Edison Tapalla

Environmental Issues

T O P I C:

Role of Community Participation in creek restoration and potential for site.

Before one can define the role of the community in the Sisters Creek restoration project, one must be able to define community. In this instance, one can find two different communities, that must, in order for any real success to be achieved, work together. The first community that needs to be involved in creek restoration is the immediate Dominican University population that includes, student, staff, and faculty populations. The change must start in this community, because if this community does not take the initiative to better their environment, no real or lasting positive changes can be made. The second community, which plays just as crucial a role in the restoration of Sisters Creek, are the neighbors, and the residents near the Dominican Campus. This group has great influence on the happenings on the Dominican Campus, and more times than not, projects fly or flop with their decisions. Traditionally these two groups have had a relatively turbulent relationship with one another, both groups always accusing each other of either being too loud, or rowdy, or being to strict and rigid. However these two groups do have one common ground, the actual Dominican Campus. The on campus population has vested interest in the campus itself for day-to-day uses, while the neighbors appreciate using the campus of neighborhood activities such as picnics and what not. Ultimately both groups must work together in order for any real progress to be made, both groups must in the end want the same goal, which is the restoration and beautification of Sister Creek.

Communities defined, one can progress into the actual roles that each community can play in creek restoration. First, the immediate Dominican Community, can help by continuing the work started in this class, using the information gathered to make decisions about the Creeks future. The main part of the restoration lies in the hands of the on campus community. They must play the roll of actually getting in the mud, removing the exotic species, like the eucalyptus, and replacing them with native species. It will be this community that must deal with the creek on a day-to-day basis, and rightfully it is their responsibility to do the dirty work. Creek restoration, in this particular case serves a dual purpose. One, the betterment of the Dominican natural environment, but secondly creating a Campus Pride, making students take ownership of the creek. Restoring the creek is only part of the solution, the major battle with be keeping the creek in a healthy condition, and if students take stake into the creek, it will be much easier for them to act in favor of the creek. Socials done in cooperation with campus groups like ASDU, can help to create an awareness of the creeks importance, and the dire condition that it is currently in, hopefully enough, to motivate students into caring for their Creek.

The surrounding community should play a more abstract role in Creek Restoration. Even though they can help with care and maintenance, they do not have the time or resources needed to keep the creek in healthy state. They must however, support and triumph any efforts made by to on campus population to restore the creek. They must put restoration above all their complaints, for they too enjoy the beauty of the campus, and if the creek’s true beauty is to be realized, then they must support, and not hold back. The surrounding community must help with fundraisers, and other awareness catching events, and using public figures, such as Carlos Santana, and George Lucas, along with other influential individuals in the Marin Community. A possible fund raising event could be held or sponsored by the San Rafael Community in support of the Creek Restoration. The surrounding community has a great influence on Dominican Policies, and if they urge Dominican Administration to make creek restoration a high priority, Administrations is more than likely to comply with their wishes.

Creek Restoration is a hefty task, and no matter how well the two defined communities work together there will still be a need for outside counseling and education in order to properly restore and maintain the Creek. A few of the groups that can be a great resources to Creek Restoration are as followed, the Marin Audubon Society, the Marin Environmental Alliance, the Environmental Forum of Marin History, which helps to promote and repopulate native Marin Species, and the Environmental Education Council. There is a great well of resources especially in Marin of environmental groups and agencies that are more than willing to help, as long as the initiative begins with the immediate community, they can find all kinds of support and resources.

Ultimately, change must begin from the students, in their thinking and in their attitude towards the creek. Both communities must set realistic physical goals to aim for in the restoration of Sister Creek. Both communities must put aside their qualms with one another and work towards a better creek, a creek that both groups can appreciate, and maintain. The potential for the creek is nearly limitless. If it can envisioned, and maintained in a natural way, Sisters Creek can be restored to its natural state, while enhancing the aesthetic beauty of the campus, while at the same time developing a positive relationship with the Campus and the Neighbors, which could lead to more successful ventures, not only in creek restoration but in other beautification, and restoration projects, not just on campus, but all over Marin.