The State of Colorado's Watersheds Report 2005

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statewide update Balanced and Accurate Information and Education About Water Resource Concerns r . At f About the Foundation The Colorado Foundation for Water Education is a non -profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to promoting bet- ter understanding of Colorado's water resources and issues through balanced and accurate information and educa- tion. Our products and programs are targeted to public decision makers, water professionals, environmental and watershed groups, the business community, teachers, and people with an interest in water. Initiated in 2002, the Foundation holds a unique position in that we are the only statewide non - governmental, non - partisan organization working to provide impartial water resource infor- mation and education opportunities. Assistance to Watershed Groups Watershed groups are in a unique position to provide targeted education on water resource topics that matter to local residents. The Foundation rec- ognizes this special role, and is work- ing hard to make your educational mission easier. In response to your needs, our Citizen's Guide series provides easy - to -read desk references on topics such as water law, water quality, and water conservation. This last year the Foun- dation released the Citizen's Guide to Colorado's Water Heritage, and the Citizen's Guide to Where Your Water Comes From. Free maps of the state's water history and river basins are also available. Call the office to inquire about our Speakers Bureau, and who might be available to present at your next event. F3 01 To help keep up -to -date on the latest issues, the Foundation publish- es a quarterly magazine Headwaters, which it distributes to more than 5,000 readers. If you have a story from your watershed that you think should re- ceive statewide attention, please give us a call. In June 2006, the Foundation will be providing a tour of the headwa- ters of Colorado's three major river systems: the Colorado, Arkansas and South Platte. A year -long Water Lead- ers Course will also begin January 15, 2006. Applications are due December 1 and limited scholarships are avail- able. And don't forget to submit infor- mation about your upcoming event to our web site, and check out our state- wide calendar of water - related events. How Effective Are Your Educational Efforts? Don't forget the Top 5 methods for evaluating educational effec- tiveness: 1) Pre -post tests (event specific or general) 2) Observation 3) Focus groups 4) Surveys 5) Interviews From the "Behavioral Impact Study on Groundwater Foun- dation Student Education Pro- grams " December 2000. Are Your Educational Programs Addressing These Three Major Principles of Effective Instruction? • Addressing students' initial understanding and preconceptions about topics; • Providing a foundation of factual knowledge and conceptual understand- ing; and • Teaching strategies that will help students take control of their learning. From the National Research Council's "How Students Learn: History, Mathematics, and Science in the Classroom. " It follows the NRC's widely read 1999 publication, "How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience and School." Our Citizen's Guide series provides easy - to -read desk reference on topics such as water law, water quality, and water conservation.