Civic Engagement

What is civic engagement?

At it's most basic level, civic engagement is the participation of people in the political process.

The Maryland-based Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership (CCEL), states that civic engagement includes one or more of the following:

Learning from others, self, and environment to develop informed perspectives on social issues;

Recognizing and appreciating human diversity and commonality;

Behaving, and working through controversy, with civility;

Taking an active role in the political process;

Participating actively in public life, public problem solving, and community service;

Assuming leadership and membership roles in organizations;

Developing empathy, ethics, values, and sense of social responsibility;

Promoting social justice locally and globally.*

The Trust's vision of civic engagement includes people of all different races, backgrounds, income levels, political and religious beliefs choosing to become informed and participate in local decision-making that effects the San Joaquin River Parkway.

Our civic engagement activities are currently focused on the following three issues:

Expansion of the Lewis S. Eaton Trail and access to the River West Open Space Area;
Implementation of the new Lost Lake Park Master Plan
Public Transportation to the San Joaquin River Parkway

Follow the links above to learn about these issues and find ways to get involved.

*--Civic Engagement and Leadership Team, 11/03; Steering Committee of the Coalition for Civic Engagement and Leadership, 6/04, updated 4/05. http://www.terpimpact.umd.edu/content2.asp?cid=7&sid=41