Key Landcare Principles
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Neighbors helping neighbors – literal neighbors or “communities of interest”
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Personal responsibility and group ownership -- Each person feels personal responsibility for care of the land. Landcare groups identify their own problems and craft their own solutions
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Scientific approach – with help from landscape architects, soil conservationists, biologists, etc.
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Whole-systems thinking -- an ecosystem-based or “integrated natural resource management” approach. None of the neighbors acting alone can solve the problems. This leads to a “We’re all in this together” mindset
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Effective facilitation and coordination – via landcare coordinators/facilitators
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Multiple funding streams -- with accountability and flexibility
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Representative organization structure – supporting broad ownership of decisions and a high level of trust up and down the line
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Apolitical and non-partisan approaches – “middle of the road,” leading to a low level of divisiveness and strong support from “all sides of the aisle”
To view a detailed version of Landcare Principals, click here.
Email Peggy Tadej, Director of Research and Grants or call 202.986.1032 Ext: 224