Introduction
The 2009 International Seminar on Watershed Management will be held from March 23-April 11, in the southwestern United States. Because of the increasing demand, legal conflict and competing uses and practices that place tremendous pressure on its extremely scarce water supply, the southwestern U.S. is an excellent case study for watershed managers. The seminar is designed for mid-career watershed management professionals who desire to take part in an interactive and intensive training and exchange program on integrated watershed management. The program is sponsored by the US Forest Service International Programs.

Back to top

Seminar Design
The seminar is designed to stimulate interaction and learning on a broad spectrum of issues related to watershed management. Through field site visits, instruction, participant presentations and facilitated discussions, participants will examine various management techniques, planning, monitoring and problem-solving tools for watershed management. Participants will explore different approaches to conflict management and community involvement. The seminar will also address the economic value of water and innovative solutions for sustaining and creating financial incentives that promote best management practices.

The seminar will be held in Arizona and will include visits to several habitat types, including the Sonoran Desert, desert grasslands, ponderosa pine forests, pinyon juniper forest, urban/forest/grassland interface areas, watercourses and riparian areas. Participants will interact with forest and park managers, research hydrologists, conservancies, grazing communities, municipal water distributors and native communities. Along the way, participants will have the chance to interact with each other and share their cultural perspectives.

Back to top

Seminar Themes
1) Integrated planning and assessment for watershed health:

• Participants will have the opportunity to analyze the impact of various land management and land use practices on watershed health.
  
  Field visits will include areas impacted by grazing, forestry, wildfire, recreation/eco-tourism, roads, and mining. Key personnel and experts will address how various practices affect watersheds; will demonstrate how planning, monitoring, and research is conducted in the US; and will discuss best management practices.
  
• Participants will visit the Salt River Project to look at municipal water supply and delivery. Initially established as a water users association in 1903, the Project now delivers nearly 1.2 billion cubic meters of water—much of which originates in watersheds managed by the US Forest Service—annually to a service area in central Arizona.
  
  Topics for discussion will include water rights, municipal water treatment plants, reservoirs, groundwater wells, canals, and waterbanking to help ensure a reliable and adequate supply of water in the future.

• Participants will work on a case study relevant to their home country throughout the seminar and create project work-plan.

2) Community participation and conflict resolution:

• The southwestern United States is an excellent case study for examining conflicts over natural resources, particularly water. Effective natural resource managers are able to couple technical skills with facilitation and communication skills to avert and manage conflicts.
  
  During the seminar, participants will examine how conflict develops over limited and valuable natural resources. They will meet with experts in the field of conflict resolution and will identify skills for averting and managing conflicts. Together, the group will explore problem-solving and facilitation techniques for promoting community involvement when addressing watershed management issues.

3) Economic value of water:

• Often the price of water for the consumer does not reflect its true value. In fact, the cost of chemically treating water can be excessive when compared to the cost of adjusting land-use practices in the upper part of the watershed.
  
  During this seminar, participants will address the costs of providing clean water to communities and explore the benefits of innovative approaches to creating incentives for good management practices along riparian zones and in the wider watershed through three unique case studies: New York City, Mexico and Phoenix.

Back to top

Seminar Timing and Location
The seminar will take place March 23 – April 11, 2009, in Arizona. Participants should plan to arrive at Phoenix Skyharbor International Airport on March 22. The group will spend time in Phoenix and travel to Tucson and Flagstaff. The seminar will conclude with a visit to the Grand Canyon. Participants should plan to depart from Phoenix on April 12. Transportation to/from the airport will be provided for arrival and departure.

Back to top

Seminar Guidelines
The Seminar is a technical and professional course, placing a high demand on the attention and contributions of participants. Participants are expected to actively engage in discussion and work cooperatively with fellow course attendees. The Seminar format includes brief technical sessions, field visits, and experiential and collaborative learning.

Each participant will offer a brief presentation on watershed issues in their home country, providing an opportunity for other participants to recognize the common as well as unique opportunities and challenges facing mangers worldwide.

The Seminar is offered in the English language, so English speaking proficiency is a requirement for course attendance. Selection of participants will be based only on professional and technical competency. The Seminar is open to all interested parties without regard to gender, race, creed, or nationality.

Back to top

Applications
Please contact the seminar administrator at the address below for additional information about the program.

To apply, download this online application and email or fax back to:

Jennifer Peterson
E-mail: jenniferpeterson@fs.fed.us

Back to top

Home | About Us | What's New? | Newsletter | Climate Change | Illegal Logging | Around The Globe | Program Topics | Policy | Disaster | Wings Across the Americas | International Visitor Program | International Seminars | North American Forest Commission
Staff Directory | Search | FAQ | Feedback | Site Map | Partners | Contact Us
Forest Service | USDA

2000 US Forest Service International Programs
Legal Information and Disclaimer
Webmaster