2001 CO Water Education Final Report

• Project Type: General OWC
• Project Name: Colorado Water Education Activities for 2001
• Title: 2001 Colorado Water Education Accomplishments and Recommendations
• Date: 12/28/2001
• County: Statewide
• Water Conservation - Doc Type: Final Report

an unbiased perspective on the two pilot project~. The Coordinator assisted the evaluator with
the evaluation design, development of the teacher survey instrument, and collection of data
from teachers and program developers. The Coordinator also made suggestions on parts to be
included in the final report. The evaluator did an excellent job in writing her final report. Her
recommendations should be carefully considered for future classroom pilot projects.

Conclusion about 2001 Accomplishments

The CWCB sponsored water education work was quite successful. Water education providers
were able to communicate face-to-face and through email. Through meetings and email
communication, support for a Colorado water education foundation has continued to grow.
Water education providers see a need for a foundation that includes all stakeholders and that
does not promote a particular viewpoint on water education. Ongoing dialogue allowed
significant progress toward establishing a foundation. There is strong support for a water
education coordinator who has excellent management and communication skills and can
provide a bridge between classroom educators and water education providers. The evaluation
of two pilot classroom projects provided a lens into future funding of projects. Survey data
from 15 water education programs provided some insight into what is currently happening
in water education in Colorado. However, survey data needs to be gathered from other
water education providers to give a more complete picture.

Part Two: Recommendations for the Future

Part two will focus on recommendations for future water education work. General
recommendations are given first followed by more specific recommendations. The
formation of a Colorado water education foundation will provide ongoing opportunities
for collaboration and meetings of water education providers/stakeholders, ongoing
communication through a listserve, and seed money for carefully selected pilot projects.
The structure and functions for the foundation should be carefully defined and refined in
the next six months with ongoing communication via meetings and email with water
education stakeholders. After the foundation is established, it can support the production
of water education materials, review of programs, and dissemination of materials. It's
critical that there is a full time coordinator for the foundation. Funding needs to be
stable and not totally dependent on grants and donations. It's crucial that all water
education providers and stakeholders for water education are informed regularly about
water education work and have opportunities for input.

Specific Recommendations
-Have comprehensive database of water education programs. This will also help
identify gaps and overlaps in water education.
-Identify effective adult water education programs in Colorado and other states.
-Provide coordinated adult water education programs and resources for Colorado (should
include history and law aspects)
-Continue listserve for ongoing communication with water education providers. Send
appropriate water information items to other listserves such as science and the MAST

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