9/27/2016

1

Communicating complex water issues without losing the audience

Nonpoint Source Monitoring Conference, SLCAugust 24, 2016

Nancy Mesner, Ellen Bailey, Eli Robinson, Brian Greene, Jacob Stout, Arthur Wallace, Tim Beach, Summer Stout, McKenna Drew

USU Water Quality Extension ProgramUtah State University

Goals of USU’s WQ extension program is to help Utah citizens…

understand the link between their actions and uses of land and the quality of our water;

understand the benefits provided by clean water;

take action to protect / improve the quality of their water.

9/27/2016

2

We’ve used experiential approaches–emphasis on personal observations,

monitoring and data collection.

• General citizens – urban/rural; landowners;

• Educators – formal and informal

• Decision makers – legislators, county commissioners, etc

• K-12

For non-technical audiences…

Interactive touch screen displays

Citizen monitoring

Interpretive signage along stream side trails

Curricula focused on stream exploration and monitoring

Teacher education on water science and STEM connections.

Videos

9/27/2016

3

A River Runs Through UsInteractive display at Swaner EcoCenterin Park City

9/27/2016

4

Pop up displays of 27 different plants and animals provide photos, interesting facts, videos and more.

9/27/2016

5

An “exploded view” of the monitoring station offers more details on can how samples are collected.

Dashboard of current conditions.Users can “drill down” to more information about each measurement.

9/27/2016

6

Measured data graphs are updated daily.

Typical data graphs help explain general patterns based on “average” conditions for streams like East Canyon Creek.

The user can compare typical data with measured data

Or compare different parameters measured at the same time

9/27/2016

7

Users can learn about typical annual patterns

As well as daily variability

https://extension.usu.edu/utahwaterwatch.usu.edu

Utah Water Watchhttp://extension.usu.edu/utahwaterwatch/

9/27/2016

8

Tier 1: Simple monitoring techniques for education / screening

Tier 2: More advanced techniques to help with range of monitoring efforts across the state

Online database –stores data and available for download.

Graphics that highlight and interpret data collected at specific waterbodies…

9/27/2016

9

UWW

Volunteers…..

• Showed increased knowledge about watershed functions

• Were likely to assume water quality is bad just because it is changing

• felt empowered to help improve their local water bodies

Signs along the Logan River, Provo River and Red Butte Garden –

updated regularly with water quality data collected by UWW volunteers

9/27/2016

10

Streamside Science: water-related, hands-on education for grades K-12

Stream Side Science: water education through exploration and discovery

Since 2006: Hands on delivery to > 8000 kids / year More than 250 educators trained EACH YEAR We provide financial support, equipment, additional

training.

Streamsidescience.usu.edu

9/27/2016

11

Utahcleanwater.org

9/27/2016

12

1-2 minute videos highlighting successes around the state target legislators, other busy decision makers.

USU’s Water Quality Extension Programwww.extension.usu.edu/waterquality

Nancy.mesner@usu.edu; 435 797 2580