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Capacity Building in The Bay

Best Practices and Lessons Learned

Alexus Stelfox

Mentor: Jeremy Hanson

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About Me

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Major: Geography and Environmental Science,

International Relations

C-StREAM

Chesapeake Bay Research

Community Involvement

Field Experience

Post Grad

Plan to pursue an MA in Environmental Policy or Science

Emphasis on Climate Change

Career Goals

NGO, Non-Profit work in International Climate Relief

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Project Goal

The aim of this project is to find ways to increase Capacity Building for the Chesapeake Bay Program and its partners.

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By having conversations with a variety of organizations, and compiling studies from NGOs in the broader DMV area, we can better understand how to make increase overall efficiency.

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Capacity Building

  • Empower and enable entities to perform more efficiently by engaging in best practices�
  • Allow for more greater scalability for crop and animal yield, while encouraging environmentally friendly solutions�
  • Increase adaptivity to changing circumstances around climate and changing lands�
  • Foster positive and impactful outcomes

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Organizational Capacity

Sweet spot

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M

Education, Farmers, Districts, Politics, Counties

Community

Communication, interpersonality, management, workload, training programs, aptitudes

Workplace

Reliable, consistent, predictable funds coming from multiple sources

Money

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Methodology

Conservation Districts of MD, VA, PA

  • Garrett Soil Conservation District
  • Kent Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Piedmont Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
  • Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Non-profit organizations

  • Chesapeake Bay Commission
  • Chesapeake Bay Foundation
  • Stroud Water Research Center
  • Lancaster Farmland Trust

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My approach was qualitative, an open flow conversation style These questions varying per individual:

  • How have you been able to measure the capacity of your organization?
  • How have you been able to build capacity?
  • What are some of the most relevant factors when implementing BMPs?
  • How do you feel your job relates to the capacity of the organization?
  • What has worked for you/what is your capacity story?

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Enabling Environment

Organization

Individual

  • Policy Framework
  • Flexible and Predictable Funds
  • Increase in engineers, contractors

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  • Communication
  • Building off of staff interests
  • Hiring more conservation planers
  • Fast-Track training program

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  • Soft Skills
  • Focus on community and farmer outreach
  • Accurate data collection

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Competencies:Professional Development

o Clarify self-interest, values, personal qualities, and work style and relate them to career goals

o Actively seek professional development opportunities and explore possible careers

o Actively develop skills aligned with career direction

o Understand the expectations of employers and today’s work environment

o Demonstrate skills and ethical behaviors desired by the profession

o Confidently communicate strengths and skills related to a profession

o Reflect and re-assess career goals and actions

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Discussion

    • Goals for the future of my projects:
      • Continue to contribute to efforts being made towards the Chesapeake Bay.
      • Continue research on Agricultural Pollutants with Maryland Oysters
    • Plans for my future:
      • Continue my education in Environmental Science and hopefully land jobs in the environmental sector focusing on research and education

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Thank You

Jeremy Hanson

Sushanth

Jackie

Whole C-StREAM Team