Engaging non-traditional partners :

Bringing a water quality outreach component to urban gardens in

Indianapolis

Recognizing an opportunity

• Green spaces are not only beneficial in helping to improve urban water quality– natural sounding boards for water quality and

conservation issues.• Community garden program already well-

established in the Indianapolis area– Use the existing infrastructure to promote

education/outreach

How to approach the idea…

Acknowledgement and Outreach• Thanking partners

– Value in partnerships– Open doors for the future

• Reaching Out– Publish/advertise partner

efforts– Links and contact information

for public – Influence

Write-ups

• Inform the public of our concerns and interests in starting this project.

• Enrich the outreach for an already-existing opportunity for communities.

• Featured in online blogs, newsletters, group websites, etc. – I.e. ISDA conservation blog, Spotlight on

Stewardship, University Extensions

Write-ups continued.

• Future use have more opportunities– Expand public understanding- water’s vast

integration– Reach wider audiences

Signage

• Allows recognition of the practice being implemented.

• Offers educational value to people that pass the practice.

• “I want one, too!” value

My edible garden utilizes water from my rain barrel! The average meal travels up to 1,500 miles before it gets to your plate. Not only am I reducing my need for store bought food, I am reducing my dependency on tap water. Rain barrels trap up to 1,300 gallons of water a year! I am saving money, miles, and gallons with my combined practices!

Thanks to my local FFA chapter and the City of Indianapolis, I am helping to improve my local water quality.

Visit (insert local information website here) for more information.