Water Resources Education Assessment - Yavapai County Programs

Name of Program/Location/Point of Contact

Yavapai County Cooperative Extension
Jeff Schalau, County Director
P.O. Box 388
Yavapai, Arizona 86302-0388
(520) 445-6590
email: jschalau@ag.arizona.edu

Description of Programs

A. On-Site Advisor/Speaker

To provide accurate, research-based information to local and regional community groups:

Advisory Verde Watershed Association
Education Outreach Committee (10X-advisory)
General Membership Meeting (10X-advisory, outreach, and
Septic System Presentation)
Natural Resources Committee (4X-advisory)
Yavapai County Water Advisory Committee (3X- advisory)
Northern Arizona Math and Science Consortium (11X-advisory)
Glassford Hill Preservation Committee (8X advisory committee
Member) and GH Natural Resources Committee (ad hoc)
Cornville Flood Control Re-Hab Project (on-going)
UA Water Resources Advisory Group / Conference
UA Riparian Advisory Group (on-going)
Peking World Village -USDA (filming facilitator/ contributor)
Presenter
Arizona Small Utilities Association (2X)
Water Conservation / Decision-making Presentation - Laughlin
Water Conservation/ Decision-making Presentation - Prescott
Verde River Watershed Train Trip (2X - 200, Trip Guide)
National Outreach Conference Presenter (Well Testing Presentation)
Lower Verde River-SRP Watershed Advisory (Outreach Presentation)
VWA Outreach & Septic System Workshops

Audience: Adult Community, Educators, Municipal leadership and technical support.

Current Status: Presentations and participation on demand/call. VWA and NAMSC
meetings are monthly and ongoing advisory commitments

Impacts: Presentations are usually evaluated by requesting group. Feed-back is usually readily available. An Evaluation Sheet is used if other feed back is not available.

Lessons Learned: Very time consuming. No assurance of number of participants you will reach. Serving on committees or presence in public meetings is not subject to formal evaluation and is politically risky if you say what needs to be said, not what they want to hear.

Materials / Supplies:

• Overlays for Water Conservation / Decision-making.
• Physical Props, maps, images, photos and A/V Equipment required for visual presentations.
• Outreach Collection available upon request (6" thick notebook of outreach materials.

B. Water / Natural Resource Information

Provide "hard copy" fact sheets for use by the general public for a better understanding of water resources and issues.

Audience: General public and reference

Current Status: On-going review, upgrading and preparation of current documents

Impacts: No formal assessment. Direct feed-back is consistently complementary of materials provided. All materials are subject to peer-review prior to distribution.

Lessons Learned: Few if any publications are "etched-in-granite". Although all contain information that maintains long-term validity, there is a multitude of newer (some debatable better) and more current/relevant from Internet sources. Cost of producing great-looking periodicals and fact sheets is questionable. Template and laser printing may be a way to centralize and keep information current.

Materials / Supplies: See Attachments for more commonly requested samples.

C. Classroom/Public Presentations

To provide on-site visitations with a real person providing credible water resource information to students, regardless of age and ethnicity.

Classroom
Montessori School (2X -86) Chino Valley (28)
Del Rio Elementary (62) Heritage M.S. (500)
East Valley Elementary (76) Abia Judd Elementary
Mountain View Elementary(400) Camp Gan Israel (42)
Bradshaw Mountain HS(28) Camp Verde HS
Mayer Elementary(38) Melchizedek (18-Private)
Bradshaw Mountain Open House(800)

Field Clear Creek (2X -24)
V Bar V Field Trip / Open House (200)
Beaver Creek Field Day (60)
Watson Lake CampOut (24)

College Yavapai College Field Trip(16)

Community Verde River Days(2000+) Young's Farm Garlic Festival(500+)
Mayer Kiwanis (14) KCAY-AM (2X)
Earth Day - Cottonwood (240) Prescott Courier
Farmer's Market(250) Prescott Valley Courier
Expo,2000 (150) Chino Valley Flyer
Prescott AMA Open House (150)

Audience: Students K -12, Adults

Current Status: Occasional and dependent on teacher requests for classroom demonstrations and presentations. Newsworthy articles and interviews dependent on solicitation by media or per public service announcements.

