Try This!
 RiverScape
2003 - Celebrating the Cuyahoga River
RiverScape was held September 6th in Mantua, Ohio. Partners
representing the Upper Cuyahoga River Watershed Task Force, with OSU
Extension leading the effort, came together to educate the general public
about water resource protection. Activities included a kid's casting
contest, an electrofishing demonstration, stream monitoring, an enviroscape
and streamulator model, and educational posters and booths with a special
kid's art and wildlife table. Nearly 200 people attended to learn more
about watersheds and how to protect their local river, stream, or lake.
This event was a fantastic way to spotlight the Cuyahoga River as an
American Heritage River and National treasure.
Here are some tips for putting together an event like RiverScape
from Dana Oleskiewicz (Ohio State University Extension):
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Start the planning early and have regular, short meetings that start
and end on time to discuss ideas.
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Add numerous people from local and state organizations to the planning
effort.
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Provide timely meeting minutes to the committee with action items
and deadlines highlighted to help members manage their tasks.
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To increase your attendance at the event, combine it with another
local festival or fair (most communities have one). RiverScape was
in conjunction with the Mantua Potato Festival, which really added
to the success.
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Elect a liaison to attend the festival meetings to assist with the
coordination of your activities with those of the festival.
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Be sure that your timeline for task completion is workable and keep
close oversight on members and what they have agreed to accomplish.
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Advertise widely using local newspapers, flyers in community businesses,
and through your regular channels (i.e. mailing lists). Ask the festival
committee to also advertise. Both the community festival and your event
will benefit.
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Be sure to track the number of visitors to assist in celebrating
your success.
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Record any suggestions for the following year on the day of the event
as the thoughts occur and are discussed among the committee members.
Follow-up the event with an evaluation meeting to further discuss ideas
for improvement. These can be recorded and archived for reference when
planning the event the next time.
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Most importantly, have fun!
Below Left: Phil Hillman with the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources holds up a fish collected during electrofishing.
Below Right: A display of the member organizations in the Upper Cuyahoga River
Watershed Task Force.
 
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