Community Vision

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The Partnership Steering Committee has developed a set of VISION STATEMENTS or desired conditions for the future of the project area (20-25 years).

The vision was developed initially through a series of brainstorming and small work group sessions among Steering Committee members. The ideas that resulted from these sessions were then formed into a series of vision statements. Key attributes and metrics were then developed from each vision statement. Various assessments will determine the current condition associated with each community vision, and then actions will be recommended with the intention of moving the community closer to the vision or desired future conditions.

We believe the Partnership Steering Committee’s work focused on the South Slough and Coastal Frontal project area will be helped by another community effort that took place in Coos Bay in 2010: the three day community visioning charrette led by the American Institute of Architects’ Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT). The SDAT process, facilitated locally by the South Coast Development Council, served to energize many of the community members we’re hoping will be involved in the Partnership.

Partnership Community Vision

The SDAT conducted two days of facilitated meetings focused on specific issue categories (downtown development, economic issues, natural resources, transportation…etc.). The goal of the sessions was to establish for the SDAT a snapshot understanding of what our local issues are so they could help our community start creating a common vision for a “sustainable future”. They presented their recommendations verbally in a community meeting on the final day of their visit here. A written report was delivered.

SDAT Report

The Partnership for Coastal Watersheds provides our community with a chance to take SDAT’s general recommendations and put them into practice. With the participation of some key individuals who may now be newly aware of the value of community visioning, we can develop what may be seen as a pilot vision for the communities in the South Slough and Coastal Frontal project area- which may serve as a model for the entire Coos watershed community at some point in the future.

A local Ford Institute Leadership Program (FILP) training in Spring, 2012, will generate more involvement from local citizens that will help implement the SDAT’s general recommendations. Several FILP trainees are also involved in the Partnership for Coastal Watersheds as part of the Core Team and Steering Committee.