Impacts: Classroom Presentations evaluated by direct teacher debriefings and/or Cooperative Extension evaluation form. UA -Ground water Model Use Form completed with appropriate audience age and demographics. Based on direct requests and media involvement with activities /programs regarding water issues generate significant public interest. Requests for materials increase as result of presentations.

Lessons Learned: Direct, personal contact is probably one of best vehicles for providing positive image of UA services. Supplementing presentations with handouts hands-on activities, direct involvement and active participation re-enforce learning experience

Materials / Supplies:
Groundwater Model and Kit Contents
Septic System Model
Watershed Model
Water Test Kits (Hach, LaMotte, Pur-Test Strips, pHydrion)
Clear Glass/Plastic Bottles
USGS Images, Topographies, Photo's, Slides
Worksheets, White Boards,
Water-soluble / Permanent Markers, Visa-Visa's
White Paper (Reams)
Props (Self designed &As Needed / Appropriate)
Arizona Reference Materials/Visuals/Maps
Project ties"WET" Curriculum Activities
Field collection equipment (hand lens, clipboards pans, etc.
HISTORY TRUNK - UA-WRRC Materials

D. Developing Curricula and Projects

To assist teachers in integrating water resources and related issues into curriculum (Create-A-Watershed Activity Sheet, Landsat Visual, Science Fair, 2000 Projects/Themes).

Audience: Professional Educators, K-12 Students

Current Status: An on-request service, provided as needed (relatively unused service). AIM curriculum has pretty well defined content. Services currently used by schools/staff at Chino Valley, Prescott Valley, Excell Schools, Cottonwood, Sedona Elementary, Bradshaw Mt. HS, Yavapai College adjunct faculty.

Impacts: No evaluation and/or feed-back available regarding effectiveness of assistance as of this date.

Lessons Learned: Teachers appear to be pretty swamped by demands of implementing curriculum. Most elementary teachers are very uncomfortable doing WR activities and/or using equipment without training. All teachers appear to need to go through the use of GW and Septic Model activities at least once prior to working with students to increase working knowledge of terms and technical vocabulary. No teachers were comfortable with just being handed materials or models without some in-service preparation. Real need to provide in-service in "basic scientific methods" and creative learning. Most teachers in K-13 are not well prepared to provide unassisted water resource elements integrated into current curriculum.

Environmental education (the term/concept) is suspect in many educational settings/ schools (with names like: "treehuggers", "Bambi's", "warm and fuzzies" and "environmentalist" surfacing) by both teachers and administrators. AIMS Compliance is a major concern and priority and a factor which precludes implementation of water resource curriculum. I market it to teachers as an enhancement...not a replacement or additional. Actually can reduce work and delivery.

Materials / Supplies:

• Project "WET" Resource Book, Internet information (modified)
• Basic laboratory equipment found in elementary/high schools.
• Common household glassware materials ( in lieu of lab "stuff").
• Note: 40 years of professional/educational experience helps.

E. Ground Water Model

To provide an effective way to communicate hydrological properties and concepts of groundwater. Excellent teaching tool to demonstrate hydrological problems and issues such as water mining, nonpoint source pollution, water table/ aquifer dynamics.

Audience: Students K-12, College, Educators, Adults

Current Status: Very popular and in almost constant use. Only used 3X by three independent, non-assisted, teachers. Regularly used in nearly all water resource activities. Serves well as a key piece or secondary role to support other activities.

Impacts: By far, one of the most popular and effective devices used in working with water resource concepts. Kids, teachers and adults "love' it! Everybody can't wait to squeeze a dye bottle or run the pump. "Please bring the ground water model" regardless of the presentation by repeat users. Rated high on Coop Evaluation form ...frequently. Never leave home (the office) without it.

Lessons Learned: Use of the Ground Water Model really requires in-service and a lot of experimenting on the part of the teacher-presenter. Experience and creativity really enhance the effectiveness of the student experience. Cleaning/flushing requires time. There is a need to air-fracture the models sand from time to time. Paper clip or fine needle-probe useful to open up holes in lake and pond elements. Don't use too much food coloring. Five drops to 2/3 squeeze bottle very good. Clean/wax outside surface with Lemon-Pledge to reduce scratch marks. NEVER use permanent markers. Use water-soluble overhead markers. Visa-visa OH markers are preferred.

