Most news sites simply aim to cover their communities and report the latest stories. The River District News, however, has loftier aspirations: to “help drive an innovative environmental makeover along one of America’s most endangered rivers.”
Rich Haag is communications director for the Catawba River District, the nonprofit group leading the effort to bring sustainable living to a 16,000-acre stretch of the river, the source of drinking water for more than a million people in the Charlotte, N.C. region.
Sponsored by the Catawba River District, the River District News will support the effort by facilitating a community dialogue to share news, give feedback and build a common vision for the area. Their methods of news distribution will include a central website, PTA newsletters, group websites, citizen-activist e- news blasts and community gatherings.
According to Haag, the River District News has already accomplished much in building bridges, growing skills and gaining allies. Over the summer, they laid the groundwork for a successful launch in four parts:
- Building ties with groups, media and freelancers. Relationships are developing with several cornerstone groups active in the River District and officials in three adjacent cities, and the RD News plans to bring them together in early 2011. These groups include the local chapter of the Sierra Club, foundations, and other groups with wide networks. The group is also connecting with local environmental websites and freelancers who will publish photos, video and text about activities within the district.
- Strengthening technical skills. Haag rebuilt and expanded Catawbariverdistrict.org and a second site, and is currently building a third site related to the Catawba River District. He contacts readers using HTML newsletters for mass mailings, as well as YouTube and Facebook for event promotion and coverage.
- Website planning. In an effort to learn from and connect with other websites, Haag has gathered many examples of sites with features that could benefit the RD News.
- Promoting through others’ activities. The CRD has built name recognition for its activities and its news arm through cooperation with other groups. They have sponsored and presented at environmental events in the Charlotte area, and plan to announce the River District News launch at the Northwest Charlotte Chamber’s environmental event in late October.
Though the River District News has made significant progress, they are struggling with common obstacles as well.
“Our two biggest challenges since receiving the New Voices grant will sound familiar: finding more funding and juggling limited time from our volunteers,” Haag said.
The national recession has stopped most construction across the Charlotte region, proving problematic for a funding model that depends largely on new construction. The executive committee has spent 2010 changing the project’s strategy, but not its mission.
“This refocusing has taken many hours of work by all volunteers, including me, to identify and pursue grant opportunities and business sponsorships,” he said. “This funding is also essential for us to continue RD News beyond next spring.”
Haag said the district would promote ways to improve the environment around existing structures, including suburban tract homes, historic village centers and century-old houses built for textile workers.
Next on the District’s agenda is making the move from laying groundwork to building the foundation.
The Plan
- Develop website in two stages – preliminary in Fall 2010, advanced by March 2011
- Meet with local media about content sharing
- Begin monthly email newsletter to community contacts
- Begin individual discussions with group leaders to build a network
- Hold group meetings with multiple leaders
- Begin quarterly meetings with information contributors
- Begin Facebook network development
As for the website, Haag says the first iteration will serve as a stake in the ground and be a talking point in discussions with other groups. It will have core functionality for posting news, promoting activities, linking to others and publicizing the Facebook connection.
The Catawba River District has identified several major funding opportunities, including a Sustainable Communities planning grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development; federal weatherization grants and creation of a job-training center at the ReVenture renewable energy facility.
Haag hopes to capitalize on these opportunities, as they would greatly affect the progress and exposure of River District News.
- Rachel Karas
