Our Goals
Crossroads RC&D helps people care for and protect their natural resources in a way that will improve the area's economy, environment, and living standards. It provides a way for people to work together to plan and carry out activities that will make their area a better place in which to live.
The RC&D concept is carried out by joining together diverse groups of volunteers in a partnership to find solutions to their problems. This process involves: identifying problems, establishing goals, developing alternative plans, and implementation of the desired plan.
The following are the goals of Crossroads RC&D:
GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES—LAND CONSERVATION
- FACILITATE ADVANCED ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE OUR DEPENDENCE ON FOREIGN OIL AND HELP OHIO BECOME A LEADER IN PROVIDING ENERGY THROUGH 10 EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES BY 2012
- Create a regional coalition of economic, agricultural, and environmental specialists by 2008 to educate, identify and prioritize opportunities to promote advanced energy efforts in the area
- Work with partners to plan energy related projects
- ASSIST PARTNERS IN PROMOTING 2 AGRICULTURAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CONDUCT 4 TRAINING SESSIONS/FIELD DAYS BY 2012
- Promote Agricultural Education through exposing 100 teachers to Project Food, Land, and People by 2012
- Edit the book “Wills Creek, Our Backyard Watershed” to make it applicable to all
Watersheds in our region, enabling duplication, sales and wider distribution by 2012 - Sponsor 5 Training Workshops for various partners by 2012
- Provide at least 1 annual exhibit for community events promoting natural resources, economic development, or local heritage
- REDUCE CO² EMISSIONS BY DEVELOPING 1 PROGRAM FOR THE PUBLIC
- Explore opportunities for CO² sequestration by 2010
GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES—LAND MANAGEMENT
- FACILITATE THE INSTALLATION OF BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO REDUCE EROSION ON 5000 ACRES OF AGRICULTURAL LAND
- Assist NRCS in implementing Farm Bill programs by serving as a contracting entity for technical service providers
GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES—WATER CONSERVATION
- ASSIST PARTNERS IN MANAGEMENT, COALITION DEVELOPMENT, PLANNING AND IMPLEMEN-TATION OF WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IN 3 WATERSHEDS BY 2012
- Manage 2 grants to reduce acid mine drainage in Huff Run Watershed through installation of one treatment system and support educational efforts
- Assist Yellow Creek Watershed Partnership in watershed planning and obtaining funding for treatment of acid mine drainage
- Assist stakeholders in the Sugar Creek Watershed in networking to improve water quality to meet TMDL requirements
- Explore nutrient trading opportunities for local landowners by 2010
- PROVIDE LOCAL COMMUNITIES INCREASED WATER AVAILABILITY FOR FIRE PROTECTION BY INSTALLING 25 DRY FIRE HYDRANTS BY 2012
- Finalize the Hazard Mitigation Grant
- Sell 3 dry fire hydrant kits at reduced costs for local communities annually
- IMPROVE WATER QUALITY BY DEMONSTRATING ONE NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR ANIMAL WASTE MANAGEMEN
- Develop a network to provide technical assistance in emerging technologies
GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES—COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
- PROVIDE INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO AID THE EXPANSION AND CREATION OF 5 BUSINESSES BY 2012
- Fully implement the Revolving Loan Fund Program
- Provide financial support to local businesses through the activities of Crossroads RC&D
- ASSIST 12 COMMUNITIES IN IMPROVING OR ESTABLISHING COMMUNITY OR RECREATIONAL FACILITIES BY
- Provide administrative assistance in fundraising to 5 community facilities
- PROMOTE HERITAGE TOURISM BY DEVELOPING 3 SPECIALIZED AREA TOUR ROUTES BY
2012- Promote heritage tour routes by providing at least 1 bus tour per route
- Assist 2 local communities in preserving significant cultural heritage facilities through technical assistance and fundraising consultation
- CONDUCT OUTREACH EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO 3 UNDER REPRESENTED COMMUNITIES AND INCREASE COUNCIL DIVERSITY BY 2012
- Provide job opportunities to 4 individuals with a disability through a special outreach program with NRCS by 2009
- INCREASE AGRICULTURAL SUSTAINABILITY BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVE AGRICULTURAL ENTERPRISES AND PROTECTING FARM LAND BY ASSISTING IN THE PRESERVATION OF 5,000 ACRES OF FARMLAND BY CONSERVATION EASEMENTS, PURCHASE, OR DONATION BY 2012
- Provide Technical Assistance to landowners who want to preserve land
GOALS OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES—other
- PROVIDE FOR A RC&D COUNCIL THAT IS 25% MORE SUSTAINABLE BY 2012
- Increase the Council’s annual budget by 25% over 5 years
- Initiate a public relations effort to increase the name recognition of Crossroads RC&D among elected officials and regional leaders
