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INITIATIVE <br />FOUNDATION <br /> <br />"We don't manage resources, we manage human behavior. The resources will take care <br />of themselves just fine. It's the human influence we interject on the resources that cause <br />the problem." John Sumption, Cass County Water Planner <br /> <br />The Initiative Foundation is implementing an integrated Environmental Stewardship <br />Initiative that will positively impact communities throughout the fourteen counties of <br />Central Minnesota. Our environmental initiative consists of the following five <br />components: <br /> <br />· The Healthy Community Partnership (HCP) Program: The Healthy Communities <br /> Partnership program is the flagship initiative of our community development efforts. <br /> Through this multi-year training and assistance program we provide multi- <br /> generational teams with the tools, education and resources they need to develop <br /> integrated strategic plans. Once a shared vision is reached and plans are in place, <br /> community leaders stand ready to implement the environmental, economic, and social <br /> well-being goals necessary to build sustainable communities. Currently over 65% of <br /> the HCP plans include environmental goals addressing resource conservation, <br /> planned growth and sustainable development. To date, over 500 people, representing <br /> 33 teams from over 50 communities have participated in the HCP program. <br />· The Healthy Lakes Partnership (HLP) Program: We have adapted our HCP <br /> curriculum to provide a leadership and capacity building program for members of <br /> lake and river associations in Central Minnesota. Supported by The McKnight <br /> Foundation and the Laura Jane Musser Fund, this integrated assistance program trains <br /> local leaders to develop comprehensive lake management plans. When they complete <br /> the training, teams then become eligible for follow-up funding to implement the goals <br /> identified in their plan. To date 187 people, representing 22 associations have <br /> participated in the program. <br />· The Healthy Organizations Partnership (HOP) Program: The HOP program is a <br /> newly formed initiative, supported by the Otto Bremer Foundation, that increases the <br /> capacity of regional non-profit organizations so they can more effectively carry out <br /> their respective missions. We have also received additional financial support from <br /> The McKnight Foundation to run a special round of HOP training for eight <br /> environmental conservation-based organizations. <br />· Community Wastewater Treatment Assistance: The Foundation, supported by The <br /> McKnight Foundation and in partnership with the University of MN Extension <br /> Service, will provide technical and financial support to rural communities and lake <br /> associations considering creative and cost-effective wastewater treatment methods. <br /> <br /> G ENTR~L MINNESOTA'S <br /> I N ITL~.TIVE FUND <br /> <br /> 40~ FIRST STREET SE ! <br /> <br /> LITTLE F,~LLS, ~N 56345 <br /> PHONE: 320.632.9255 <br /> <br /> ! F~'~X: 320.632.9258 <br /> <br /> <br />