Rural Action is a

non-governmental organization A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an independent, typically nonprofit organization that operates outside government control, though it may get a significant percentage of its funding from government or corporate sources. NGOs often focus ...

working in Appalachian

Ohio Ohio ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...

promoting economic,

social Social organisms, including human(s), live collectively in interacting populations. This interaction is considered social whether they are aware of it or not, and whether the exchange is voluntary or not. Etymology The word "social" derives fro ...

and

environmental justice Environmental justice is a social movement that addresses injustice that occurs when poor or marginalized communities are harmed by hazardous waste, resource extraction, and other land uses from which they do not benefit. The movement has gene ...

. 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 acti ...

and climate issues as the top priorities for the community
Environmental Education
this team helps younger generations learn about their

natural resources Natural resources are resources that are drawn from nature and used with few modifications. This includes the sources of valued characteristics such as commercial and industrial use, aesthetic value, scientific interest, and cultural value. ...

, 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 Local food is food that is produced within a short distance of where it is consumed, often accompanied by a social structure and supply chain different from the large-scale supermarket Food system, system. Local food (or locavore) movements ...

systems in Southeast Ohio.
Sustainable Forestry
works with private landowners, government agencies, and other non-profits to develop

sustainable production Sustainability is a social goal for people to co-exist on Earth over a long period of time. Definitions of this term are disputed and have varied with literature, context, and time. Sustainability usually has three dimensions (or pillars): env ...

of forest resources.
Watershed Restoration
works to improve water quality for communities in the area.
Zero Waste
promotes the idea of a

zero waste Zero waste, or ''waste minimization'', is a set of principles focused on waste prevention that encourages redesigning resource life cycles so that all products are repurposed (i.e. "up-cycled") and/or reused. The goal of the movement is to avoid ...

economy where natural resources are the main source.

Projects

Monday Creek Restoration Project
working in the Monday Creek Watershed
Sunday Creek Watershed Group
working in the Sunday Creek Watershed * Watershed 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 *Rural Action Archives a
Ohio University Libraries
Environmental organizations based in the United States Environmental organizations based in Ohio