THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, January 23, 1996 TAG: 9601230240
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DEBBIE MESSINA, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 83 lines
Many of the region's environmental groups are joining forces to help protect natural resources and each other.
Called the Tidewater Environmental Network, the umbrella organization of private agencies began meeting in the fall to better share information among themselves and with the public.
At least one member organization found immediate results.
The fledgling Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation wasn't sure where to find grant money last year to fund its new wildlife preserve in Portsmouth or how to write a proposal for the money.
But at the inaugural meeting of the Tidewater Environmental Network, foundation officers were introduced to one of the region's premier environmental grant writers.
About two weeks later, as a result of the collaboration, an application was submitted for money from the state's license plate fund. A state committee recently recommended the project receive $13,425 for designing and building trails, benches and signposts in the pristine area.
``The first meeting paid off big time for us,'' said Randi Strutton, foundation member. ``It's amazing what you can do when you hook up with people with like interests.''
That's the kind of results organizers of the new network hope to get regularly.
``We need to put our strengths together, especially in these times of shrinking dollars,'' said Mary Heinricht, of the Southeastern Association for Virginia's Environment (SAVE).
SAVE is the lead organization behind TEN. SAVE, at least in TEN's formative stage, is picking up the mailing costs and providing administrative leadership.
Two dozen groups with environmental concerns are participating in the network. While some have clear environmental agendas like the Audubon Society, Sierra Club and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, others like the Princess Anne Women's Club and the American Association of Retired Persons tackle environmental issues as well as their own broader agendas.
Another two dozen groups have been invited to join.
The network seeks to enhance communication between Hampton Roads environmental groups, develop a speakers bureau and provide training.
A network's basic premise is sharing information and expertise.
TEN is trying to organize a telephone tree and a fax tree for quick dissemination of information. It also is starting an electronic newsletter or bulletin board.
TEN also hopes to train more people as public speakers to represent environmental viewpoints at government hearings and community meetings.
``Very few voices actually speak to the policymakers,'' Heinricht said.
``We need to get more faces out there talking. We need to let people know that environmental issues are of general concern to citizens, it's not just radical groups. It's regular people with mortgages and kids and yards.''
To train speakers, the network is forming its own Toastmasters public speaking club, which will meet for the first time next month.
``First we need to get information to citizens about what's going on,'' Heinricht said. ``Then they need to speak to lawmakers when they need to hear from them.''
Another goal is coordinating efforts to win rapidly dwindling grant money.
Heinricht explains how two groups have grant money to conduct pollution control programs for residents along the Lynnhaven River. This duplication, she said, is not the best use of money and will unlikely be repeated in the future due to limited funding.
``There are too few resources around for us to be competing with each other for grants,'' she said. ``We need to put our strengths together. It seems the more coalitions you have, the better chance you have to get money.''
By pulling together groups, network organizers also hope to start thinking and acting more regionally.
``The bottom line is,'' said John Duell, Norfolk's Clean Community coordinator, ``it's going to be a place to get a wide range of people involved in sharing ideas and promoting a more regional approach to problem solving.
``Why duplicate efforts, when we can share ideas and resources?'' MEMO: For information about the Tidewater Environmental Network, call
460-0750.
by CNB