Rural Action is a non-governmental organization working in Appalachian Ohio promoting economic, social and environmental justice. The organization envisions a region of clean streams, healthy forests, thriving family farms, meaningful jobs for everyone and lively towns that remember local history and celebrate their stories.

Programs

Energy Committee
this committee was formed to identify

energy consumption Energy consumption is the amount of energy used. Biology In the body, energy consumption is part of energy homeostasis. It derived from food energy. Energy consumption in the body is a product of the basal metabolic rate and the physical activity ...

and climate issues as the top priorities for the community
Environmental Education
this team helps younger generations learn about their natural resources, and develops them to use tools given to make rational decisions; It also introduces students to professional paths that lead into a field of natural resources.
Social Enterprise
helps the community develop projects and connect local chains and people into business opportunities.
Sustainable Agriculture
strengthens local food systems in Southeast Ohio.
Sustainable Forestry
works with private landowners, government agencies, and other non-profits to develop

sustainable production Sustainable products are those products that provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and environment over their whole life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal. Scope ...

of forest resources.
Watershed Restoration
works to improve water quality for communities in the area.
Zero Waste
promotes the idea of a zero waste economy where natural resources are the main source.

Projects

Monday Creek Restoration Project
working in the

Monday Creek Monday Creek is a tributary of the Hocking River, 27 miles (43.5 km) long, in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Hocking and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of 116 square mile ...

Watershed
Sunday Creek Watershed Group
working in the

Sunday Creek Sunday Creek may refer to: * Sunday Creek (Ohio) Sunday Creek is a tributary of the Hocking River, 27.2 miles (43.8 km) long, in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Via the Hocking and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mi ...

Watershed *

Watershed Watershed is a hydrological term, which has been adopted in other fields in a more or less figurative sense. It may refer to: Hydrology * Drainage divide, the line that separates neighbouring drainage basins * Drainage basin, called a "watershe ...

restoration.

History

The Appalachian Ohio Public Interest Campaign (AOPIC) was founded in 1991 working in environmental advocacy as a citizen action organization. In 1992, AOPIC was reorganized as Rural Action, changing its focus to regional revitalization and as a member based organization. In 1994, Rural Action began a
AmeriCorps* VISTA
program to build capacity. This program is one of the largest rural developmental programs in the country. It has engaged more than 360 volunteers to help the communities in Appalachian, Ohio and was hosted until 2009. Since then, Rural Action has continued its tradition as a supporter of national service through th
Ohio Stream Restore Corps
an AmeriCorps program of 14 members across six watersheds working on reclamation, water quality monitoring, environmental education, trail access, and waste and recycling. Michelle Decker is the current CEO of Rural Action. The last longterm Executive Director, and the first one, was Athens County social justice activist, Carol Kuhre. She is also a founding member of the organization.

Awards

* The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Division of Mineral Resources Management) presented Rural Action's Monday Creek Restoration Project with its "Minerals Education Award" and "Conservation Achievement of the Year Award" in 200

* The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (Division of Mineral Resources Management) presented the Huff Run Watershed Restoration Partnership (which Rural Action sponsors) with its "Minerals Education Award" and its " Excellence in Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation" in 2006

Funding

There are 18 organizations that fund Rural Action, since they are member based. They include: Athens Foundation, Central Appalachian Network, Earthshare of Ohio, Epstein/Teicher Foundation, Ford Foundation, Grant Foundation, Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District, North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio State University, One Foundation, Serve Ohio AmeriCorps, Sisters of Saint Joseph Foundation, Sugarbush Foundation, University of Kentucky, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Interior Office of Surface Mining, and the US Forest Endowment. There are also three membership levels to subscribe to in order to donate to the organization.

Partnerships

Rural Action has partnered with hundred of community organizations, state and federal agencies, and small groups of community driven citizens. They all play a role in creating an outcome for a sustainable community.

References

External links

Rural Action WebsiteExpanded description of Rural Action at the Smart Communities Network
utilizing a Managing Information with Rural America grant from the

W.K. Kellogg Foundation The W. K. Kellogg Foundation was founded in June 1930 as the W. K. Kellogg Child Welfare Foundation by breakfast cereal pioneer Will Keith Kellogg. In 1934, Kellogg donated more than $66 million in Kellogg Company stock and other investments to ...

Environmental organizations based in the United States Environmental organizations based in Ohio