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survey results, or (4) if the results merely reflect Colorado's population (according to the U.S. <br />Census Bureau's 2006 population estimate 24.6% of people in Colorado are under 18). These <br />results also may highlight that adults may be reached more easily through mail and information <br />campaigns than with person to person educational programs. <br />The survey results indicate that many educators do not know the level of contact time with their <br />audience, as is typically the case with publications. Service learning was in the bottom three <br />educational types reported in four out of five budget categories. This may be due to the <br />significant amount of contact time necessary to move learners from awareness to action through <br />participation in a meaningful service project addressing water issues. Similarly, sessions of a <br />half day or longerwere more rarely reported than limited time spentwith respondents'target <br />audience. These results indicate that there may be significant opportunity to increase the <br />quantity and quality of action-oriented programs across the state. <br />With regard to topic, those budgets in the smallest category were the only ones where <br />riparian/wetland and aquatic life topics were in the top three reported frequencies. This indicates <br />that the large numbers of small budget programs are most focused on environmental issues <br />compared to programs with larger budgets. General Water Education, Water Conservation, and <br />Water Quality were commonly reported as covered topics across all budget categories. <br />Watershed Management was in the top three forthe largest three budget categories. Water <br />Quantity/Supply topics were marked by respondents at levels greater than 56% for the top three <br />budget categories. Water Recreation, Water Treatment, and Water Rights were consistently <br />reported at lower frequencies. <br />These responses may suggest that basic level water information is being provided in water <br />education programs, and few programs are addressing more specialized topics. While not every <br />topic should be incorporated into educational programming at the same frequency, there are <br />likely additional opportunities to add depth to the water education being covered. This lack of <br />depth may indicate a trend in water education where complex water issues are not addressed <br />as often as more simplistic concepts. Informational materials such as brochures, envelope <br />stuffers, and other printed materials may build basic awareness, yet additional elements that <br />develop appreciation, understanding, and ultimately action are necessary. To develop future <br />leadership, stewardship, and a workforce in water resources the total dollar amount spent on <br />water education could likely be used more effectively if fewer resources were used to support <br />printed materials and more to conduct educational programs. <br />Survey Weaknesses and Strengths <br />The survey did have several weaknesses, including that limited data was collected on <br />respondent demographics, making it difficult to stratify the responses or to verify statistical <br />validity of the sample population. The survey was not intended to address program <br />effectiveness. The survey did not identify who the successful educators are, where they are <br />and does not go in depth regarding how successful organizations may be structured. The <br />sampling design relied heavily on social networks, thus providing the potential to skew the data. <br />Lastly, the survey was designed for many different types of educational providers to give input. <br />However, some questions were awkward forvarious groups, such as teachers forwhomthe <br />survey was not designed to explicitly reach. In addition, the definitions of some phrases in the <br />questions were not always clear, leading to some unresolved questions, such as the amount of <br />contact time spent with each respondent's audience. <br />The strengths of the survey are many. Respondents came from a broad geographic range and <br />diverse set of education providers. While many questions are left unanswered, such as how <br />WETF 2008 Final Report pg. 8 <br />