Through years of stewardship and community work, Lisa Brush noticed that many professionals in these fields were working with their “heads down;” they were putting in the effort, but their impact was limited by a lack of connection with potential collaborators. This realization eventually lead to the creation of the Huron River Watershed Volunteer Stewardship Network in 1995. What began as small collective of influencers, activists, and stewards laid the foundation for the creation of The Stewardship Network in 2003, inspired by a vision to increase collaboration among communities engaged in ecological stewardship.
Grassroots local efforts, partnerships, and stakeholder involvement in program design blossomed into our flagship leadership model, The Stewardship Network member communities. Based in an ethic of holistic, cooperative ecological responsiveness, Collaborative Conservation Communities are the catalysts for collaboration in local communities. The model has had proven successes in a wide variety of communities and geographies, thanks in part to The Stewardship Network’s robust and individualized support systems that empower each collective to have real, on-the-ground impact in their communities.
Today, The Stewardship Network facilitates countless relationships between individuals and organizations, including community groups, government entities, non-profits, and businesses. At all levels of administration, The Stewardship Network encourages interdisciplinary engagement and invites participants to challenge communicative status quo. By creating channels to share knowledge, stories, and resources, The Stewardship Network creates opportunities to enhance the quality of land, air, and water for all.