Materials/Supplies: Self contained as equipped. Food coloring is the only expendable item and is readily available in markets.

F. Septic System Owners Guide, Models and Information

To provide septic system owners with current, useful and appropriate information to successfully operate, understand, maintain and service privately owned septic systems.

Audience: Private Septic Owners of Yavapai County (50,000 licensed systems)

Current Status: Very successful and on going offering through our office. Over 600 units have been distributed since it was introduced in1999. 600 more are currently available.

Impacts: Currently there is high interest in septic systems in the county (over 50,000 licensed septic system) as a source of non-point source pollution. Nitrate elevation trends in six areas of the county support need to educate septic system operations.

Enhanced cooperative efforts with Environmental Services

Lessons Learned: As a cost recovery item (Currently $3.00 +S&H), this was an excellent buy. Three dollars worth of information could save an owner thousands of dollars in repairs and replacement. The guide/packet organizes of septic system information well. As the current document/packet evolved, redundancy was reduced. New, most-recent version is very AZ centered and is reasonably close to local requirements/needs. Users may want to check specs with local Yavapai County Environmental Services.

Materials / Supplies:

• Packets containing current and old documents plus CE Disclaimer are available.
• Use of WA produced Septic System A/V packet (1X) and currently being modified and adapted to AZ (Kitt Farrell-Poe)
• Supplemented with Internet resource and private sector information

G. "Almost Free" Well Water Testing

Private well water testing is provided during National Drinking Water Week as a community service. This service increases the knowledge and awareness of private well water owners and shifts the responsibility of annual water testing to owners. Arizona law places sole responsibility on owners.

Audience: Private Well Owners (20,000 in Yavapai County)

Current Status: Annual public service activity for the past 4 years with the following
participation record: 1997 282; 1998-126; 1999-170; 2000-403. In 2001, this program
may be offered for cost recovery with or without grant.

Impacts: Has had a significant impact on county politics. Identified 6 county areas with increasing nitrate trends. Identified a number of contaminated wells and CE has assisted owners in dealing with problem or procuring safe water source. Increased communications with local governmental agencies and personnel. Survey (attached) in 2000 provides positive insight and confidence in program. There has been considerable media involvement in this project. Encouraged well owners to take pro-active role in monitoring well water qualities and quantities. Has contributed to considerable dialogue between CE and citizens.

Lessons Learned: Logistically, a very time consuming and demanding activity. Great public relations for Extension Office and enhancing public contact/communications. Local real estate and some public officials dislike program (i.e. increased owner/buyer knowledge in real estate transactions, increased public participation in local water issues). Identified Internet kit providers. This year's program was labor intensive due to increased number of parameters and survey data.

Materials / Supplies:

• Collection Bottles
• "Shirt Pocket" Test Kit
• Forms! Forms! Forms!
• Telephone(s) Person
• Computer for handling data

H. Master Watershed Stewardship Program

To develop a local/regional, volunteer, citizen-component of water resource "experts" to assist CE in providing accurate insight, distributing information and increasing local public involvement and dealing with water resource issues. (Similar to Master Gardeners Program)

Audience: General public / adult volunteers

Current Status: Currently in planning and development stage. Implementation to be delivered in 2001. An 8-10 week training for 15-20 volunteers is envisioned. Advisory Committee members are being selected as of this date. Reviewing, researching, prioritizing appropriate curricula content.

Impacts: Currently unknown. Eighty-four people have expressed interest in participation.

Lessons Learned: People, in general, appear to be very cautious/time-protective, regarding volunteer programs.

Supplies / Materials: Curricula to be developed using materials developed internally and based upon nationally-established, proven environmental / water resource education material/curricula using Natural Resource Wonders Curricula as primary and including supportive curricula (e.g. Project WET, Project Wild, Project Learning Tree, etc.)

I. Water Conservation

To provide a 45 minute Visual / Narrative Program advocating Water Conservation methods, justification issues and decision-making processes.

Audience: Adult Groups

Current Status: Currently in B/W overhead format. Conversion to PowerPoint in process.

Impacts: Presented 2X at Arizona Small Utilities Conferences in Laughlin, NV and Prescott, AZ. Above average to excellent reviews by sponsoring group surveys.

