Seeking Input on the Lower Trent Conservation Strategic Plan Lower Trent Conservation is seeking your input on the development of a new strategic plan for our organization through an online survey. There are 6 questions – it should only take a few minutes to complete.A strategic plan is an important document to have – one that clearly expresses why we are here, what our goals are, and how we will achieve them. Our first strategic plan was released in 1993, and updated in 2008. We hope to release our new strategic plan in 2018, in time for our 50th anniversary. The new strategic plan will guide us through the next 10 years.We are currently seeking input under 6 areas: drivers of change, values, area of jurisdiction, vision statement, mission statement, and business performance goals.Please send your response by May 5, 2017. We look forward to your input! A. DRIVERS OF CHANGEDrivers of change are the opportunities, challenges and external forces that can affect how we plan for the future. Question Title * 1. Lower Trent Conservation has identified the following drivers of change. Please check all of the phrases that you feel affect how the Conservation Authority should plan for the future. Funding uncertainties Government funding and user fees support Lower Trent Conservation’s natural hazard programs, environmental planning services, and the maintenance of our conservation areas. Youth environmental education and community outreach, while important watershed programs, are not funded by municipal, provincial or federal governments – these programs are only possible through donations and grants. Finding the necessary funding to deliver a comprehensive environmental program will continue to be a challenge. Increased development pressureThe push for growth and development in local municipalities puts more pressure on land and water resources. Pressures from the Greater Toronto Area can also be felt in parts of our watershed. As the amount of available land decreases, development pressures adjacent to sensitive areas increases. As a result, the need for environmental reviews (i.e., studies, re-drafting of plans, peer reviews) and other environmental services is increasing. Climate changeClimate change is the most significant environmental challenge we are facing. It will have a dramatic effect on natural environments, resulting in increased flooding and drought, affecting plant and animal habitats, leading to acceleration in biodiversity loss in some areas. Technology & ScienceTechnology is constantly changing, bringing opportunities to communicate, analyze, map and share information like never before. It changes how we do our business, the types of jobs we have, and creates higher expectations for delivery of services to our customers. It also increases costs as equipment and software often become dated. Likewise, advancements in science bring about new ways of collecting, analyzing, interpreting information to make better watershed management decisions. More legislationLegislation provides for protection of the natural environment and protects people. It’s a good thing, but it increases the complexity of our work and increases costs. We may be asked to deliver new programs and services, develop new policies, and amend administrative processes to comply with new legislation. More people thinking green There is an increased awareness of environmental health and the connection with human health. This increased awareness results in a higher demand for information and services from the public. Changing workforceOrganizations will be dominated by a new workforce, as the baby boomer generation retires. Experienced employees with knowledge of the history of the organization will be replaced with younger, technologically savvy employees with different views, priorities and outlooks. Political priorities Conservation Authority programming is sensitive to federal, provincial and municipal government priorities and related funding (e.g., 2016 Conservation Authorities Act review, climate change, Great Lakes protection, etc.) Habitat lossThe main cause of declining biodiversity is habitat loss – both amount and diversity. As human populations increase, natural areas are destroyed to build and expand communities. Human activity continues to encroach on natural environments, thereby deteriorating and destroying the habitats of countless species. Invasive speciesIncreasing numbers of invasive species are being introduced to our watershed - these species compete with and displace native species. Invasive species can negatively impact our wellbeing and local economy. Species at Risk The list of endangered, threatened, and special concern animals and plants in Ontario grows each year. Declining biodiversity and species extinctions will have a major impact on our planet. What did we miss? B. OUR VALUES Our values are the essence of our identity – our principles, beliefs and philosophy. Our values guide our actions and shape the kind of organization we are. Question Title * 2. Lower Trent Conservation has identified the following values for our organization. Please check all of the values that you feel are important for your Conservation Authority. Remember the importance of a healthy environment Provide excellent customer service that is responsive to community needs Ensure integrity, accountability, and transparency in all that we do Embrace and adapt to change Support staff excellence & wellness Promote partnerships, collaboration & teamwork Strive for continuous improvement Lead by example What did we miss? C. DESCRIPTION OF JURISDICTIONOur area of jurisdiction, covering 2121 square kilometres, covers the watersheds of the eight main tributaries of the Trent River, along with smaller watersheds that flow directly to Lake Ontario and the Bay of Quinte. The watershed region includes the communities of Grafton, Colborne, Brighton, Trenton and Bayside on the southern boundary and Roseneath, Hastings, Campbellford, Stirling, and Ivanhoe to the north. Question Title * 3. What one of these phrases do you feel best describes this region? Trent River Valley Trent Valley Lower Trent Watershed Lower Trent Watershed Region Other suggestions? D. OUR VISIONOur Vision is our dream. It's what we believe are the ideal conditions for our watershed - how things would look if the issues important to us were completely and perfectly addressed. Our Vision Statement should be: Understood and shared by members of the community Broad enough to include a diverse variety of local perspectives Inspiring and uplifting to everyone involved in your effort Easy to communicate - for example, a vision statement is generally short enough to fit on a T-shirt Question Title * 4. Which of the following key concepts do you think should be included in our vision statement? Please select your top 2. Healthy watersheds Healthy natural environment Healthy land & clean water Healthy communities Healthy people Healthy river, streams, shorelines Are there other key concepts or words that should be included? E. OUR MISSIONOur Mission Statement defines the purpose of Lower Trent Conservation. It talks about the present leading to the future (how are we going to achieve our vision). It answers three questions about why we exist: WHAT we do WHO we do it for HOW we do what we do The Mission Statement should be succinct and easy to remember. Question Title * 5. Which of the following key concepts do you think should be included in our mission statement? Please select your top 5. Local Leaders Working with others In partnership Watersheds Land and water Natural environment Educate Protect Conserve Manage Inspire Are there other key concepts or words that should be included? F. OUR BUSINESS PERFORMANCE GOALS To achieve our vision, Lower Trent Conservation must be effective and efficient in how it does business. Question Title * 6. Lower Trent Conservation has identified the following Business Performance Goals for our organization. Please check those that you feel are important for your Conservation Authority. Maintain and enhance a strong working relationship with our municipal partners Seek opportunities for new partnerships across boundaries and organizations to reduce cost, share expertise, and accomplish more Seek funding from a variety of sources, to support existing programs and develop new ones Use science and technology to improve decision making and program delivery Attract and retain talented professional staff Improve the customer experience What did we miss? G. OTHER INFORMATION Question Title * 7. Do you live or work in the Lower Trent Conservation area of jurisdiction? Check all that are applicable. Work in the area Live in the area Own property in the area Other Which municipality? Question Title * 8. Optional Name Company Email Address Question Title * 9. Do you want to be contacted further regarding development of this Strategic Plan? YES NO Thank you for providing input to the development of our new strategic plan. Please stay tuned. We will be seeking further input later in the year as the strategy starts to take shape. Yours in Conservation!If you would like to sign up for Mainstream E-News to receive updates about special events, employment opportunities, and program updates, please click here.Information you provide on this form is collected by Lower Trent Conservation in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA), and will not be used for any purposes other than development of the Lower Trent Conservation strategic plan.Questions about this collection should be directed to:Chief Administrative Officer, 714 Murray St., Trenton, ON K8V 5P4. 613-394-4829. Done
