of few people able put the science of water management into plain speaking, and be heard…

“the champion of the rivers who led the debate on the national water crisis and helped revolutionise how Australians think about it”

Applications are open for the Trust’s 2010 leadership program, designed to train a small group of water scientists and policy experts to work together to achieve measurable outcomes bridging water science and policy. Full details are on the website (www.petercullentrust.com.au) and information packs are available from office@petercullentrust.com.au. Applications close on 1 July 2010.

Community of Practice for Environmental Water Managers

If you are active in the field of environmental water management, whether through practice, management, policy development or research you can sign up as a member to access the Environmental Water Managers Community of Practice. The objective of this community is to…

“improve the profession and practice of environmental water managers to achieve better environmental outcomes”

This Community of Practice provides members with an exclusive website hosting forums, resources and information, as well as providing direct contact with other environmental water managers. There is also an email newsletter as well as regional events convened by Community of Practice facilitators and focusing on issues members say are important to them.