Lessons Learned: Overhead presentations more effective and greatly enhanced with manipulatives, audience participation and on-going dialogue.

Materials / Supplies:

• Creative overhead pointers, laser pointer
• WET Water Resource Stick/ Water Resources Demo Activity

J. Water Resources Newsletters

To communicate current water resource issues, tips, events, local activities, resources, information and develop a local network of "getting the water resource word out."

Audience: General Public, Educators, especially as a follow-up device for those participating in water resource programs, inquiries, and word of mouth requests to be included. Widely distributed to UA faculty, staff, county educators, state and federal agency personnel. Some out of state mailings.

Current Status: Currently distributing 1005 newsletters bimonthly.

Impacts: Lots of feed-back in form of phone calls, interview requests, radio interviews and local newspapers, using newsletter topics as focal points for feature articles. Mailing was "pruned" to 650 in mid-2000 and is back up to just over 1000 due to requested participation in mailings.

Lessons Learned: Costly in time to write, proof, print and mail (reason why it is now bimonthly). Logistically demanding to prepare for bulk-mailing (office secretarial work load) Color was cost prohibitive [B&W was $0.34+ /copy including printing & postage. Newsletter was a monthly document in1999]..

Materials / Supplies: Year 2000 published newsletters attached.

K. Office, Phone Contacts, E-mail

To provide opportunities for client inquiries, questions, resource information and assistance at a local, state and regional level.

Audience: General public access at all age levels.

Current Status: Phone Inquiries regarding water resource information currently run at 10 -15 calls per week (Estimate 600+ phone inquiries/year excluding well water testing calls) Written Inquiries via common mail are infrequent. E-Mail Inquiries are seldom more that 2-3 per month. Direct Office Contacts (excluding WW testing program) 8-10 per week.

Impacts: Critical element for providing CE services, participation in public and municipal meetings/events. Contacts often lead to referral to other program elements of
CE services.

Lessons Learned: Loss of answering/voice mail services have resulted in a decrease in client requests. Quick response is crucial on all communications.

Materials / Supplies:

• Yavapai CE has Website which is advertised in Newsletter and UA website.

K. Project "WET" Workshops

To provide and deliver national Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) curriculum training to local educators

Audience: Public, charter and private school educators

Current Status: Eight workshops were planned and scheduled. Only one Project WET Workshop materialized (July / Dead Horse Ranch State Park on the Verde River) with 21 participants. This was a program organized by WRRC and State Park personnel.

Our Cooperative Extension requirement to financially justify the workshops is 15 participants minimum. The largest interest number was 7.... most were 3-5.

Impacts: Little feedback is provided to our office regarding current use and/or integration of Project WET materials in current curriculum. Members of Northern Arizona Math Science Consortia (NCAMSC) have indicated that "environmental education" is of a low priority if provided by most county school districts. Some individual teachers have "pet" topics that seldom include water as a priority. Only one school has had continuing water resource curricula elements.

Lessons Learned: Project WET doesn't offer academic credit only CEU credits through school districts. State certification demands such so teachers chose alternatives. Most teachers I have talked with take selected elements and activities to enhance science curriculum.

Materials / Supplies: Materials as required recommended by Project WET curricula and Arizona focused/ supportive materials.

L. Field Trip Facilitation

To provide opportunities for field experience and activities which complement Water resource activities or Yavapai County - UA- Cooperative Extension.

Beaver Creek Field Day (60 MS Students)
Watson Lake CampOut (24 HS Students)
Granite Basin Watershed Field Trip (90 MS students)
Clear Creek Field Trip (2X - 28 At-Risk MS Students)
Verde River Rail Road Field Trip (2X -Political VIPs, Local Adults)
Peking Global Village - USDA Filming of Bar Heart Ranch and Young's Farm (Sustained Agriculture Practices)

Audience: Students, Adults, VIP's

Status: Each activity is self-standing and dependent on funding provided by school district, U A Water Resources Program, Verde NRCD. CE of Yavapai County facilitated program and implementation for requesting groups. CE received very positive commendations as a result of our efforts.

Lessons Learned: A lot of work! Great satisfaction and rewards!

Materials / Supplies: Provided by requesting group. Supported by in-house resources of Yavapai CE Program.

For more information, see: Attachments for Yavapai County