Measuring Social Outcomes of Nonpoint Source Management Programs
USEPA Region 5, state water quality agencies, university researchers and educators, and local water managers have produced pilot methods and guidance for measuring social information and outcomes from nonpoint source (NPS) programs in the Great Lakes Region. As part of this project, over 100 people attended eight region-wide workshops in the fall of 2005. Attendees overwhelmingly reported an increased understanding of social factors in NPS management and how those factors can support NPS management. This project will increase the ability of EPA Region 5 and state agencies to measure meaningful outcomes (such as increases in knowledge, or behavior change) that may precede water quality improvement. A regional approach has allowed states to develop a single shared evaluation system for less cost than individual systems. As a result, states will be able to share data to increase their understanding of the social dynamics of NPS management in the Region. All partners have shown strong and innovative leadership to accomplish project goals. CSREES has awarded additional funding to this group to test the validity of the indicators developed through this project.
Contacts:
Ken Genskow
University of Wisconsin-Madison
608-262-8756
kgenskow@wisc.edu
Linda Prokopy
Purdue University
765-496-2221
lprokopy@purdue.edu
Behind the Scenes: Watershed Management Theme Team
Helps Professionals Keep Current
The Watershed Management Theme Team devotes many hours to staying up-to-date on the best information and approaches available to water resource professionals. The purpose of the Team is to share research and outreach resources and foster multi-state collaborations. The Team holds regular conference calls where Team members can present and discuss existing or needed watershed–related resources. The Team has produced an inventory of watershed management programs and resources with region-wide applicability.
Examples of program improvement directly resulting from Team communications include:
- the Indian Watershed Leadership Academy has incorporated elements of the Ohio Watershed Academy included modules and format;
- Ohio Certified Volunteer Naturalists manual has incorporated research and outreach and resources from Wisconsin’s Best Education Practices web site; and
- the University of Illinois Extension is using University of Minnesota Extension Shore line website and resources as a foundation for their own.
Contacts:
Joe Bonnell
Ohio State University
(614) 292-9383
bonnell.8@osu.edu
Anne Baird
Ohio State University
(614) 292-8603
abaird@postoffice.ag.ohio-state.edu
Video Conference Highlights
Three featured "extraordinary people" from each state presented their stories at thhis conference.
Participants from each state then asked questions of the story tellers and shared their own stories. Following the conference local groups further discussed effectively linking land use and watershed management. The conference was held at 10 locations or sites in three states with a total of 19 participants.
Highlights from Columbus, Ohio Discussion:
Knowledge gains reported on BMPs effectiveness, and usefulness of one-on-one stakeholder contacts when working with farmers. These gains stemmed from Adam Birr, Minnesota Department of Agriculture and David Mulla University of Minnesota descriptions of kitchen table planning discussions with farmers in the Huelskamp Creek Watershed.
Other participants gained inspiration to work with municipal planners after Marta Moody, Executive Director Delaware County Muncie Metro Planning Commission, described how watershed coordinators can work effectively link municipal master plans to watershed planning efforts.
Participants reported being inspired by Sue Skufca's and the Friends of Conneaut Creek's (North East Ohio) triumphant efforts to help protect many miles of stream along the Conneaut Creek through conservation easements and to obtaining multiple state and federal grants.
Participants concluded that finding the nexus between planning efforts, interests, and priorities, as well as identifying a common rallying point were critical to promote effective linkages between land use and watershed management efforts.
For more information:
Extraordinary People Poster. Featured at the 2006 joint Farm Science Review (Ohio State University and Purdue University) (View poster)
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