Conservation Key Network

CCNC Foundation and CCNC are moving towards a new answer to old challenges: How do we mobilize our statewide support for environmental issues? How do we hold public officials accountable for their promises and decisions relating to the environment? The answer: THE CONSERVATION KEYS NETWORK.

To alert our state leaders of citizen demand for clean water and clean air, CCNC Foundation is building our Conservation Keys volunteer network. We must demonstrate to more public decision-makers around North Carolina that CCNC Foundation and our allies have active and well-informed members in their backyards. WE NEED YOUR HELP!

What is a Conservation Key?

The Conservation Key Network is made up of concerned citizens who volunteer to become actively involved in environmental policy making in North Carolina by making a few phone calls. In conjunction with more direct advocacy efforts, mobilizing direct citizen support on environmental issues in a timely fashion lets our decision-makers know that NC citizens are demanding clean water and air.

Conservation Keys and Advocates are in regular contact with environmental policy decision-makers. Each Conservation Key acts as our key volunteer contact for a local area. These Keys alert other Network members and activists--the Conservation Advocates-- who then contact important decision-makers in support of our environmental issue advocacy campaigns.

How will the Conservation Key Network operate?

A few times each year (approximately six times annually), we will email or fax a special Action Alert to our network of Conservation Key volunteers. The Action Alert will request a specific action, typically to call an identified agency, legislator, or other authority in support of or opposition to a particular environmental issue proposal. The Alert will be no more than one page, and will identify the basic issue and main "talking points" to use in the call.

Each of the Conservation Keys, in turn, will call a limited number of previously identified active conservation Advocates in that area. These Advocates are individuals who have agreed to make a call in response to an alert, up to six times per year. The Conservation Key for that area will pass on the specifics of the alert to these Advocates, and follow up with them afterwards. The Advocates will call the designated decision-maker.

CCNC Foundation staff will also provide training for Keys and Advocates on how to be an effective grassroots activist.

How can you help?

VOLUNTEER to be a Conservation Key in your area - or an Advocate - a member of the responsive calling network.

SUGGEST other local environmentalists who may be willing to participate in the Conservation Key Network as an advocate or key.

CALL or E-MAIL today to discuss the Conservation Key Network, make suggestions, or just plain offer to take part:

keys@conservationcouncilnc.org
Dan Besse, 336-722-1674,
Carrie Oren, 919-839-0006