The Springs Stewardship Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Our Mission
The mission of the Springs Stewardship Institute (SSI) is to promote and improve scientific understanding and stewardship of spring ecosystems across the Earth.
Our Vision
We envision a world where spring ecosystems are universally honored and regarded as focally important landscape features that reflect the integrity of supporting aquifers, which influence adjacent ecosystems, and are sustainably managed. We do so to honor the role that springs have played for past generations, and for the contributions, goods, and services springs provide to humanity in the present and future. We will accomplish this vision by providing information, trainings, advisement, tools, and expertise, both directly and electronically, by engaging and supporting our staff, as well as individuals and organizations with similar goals.
We accomplish our mission through:
With over 40 years of field and research experience, Larry Stevens and Abe Springer developed standardized protocols to further understanding of springs ecology and stewardship. As part of this initiative, SSI developed Springs Online©, a publicly available and ever-growing database relating geological, physical, biological, and socio-cultural information on springs throughout the world.
We are reaching our goal of improved springs stewardship through rigorous, comprehensive, and educational outreach, training, and publication of results for those who manage these precious freshwater resources. Springs Online provides the framework needed for effective management. SSI also hosts workshops, webinars, and online sessions to present the elements of springs stewardship and provide guidance to land managers, other researchers, and students.
Effective management of springs ecosystems requires careful inventory, assessment, planning, implementation, and monitoring, all of which are best based on rigorous science. As thousands of springs are already managed by various individuals, organizations, and governmental agencies, standardized protocols are essential for promoting communication, discussion, and collaboration about aquifers and springs. SSI’s springs ecosystem inventory, assessment, and management protocols provide this standardization and have proven effective in the management and restoration of springs.
Collaboration is one of the most important aspects of our work. Our parent organization, the Museum of Northern Arizona, played an enormous role in bringing our research to the public eye. In addition, we work with non-profit organizations, foundations, government land managers, universities, and corporations to improve the understanding and stewardship of springs. We also collaborate with researchers and volunteers who contribute research, photos, survey data, and time. SSI hopes that, as we work to further our mission, that our partnerships will continue to grow.
Goals
Achievements
Continue to advance research on springs ecosystems in aridlands as well as other environments to understand the relationship between springs and their surrounding ecosystems.
Increase the number of collaborators, resulting in an increase of data, improved tools, more complex mapping, analysis, and solutions planning of springs and their ecosystems.
Extend the reach of SSI, encouraging local, state, federal, and international governments to adopt SSI protocols for springs and groundwater management.
Develop improved educational programs and materials for foundations, conservation organizations, government land managers, private land owners, and Tribal governments to improve their stewardship of springs.
Develop educational programs for youth, to teach new generations the importance of water conservation, not just in lakes and rivers, but all sources of freshwater.
In 2013, SSI became a Global Initiative of the Museum of Northern Arizona 501(c)(3).
SSI launched Springs Online in 2014 as a publicly accessible resource of springs ecological, biological, and geological data. Learn more in the Database User Manual.
In September 2015, the US Forest Service entered into an MOU with SSI to host their springs data collected across the nation.
SSI has collaborated and partnered with many organizations to map and compile springs data for more than 7 regions, including: Southern Alberta Springs, Arizona Springs, Desert LCC, Southern Rockies LCC, Nevada Springs, and other Individual Projects.
In April, 2015, Dr. Larry Stevens and Jeri Ledbetter attended the 5th Annual International HydroEco Conference in Vienna Austria, presenting their research to members of the European Union.
In 2020, SSI became a stand-alone 501(c)3 organization. We deeply appreciate the invaluable administrative support provided by the Museum of Northern Arizona over the past seven years.