Timothy Collins, assistant director for research, policy, outreach and
sustainability at the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs at Western
Illinois University, writes a story for the Daily Yonder expressing what his feels is the need for struggling rural areas to get back to basics and focus on sustaining the environment in order to get the communities back on track. Some have already figured this out, he writes.
Humboldt, Kan., "developed an amphitheater along the Neosho River, installed walking trails, fishing areas and river access, improved the park restrooms, were able to improve water quality and educate citizens on water quality protection and more than doubled its grant match for community improvements," Collins writes. "Larned, Kan., cleaned up the Pawnee River area and installed a dock at Camp Pawnee, making it more accessible for fishing, canoeing, and camping. The initial $5,000 grant project was matched with more than $130,000 in additional grant and gift dollars to transform the campground into a place for families and friends to gather in the great outdoors."
Other states have followed suit and are working with rural areas to improve life for residents. In Wisconsin, groups worked with the Menominee Nation to explore how the tribe can "best adapt to changes in the Menominee Forest that are resulting from climate change," Collins writes. In Iowa, groups are working to alleviate concerns about high nitrogen levels caused by agricultural runoff to the Raccoon River.
Humboldt, Kan., "developed an amphitheater along the Neosho River, installed walking trails, fishing areas and river access, improved the park restrooms, were able to improve water quality and educate citizens on water quality protection and more than doubled its grant match for community improvements," Collins writes. "Larned, Kan., cleaned up the Pawnee River area and installed a dock at Camp Pawnee, making it more accessible for fishing, canoeing, and camping. The initial $5,000 grant project was matched with more than $130,000 in additional grant and gift dollars to transform the campground into a place for families and friends to gather in the great outdoors."
Other states have followed suit and are working with rural areas to improve life for residents. In Wisconsin, groups worked with the Menominee Nation to explore how the tribe can "best adapt to changes in the Menominee Forest that are resulting from climate change," Collins writes. In Iowa, groups are working to alleviate concerns about high nitrogen levels caused by agricultural runoff to the Raccoon River.
"Sustainable, self-interested community development may be the last
resort," Collins writes. "We now must link democracy with building and healing local environments.
Healthy and accessible food, green energy, clean water, and affordable
housing are more than amenities. They represent essential human and
community needs that are being denied in times of widening geographic
discrimination. At the same time, they offer opportunities for
smaller-scale, more sustainable community development that can help put
people to work helping themselves and each other."
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