Natural Resource Management (NRM) connects the economic well being and quality of life of people to surrounding natural areas. Natural Resources include economic resources like oil, minerals, coal, timber, and water, to the wildlife and uncultivated lands which surround a community. Recognizing what value these resources provide for a community is important when considering their management. Natural resources affect the economic, biological, and physical characteristics of GNAR communities long into the future. NRM combines appropriate and well thought out land usage strategies while also incorporating the needs of the local population.
Resources
The National Rural Water Association has a rural water loan fund. Financial assistance goes toward small wastewater or municipal water projects. Funding may be obtained for repairing existing systems, assisting with new projects, or planning new systems.
Utah’s Watershed Restoration Initiative is a Utah-based organization, however its large project database is full of excellent and transferable examples of collaborative projects around water issues. Water-related projects are typically driven by local interest and supported by regional leaders.
The Utah Water Conservation Program is a statewide initiative to help citizens be smarter about water usage. Their website has both water conservation tips, as well as example conservation plans that have been enacted by municipalities. Check out their database of conservation plans below.Case Studies & Additional Research
None...yet!