Connecting the Drops: A Citizens' Guide to Protecting Water Resources

by Karen Schneller-McDonald

Overview

The need for improved water resource protection, beginning with grassroots action, is urgent. The water we use depends on networks of wetlands, streams, and watersheds. Land-use activities, however, are changing these natural systems. Often these changes result in ecological damage, flooding, water pollution, and reduced water supply. We need a healthy environment that sustains our personal and community health; we also need vibrant and sustainable economic development that does not destroy the benefits we derive from nature. Our ability to accomplish both depends on how well we can "connect the drops."

In this book, Karen Schneller-McDonald presents the basics of water resource protection: ecology and watershed science; techniques for evaluating environmental impacts; obstacles to protection and how to overcome them; and tips for protection strategies that maximize chances for success. Schneller-McDonald makes clear the important connections among natural cycles, watersheds, and ecosystems; the benefits they provide; and how specific development activities affect water quality and supply.

The methods described in Connecting the Drops have broad application in diverse geographic locations. The environmental details may differ, but the methods are the same. For water resource managers and concerned citizens alike, Connecting the Drops helps readers interpret scientific information and contextualize news media reports and industry ads—ultimately offering "how to" guidance for developing resource protection strategies.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780801453106
Publisher:	Cornell University Press
Publication date:	10/15/2015
Pages:	288
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Karen Schneller-McDonald is a wetland and water resources specialist. She is the president of Hickory Creek Consulting LLC.

Table of Contents

IntroductionPart I. Headwaters: Understanding Natural Water Systems1. Natural Water Systems and Their Benefits2. Picturing Environmental Features and SystemsPart II. Wading Deeper: Identifying and Describing Impacts3. How Land-Use Activities Affect Water4. Measuring the Impacts5. Energy Development and WaterPart III. Charting a Course: Working toward Protection6. Weighing Significant Impacts, True Costs, and Mitigation7. Overcoming Obstacles to Water Protection8. Strategies for ActionConclusion: Stars in the WaterAppendix: Stream and Wetland Checklists
Notes
Selected Bibliography
Index

What People are Saying About This

Richard Louv

Connecting the Drops offers both knowledge and hope; it is an essential guide to action and overcoming the global water crisis.

Mark Ruffalo

Clean water is a basic need. Understanding the influence of land use activities on our water resources is critical to supporting the practices and policies that protect them. Connecting the Drops offers down-to-earth guidance that will help individuals and communities recognize stewardship opportunities and act.

Editorial Reviews

"Clean water is a basic need. Understanding the influence of land use activities on our water resources is critical to supporting the practices and policies that protect them. Connecting the Drops offers down-to-earth guidance that will help individuals and communities recognize stewardship opportunities and act."

Mark Ruffalo

"Connecting the Drops offers both knowledge and hope; it is an essential guide to action and overcoming the global water crisis."

Richard Louv

09/01/2015
Schneller-McDonald (president, Hickory Creek environmental consulting firm, Red Hook, NY) offers an authoritative review of methods for water conservation and use, which is especially important as many regions of the world currently face shortages. Geared toward information on North America and freshwater, three main sections deal with understanding natural water systems, identifying and describing impacts, and working toward protection. Although there are 21 tables, four maps, and four text figures as well as inspiring chapter-heading quotations, the rather dry, general, and pedantic text would could have been enlivened by illustrations, especially photographs. The textbook-like presentation achieves some relief via the author's excellent, one-page response to Interior Secretary Salazar's unrestricted endorsement of controversial hydrofracking. She touches on many water-use flashpoint areas, including the Colorado River basin, Chesapeake Bay, the Florida Everglades, the Great Lakes, and the harmful effects of dams, acid rain, coal mining, sewage disposal, pesticides, and mercury. There are extensive chapter notes and a solid bibliography, including websites. A detailed appendix contains checklists for evaluating streams and wetlands: features, conditions, pertinent questions to raise, etc. VERDICT Highly recommended for environmentalists, resource managers, those concerned with pollution, and naturalists.—Henry T. Armistead, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia

Library Journal

Schneller-McDonald (president, Hickory Creek environmental consulting firm, Red Hook, NY) offers an authoritative review of methods for water conservation and use, which is especially important as many regions of the world currently face shortages.... She touches on many water-use flashpoint areas, including the Colorado River basin, Chesapeake Bay, the Florida Everglades, the Great Lakes, and the harmful effects of dams, acid rain, coal mining, sewage disposal, pesticides, and mercury. There are extensive chapter notes and a solid bibliography, including websites. A detailed appendix contains checklists for evaluating streams and wetlands: features, conditions, pertinent questions to raise, etc. VERDICT Highly recommended for environmentalists, resource managers, those concerned with pollution, and naturalists.

-- "Library Journal"

From the Publisher