Water and water resource education has a distinct body of knowledge described by topics categorized as concepts, skills, and values or emotions. Water science and management knowledge has been organized by Brody (1995) and others. Continue reading →
Theme: Message content 
What information to provide
Boiarsky, G., M. Long, et al. (1999) Finding 1
Recognize that audiences are often already aware of important issues. Outreach materials should:
- Emphasize a pollution-prevention practice
- Tell audience a little about how to prevent pollution
- Tell audience where they can obtain information about prevention
Burger, J. and L. Waishwell. (2001) Finding 1
Identify locally-specific or culturally-specific needs or problems related to water conservation and quality. These may not be what an expert would typically expect due to unique cultural or situational needs. For example, in a person-to-person outreach initiative about toxic substances in fish, African-Americans were most interested in risks to their health from eating contaminated fish. Caucasians were most interested in the levels of contamination in the fish. Continue reading →
Lefko, S. A., Rice, M. E., & Pedigo, L. P. (1999) Finding 1
Address economic benefits:
- Focus outreach programs on the potential of the farm practice to increase yield or otherwise improve economic benefit
Pflugh, K. K., Shaw, J. A., Yacovelli, E., & Hagen, L. V. (1995) Finding 2
There is a need for the government to reach beyond traditional means of communication and design programs that recognize the unique features of a local community. This can only be done by being interested in the citizens themselves – by learning who the affected citizens are, by listening and responding to citizen concerns and by offering real alternatives to those citizens who may be negatively impacted in some way by government action. Continue reading →
Tang, S. & T. Murray. (2004) Finding 1
Provide property owners with do-it-yourself kits and coupons for environmentally friendly products Continue reading →
Padgitt, S. C. (1990) Finding 1
When persuading farmers to reduce chemical use:
- Show that farm chemicals are contaminating groundwater on the individual’s farm
- Link to quality of drinking water on the individual’s farm
- Provide alternative methods with a demonstrated outcome that has no adverse affect on profits and no more than a modest decline in yield
Padgitt, S. C. (1989) Finding 1
In communication and outreach about groundwater, address:
- Evidence that contamination will affect profits
Poe, G. L., H. M. van Es, et al. (1998) Finding 1
Indicate personal risk when risks exist. Continue reading →
Contant, C. K., & Young, C. L. (1990) Finding 1
In communication and outreach about groundwater, address:
- The quality of the drinking water supplies
- Concerns about risks of handling and applying chemicals o Recognition of farm economics
