Focus on Headwaters

Focus on HeadwatersFocus on Headwaters

The Sugar Creek method employs an integrated headwaters approach as a means for long-range ecosystem planning.

Why?

  • A headwaters approach recognizes the necessity of investigating human social dimension of life along the stream so that upstream and downstream communities can work together to address mutual concerns.

  • Biologically, the headwaters approach emphasizes that stream corridors themselves have immigration and emigration of biological species both from within and without the corridor.

  • This approach systematically converts the “non-point source” pollution problem into something that can be pinpointed and remediated at the land parcel level.

  • It focuses on benchmarking and preserving biodiversity and at-risk sensitive eco-niches so that restoration and remediation efforts downstream will be more meaningful, responsible, and stable.