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The White Clay Creek Watershed Association Organization

The White Clay Watershed Association is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the protection and improvement of the environmental quality of the White Clay Creek and valley.

The Association works to improve water quality in local streams, conserve open space, woodlands, wetlands and geological features; protect rare native plant and animal species; aid in the preservation of cultural, historical and archaeological sites; increase outdoor recreation opportunities; and conducts educational programs relating to the environment.

The Association encourages municipalities, through planning, zoning and innovative waste and storm water management, to minimize practices and uses of land that harm the watershed's natural resources, or reduce its environmental quality.

The Association strives to increase public awareness of environmental isssues in the watershed. It works with local government and community leaders to secure changes needed to maintain high standards of natural resource management in the watershed. It seeks to make the area a better place to live and work.

An Organization of Volunteers

The work of the White Clay Watershed Associaton is done by volunteers. Technical assistance is obtained from local experts in science, education, law and government. The breadth of the Association's work accommodates a heterogeneous membership. Generally, the common thread of interest among members is in preserving and improving the area as a desirable place to live and work.

Volunteer work is organized through committees and projects. There are enough to satisfy a broad range of interests. "Streamwatch," for example, is a project which monitors the health of the White Clay Creek, using science to study microscopic water plants and animals. Their condition is a valuable indicator of stream quality and its ability to support fish and provide good drinking water. "Streamwatch" helps detect stream pollution and identify possible sources.

An education committee conducts programs from birdwalks to workshops on environmental subjects. Other volunteers help publicize the work of the Association and prepare its newsletters and brochures. Persons interested in preserving open space can join a committee working on this goal. Other opportunities for volunteer service include exhibits, fund-raising, membership-building, computers, secretarial and legal service, and liaison activities with local government and industry.

Governance and Funding

The White Clay Watershed Association is a non-profit organization established in 1965. Its revenues derive from annual membership dues, from individual and corporate gifts, many of which are tax deductible, and from grants and sale of merchandise.

It is governed by a Board of Directors, each serving for three years, with one-third elected each year at an annual meeting. The officers are President, Vice Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer, and Immediate Past President. They are elected for two-year terms by the Board of Directors.

The primary work of the Association is performed through committees and projects. Committee and project chairs recruit additional members to augment those who volunteer for specific committees and tasks, thus bringing new people into the organization.

The Association's philosophy is that (1) a voluntary organization succeeds through shared establishment of attainable goals and shared effort to realize them; (2) the amount of time available from each member is limited; (3) the Association's work is decentralized to avoid overloading individuals and broaden the base of participation.

Your participation is invited. The White Clay Watershed Association will provide you a rewarding opportunity to work with your neighbors protecting and improving an extraordinary living valley. Click Here for Membership Information

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