The Community of Practice for Environmental Water Managers project has concluded.
The Community has now transitioned to the Environmental Water Management Specialist Network.
A Community of Practice is “...a group of people who share a concern, a set of problems or a passion about a topic, and who deepen their knowledge and expertise in this area by interacting on an on-going basis” (Wenger et al 2002).
The National Water Commission’s (NWC) 2007 Assessment of progress under the National Water Initiative reported that “too often environmental water managers lack clear identity, authority and sufficient financial and technical capacity [to carry out their roles].” Similar findings were made in the 2009 Review.
AWA, under contract to the NWC, established the Community of Practice for Environmental Water Managers to provide a vehicle for communication, collective problem-solving and sharing knowledge, tools and concepts. At the conclusion of this project there were over 350 members of the Commnuity. The Community's website, www.cop4ewm.com.au is a platform for members to exchange information, contact each other and learn about developments in environmental water management. Community members are supported in their convening of local professional development acitivities, worksops and seminars, the presentations of which are available on the website.
For further information on the Community of Practice go to www.cop4ewm.com.au or contact Ann Hinchliffe on ahinchliffe@awa.asn.au.