Water Resources Education Assessment - Summary

The year of 2000 was both busy and challenging. Public contacts have exceeded 5ooo contacts through participation in a number of public events and providing, personal, on-site experiences for Yavapai County residents. Contacts included students, teachers, educators, municipal personnel, leaders, VIP's and the general public.

Topics were diverse. Well water testing participation doubled and expanded to 7 parameters, "shirt-pocket" kit. Local laboratories became participants in facilitating bacterial testing for the first time in the four year programs history. Nitrate elevation trends were re-confirmed by data gathered.

Septic system guides were exhausted early in the year and a new and improve South Western version has been recently made available. Over 700 packets have been distributed in Yavapai County since being made available in 1999. A slide program was used for the first time for a public presentation at A VWA meeting in Chino Valley.

Educational efforts became more focused on Watersheds, Water Quality and Groundwater. A net of participating schools is slowly identifying the UA - CE as a valuable resource in assisting with the enhancement of their curricula.

The Water Resources Newsletter continue to and has provided over 1000 local residents with current issues and insight into water resources, water awareness and related services.

The UA-CE of Yavapai County continues to participate and contribute to local water interest and educational groups in an advisory status. One effort, the preservation of Glassford Hill State lands, currently appears to have resulted in it's protection and preservation as an extensive green belt project between the communities of Prescott and Prescott Valley.

Classroom activities and presentation have expanded throughout the Counties schools. Field trips and our first camp out are providing more access to real-world opportunities for local students to become more familiar and skilled in dealing with water issues affecting their lives.

A major effort is underway to develop a Master Watershed Stewardship program designed to identify and train local residents to provide local, leadership and accessability to water resource information and services through our area.