Benefits of Being A Groundwater Guardian Community
Whether you’re just getting started or are already involved in local groundwater protection and education, Groundwater Guardian can benefit you by:
Providing a Framework for Local Action
The real work of groundwater education and protection takes place on the local level. By beginning or enhancing your groundwater education and protection efforts with a strong local team and a clear framework for action, communities can be successful right from the start. Groundwater Foundation staff is available to coach you through the process of building and maintaining a Groundwater Guardian team and adopting successful groundwater education and protection activities.
Taking Advantage of Lessons Learned
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel! Teams who enter Groundwater Guardian learn from the experiences of other Groundwater Guardian Communities. New Groundwater Guardian Communities can learn how others have organized to take action and be effective, as well as learn from past successes and challenges. Groundwater Guardian provides you with a variety of networking opportunities to learn from others and make your groundwater education and protection efforts stronger.
Recognizing Communities for Their Efforts
You can never underestimate the power of saying “thank you” for a job well done. Each year, communities are recognized nationally by The Groundwater Foundation for the work they do to educate the public and protect groundwater. The Groundwater Guardian Designation Celebration showcases the work of Groundwater Guardians across the country and celebrates their accomplishments. Earning Groundwater Guardian status sets your community apart. It helps validate your efforts and draws positive attention for groundwater-related work that is all too often overlooked or taken for granted.
Providing Incentives to Continue Activities Year After Year
To be successful, groundwater education and protection must be ongoing. While the specific nature of the activities may change from year to year, the action itself must continue so groundwater is consistently recognized as an integral part of a community’s way of life. Designation as a Groundwater Guardian helps to ensure that continued progress is made on your community’s groundwater education and protection activities.
Offering Resources to Support Community Action
The Groundwater Foundation provides Groundwater Guardian Communities with various materials, information, and opportunities. Each team receives the Groundwater Guardian Assistance Kit when they enter the program. This kit is filled with timely materials from the Foundation and other partners. Teams receive a complimentary subscription to The Groundwater Foundation’s quarterly publication, The Aquifer. Communities who are designated as Groundwater Guardians also receive an exclusive, numbered oak plaque to commemorate their designation. Finally, Groundwater Guardian Communities receive special invitations to participate with an elite status in selected Groundwater Foundation events and projects.
Creating Visual Recognition
Groundwater Guardian Communities also have the right to use the official Groundwater Guardian logo. Using the Groundwater Guardian logo with your education and protection activities helps to create a visual identity to promote groundwater protection work in your community. Email us at gglogo@groundwater.org or call 1-800-858-4844 to request a camera ready copy or high-resolution digital file of the Groundwater Guardian logo, or click here to download a low-resolution logo. Note: The use of the Groundwater Guardian logo is reserved only to communities currently participating in the Groundwater Guardian program.
Get Involved: Entering The Groundwater Guardian Program is Free
There is no charge to participate in Groundwater Guardian. Join Groundwater Guardian right now!
