FOSTERING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT

FOSTERING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND

SUPPORT

Module 26, part C – Education Programs

Developed by: Desotelle Updated: U6-m26c-s2

Objectives

Students will be able to: provide examples of successful programs that

protect water resources. describe key elements of the Nonpoint

Education for Municipal Officials program. compare the Shoreland Management Program

and the Adopt-A-River Program. determine the significance of the Feather River

Water and Air Quality Program. describe the positive impacts of the Global

Action Plan Community Lifestyles Campaign.


Knowledge first; behavior change second

Knowledge is the first step toward behavior change

The link for understanding why changing our behavior is important for water resource protection

It does not make the behavior change


Successful Programs

Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) - National

Shoreland Management Program - Minnesota Adopt-a-River – Minnesota Case Study - Feather River Water and Air

Quality Project Case Study - Global Action Plan Community

Lifestyles Campaign


NEMO

An educational program for local land use officials that addresses the relationship of land use to natural resource protection.

Polluted Runoff is #1 Water Quality Problem in U.S.*

* USEPA

Nonpoint Source Nonpoint Source PollutionPollution


NEMO’s key elements

Goal - Natural Resource Protection

Issue - Land Use better land use

decisions are the key to protecting the natural resources, community character, and long-term economic health of our communities.

ForestLEGEND

Open/GrasslandRural Resident

Water/WetlandsCom/Ind/Rds



Audience - Local Officials making land use decisions is the target audience. In the U.S., this means local officials serving on land use boards at the county and municipal levels.

To enable decision makers NOT to: become watershed experts or pollution specialistsBUT to ASK the RIGHT QUESTIONS



Method – Education, particularly research-based, non-advocacy professional outreach education, is the best way to foster better land use decisions.

INTENSITY OF LAND USE

POTENTIAL WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS

AMOUNT OF IMPERVIOUS SURFACE,REDUCED FOREST COVER,

LOSS OF STORAGE


NEMO – a bit of history

Created 1991 in Connecticut

Today there are 34 projects across the U.S. and U.S. territories.

http://nemo.uconn.edu/national/members.htm

National NEMO

(member states in orange)


NEMO – a few of the many results

150 educational workshops a year Helps communities map projections of full

community build-outs to analyze water quality impact scenarios

Includes rural areas and cities across the country Newly developed plans and ordinances have

incorporated NEMO concepts to protect water quality


Shoreland Management Program

Effective, low cost means to reach the people (website).

Easy access to information about sustainable shoreland practices.

Scientific and technical background. Highlights of citizen action Contact information.


Shoreland Management Program

Quick and Easy Answers Fact Sheets developed for web and for downloading copies.

Topics include: managing lakes and rivers as part of the landscape managing water quality managing shoreland property shoreland regulations planning for the future of your lake or river altering or restoring your shoreline managing aquatic plants and animals wastewater treatment on shoreland property managing lake and river use


The Adopt-a-River program encourages volunteers to "adopt" a section of a lake, river, wetland or ravine to ensure its long-term health through annual cleanups.

Challenges you to become personally involved in the care of our resources.

The program supplies "how-to“ assistance, free rubbish bags, gloves and recognition.

Adopt-a-River Program


Adopt-a-River Program Results

Information tracked includes pounds of rubbish collected, volunteer hours, and descriptions of the debris found.

Over 1,600 cleanups completed by about 53,000 volunteers between 1989 and 2002.

3.9 million pounds of rubbish removed from Minnesota's public waters.


Getting the word out

Volunteers hear about the program in a variety of ways including: community cleanup events Cleanup Review newsletter DNR's web site national directory listings word of mouth.


Case Study: Feather River Water and Air Quality Project

Purpose reduce pesticide applications which would result

in less pesticide residue in surface water manage surface water runoff by recycling,

improved application and improved irrigation systems


Case Study: Feather River Water and Air Quality Project

Farmers were provided with financial incentives to: improve irrigation systems and maintain

drainage improve application efficiency

Results Significant water savings Reduced chemical application Observed positive change in cultural practices


Case Study: Global Action Plan Community Lifestyles Campaign

Purpose is to work through the Household Ecoteam Workbook with group of friends or neighbors. Topics include energy efficiency, transportation,

water conservation, and waste reduction Actions are provided


Case Study: Global Action Plan Community Lifestyles Campaign

Attendance 40-50% who are asked to attend do so 85% continue with the 4 month process

Results from an average of households that participated 42% less garbage 25% less water 16% less carbon dioxide 16% less fuel for transportation annual savings of $400


References

NEMO Program http://nemo.uconn.edu/ Shoreland Management Program -

http://www.shorelandmanagement.org/ MN DNR Adopt-a-River Program -

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/adoptriver/index.html Case Study: Feather River Water and Air Quality

Project and Global Action Plan Community Lifestyles Campaign - http://ww.cbsm.com

Gershon, D. & Gilman, R. (1991). Household ecoteam workbook: A six month program to bring your household into environmental balance. Uxbridge, Ontario

FOSTERING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND SUPPORT

Documents

local land use officials

land use boards

relationship of land

water resources

river program

municipal officials

water qualitydeveloped

air quality program