YAVAPAI COUNTY

Name of Program/Location/Point of Contact:

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, upgrade, and preparation of current documents

Impacts: No formal assessment. Direct feedback 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 are multitudes of newer (some debatably 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: Contact Jeff Schalau for more commonly requested samples.

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

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-Groundwater 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, Photos, Slides
• Worksheets, White Boards,
• Water-soluble / Permanent Markers
• 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

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 feedback 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

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.

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 in 1999 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

"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

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.)

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

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 feedback 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 in 1999].

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.

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.

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.

There has been an extensive effort to develop and implement water resources in Yavapai County. Responsibility has been assigned to a Natural / Water Resources Program Coordinator (Staff). The position began as a half-time position, eventually to three-quarters time and ultimately to a full-time position in January of 2000. The current position is filled by a professional educator, B.A., M.S. with an emphasis on environmental field biology and considerable/extensive environmental education experience in public schools. Although the water resource program coordination is primarily assigned to staff, there is a close and cooperative effort by the county agent to participate and contribute actively in elements of the programs.

Community outreach efforts focused (but not limited to) on providing water resource insight and information via:

• On-site Speakers
• Water / Natural Resource Information
• Classroom / Public Presentations and Displays
• Assistance in developing lesson plans, classroom and in-service training
• Developing curricula and projects
• Ground Water Classroom Models
• Watershed Models
• Septic System Guides, Models and Information
• "Almost Free" Well Water Testing
• Water Conservation
• Water Resource Newsletters
• Office and Phone Contacts
• Project "WET" Workshops
• Field Trip Facilitation

Each of the above categories are discussed as follows and include supportive information. If additional information may be required please feel free to contact the Yavapai Cooperative Extension office.

Yavapai Contacts:

• Russ Radden, Program Coordinator, Natural (Water) Resources
• Jeff Schalau, County Director / ANR

NOTE: Supportive information, document copies, and other reference materials used in the preparation of this evaluation are available from the UA Cooperative Extension Yavapai County or the State Project WET Coordinator,UA-WRRC, Tucson.

SUMMARY:

The year of 2000 has been both busy and challenging. Public contacts have exceeded 5000 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 reconfirmed 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 accessibility to water resource information and services through our area.

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