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state. This approach generalizes conditions for the state; and it is important to recognize that <br />the conditions in each local watershed in Colorado will vary significantly. <br />The types of opportunities available and referred to as education within the water education <br />community varied from brochures tomulti-day residential programs. This creates a broad <br />definition of education and is inclusive of the many ways to increase awareness. However, <br />educational research, task force members, focus group members, and public comments agree <br />that printed and other informational avenues do not lead to stewardship or effective learning by <br />themselves. <br />Recommendations <br />In keeping with their charge to provide recommendations for improving water education in <br />Colorado, Task Force members considered the opportunities and threats identified during this <br />project through the lens of their common goals for water education throughout the state. The <br />two common goals agreed upon by members of the task force and focus groups are (1) to <br />achieve higher levels of water stewardship of Colorado's water resources through education, <br />and (2) to increase the awareness and understanding about the importance of water in <br />Colorado. <br />In light of these goals, participants in the WETF are recommending that the State of Colorado <br />lead efforts for its agencies, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, residents and <br />visitors to achieve higher levels of water stewardship by*: <br />• Supporting astate-wide public education initiative to increase the public's understanding <br />and stewardship of Colorado's water resources. Colorado's state funded water <br />education programs are to focus beyond information transferthrough printed or other <br />media informational campaigns and incorporate further elements which develop <br />appreciation, understanding, and ultimately action on behalf of Colorado's water <br />resources. <br />• Developing and supporting consistent and audience-appropriate messages to raise <br />awareness about the importance of water in our state; including a public relations <br />campaign. <br />• Establishing long-term, adequate funding for intra-and inter-state collaboration <br />opportunities among Colorado's water educators that build upon existing networks <br />(including but not limited to clearinghouse/database of water education opportunities, <br />interactive communication/discussion board, listserv, networking opportunities, grant <br />opportunities, training opportunities on evaluation tools and best practices for water <br />education providers, etc.). <br />• Maximizing learning opportunities by cross-collaborating with those working to educate <br />about other natural resource issues (e.g., climate change, energy, wildlife, etc.). <br />• Coordinating education efforts across Departments and Divisions (i.e., coordinating <br />efforts across the Departments of Education, Natural Resources, Health and <br />Environment, Agriculture, Governor's Energy Office and others, as well as, coordination <br />within each Department). <br />• Ensuring that water resource content and stewardship skills are of continued importance <br />to the Colorado Department of Education and integrated into the K-12 Model Content <br />Standards. Characterize the needs of K-12 educators to include water education in <br />classrooms. <br />• Establishing long-term, adequate funding to support or establish effective water resource <br />education that emphasizes moving learners from awareness to action. <br />WETF 2008 Final Report pg. 14 <br />