Watershed Institute
October 23 - 26, 2006
Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center
Columbus Ohio Area

Are you a public works manager, urban planner, stream association member, or water quality professional who has discovered the importance of managing your local water resources at a watershed scale? The Center for Watershed Protection has designed the 2006 Watershed Institute to equip watershed professionals with the tools needed to develop comprehensive watershed plans. This intensive, interactive four-day program will focus on:

a framework to prioritize valuable and sometimes scarce resources such as funding and staff time

field and desktop methods needed to complete a watershed plan from beginning to end

opportunities to interpret real data and how to integrate findings into a watershed plan

practical resources participants can directly use in their professions to affect real change in their communities – this includes specific project investigations such as illicit discharge detection and elimination and contiguous forest evaluation

The Institute offers a unique learning experience. Almost every session has hands-on activities with participants working in small groups throughout the week. Lecturing is kept to a minimum. The training is intended to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to complete comprehensive watershed plans in their home watersheds.

While the majority of attendees are expected to come from the Midwest, watershed professionals from the Rocky Mountains, MidAtlantic and other regions of the country are encouraged to attend as well. Institute participants should have some background in watershed planning, hydrology, water quality or related field.

To maximize watershed wide understanding, “Watershed Teams” that include a combination of watershed organizations, municipalities, and private consultants are strongly encouraged to apply.

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED
If you would like to be added to our wait-list please contact the center at 410-461-8323.

Registration Fee: $950

Non-profit Discounted Fee: $550*
*The Center is pleased to offer discounted registration rates for participants from watershed associations and other non-profits. We will not be offering scholarships beyond these discounted rates.This rate does not apply to government agencies, universities or students.

County Government Employees: Scholarships have been filled. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is offering 10 tuition stipends covering the regular registration fee to any interested county staff on first-come, first-serve basis.

All registration fees are due prior to Institute Check-In. Payment can be made upon arrival if you have notified us beforehand.

• Your registration fee includes four days of instruction; training materials; Continuing Education Units; and breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
• Wednesday lunch on your own
• Your registration fee does not include lodging.
• Registration is for the full four-day program – no partial registrations are being offered.
• Registration is limited to 80 attendees and is first come, first serve.

Once you’ve registered for the Institute, you may reserve lodging at the Deer Creek Conference Center. The registration fee does not include the cost of lodging and participants are responsible for making their own lodging arrangements. We encourage participants to stay onsite at the Deer Creek Conference Center.

Room rates listed above do not include the 13% tax (7% sales tax/ 6% room tax). Ohio based non-profit organizations making reservations must pay through their organizations to receive tax exemption on the state sales tax. 

Guest rooms feature 2 double beds, a balcony or patio, clock radio, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, mini-refrigerator, telephone with voice mail and satellite TV.

All cottages feature 2 bedrooms (1 bedroom with 1 double bed and 1 bedroom with 2 sets of bunk beds), charcoal grill, kitchen, coffee maker, cooking and eating utensils, microwave, stove, living room, satellite TV, and screened-in porch.

The Deer Creek Conference Center is a full service conference facility just 30 minutes south of Columbus. The property contains conference facilities, lodging, a restaurant, a gym, an indoor pool, fitness center, and miles of hiking and biking trails.

In the event that you are unable to attend the Institute after you’ve registered, approved substitutions may be made without penalty. Cancellations made by September 8 are refundable minus a $25 administration fee. Any cancellation received after September 8 is subject to forfeiture of all fees. Refunds will be given only if a replacement from the waiting list fills the position.

We would like to thank our partner River Network who continues to provide support for the Institutes.

We would like to thank our funders who continue to provide support for the Institutes and provide funds for subsidizing registration costs. Funders for this project to date include:

• U.S. EPA Office of Water
• U.S. EPA Region V
• National Association of Counties (NACo)
• FMSM Engineers