outreach and education roundtable: robin gary, bseacd

Public Information and Education

Strategies

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Robin Havens GarySenior Public Information and Education Coordinator

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

More with Less

Barton SpringsEdwards Aquifer

Conservation District

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

District Overview

11 staff members 1.25 communications + database + GIS

Strategy: find ways to involve more people in creating content and disseminating information

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

The Standards(tried and true)

Website Social Media Email Group Press Releases Presentations Field Trips Quarterly Newsletters Direct Mail Standardized drought messaging

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Train The Trainer Model(multiply the message)

Permittees: Coordinated drought messaging with standard bill

inserts, road signs, drought icons

Teachers: Yearly teacher training in collaboration with area

water educators Groundwater to the Gulf reaches 50 teachers and

therefore 5,000 students annually.

Staff: Website content management system that allows

each team to post and update appropriate materials

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Collaboration(extend resources)

Groundwater to the Gulf Collaborative Central Texas Water Efficiency Network City of Austin Earth Camp Camp Fire USA – after school, family, troops Texas Well Owner Network Creek clean-ups

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Rewards Programs(encourage good behavior)

Groundwater Stewardship Awards Permittee of the Year College scholarship (juniors & seniors) Camp scholarship (9-15 year olds)

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Special Projects

Realtors (new well owners) HoAs Exempt Well Owners

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Realtors Seller's Disclosure Notice modifications

Add Well-Specific InformationSuch as:

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Homeowner Associations

Under SB 198, HoAs can no longer enforce provisions that prevent a homeowner from installing a drought-resistant landscape.

HoA Workshops to help modify their codes and covenants.

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Exempt Well Owners Well Owner Guide Water Well Testing Water Level Monitoring

http://www.bseacd.org/education/well-owners/

Barton SpringsEdwards AquiferConservation District

Thank youRobin Gary: rhgary@bseacd.org

Drought Blog http://droughtmonitor.blogspot.com/

District Website: www.bseacd.org

‘Friends of the Aquifers’ Email Group Email rhgary@bseacd.org with ‘subscribe’ in the

subject line.