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One key to improving water quality in the District's lakes and streams is The number of individuals, informed and involved citizens that take appropriate steps in their neighborhoods organizations, partners, and on their properties to improve the quality of stormwater runoff. Recognizing ' and sponsors involved in this important relationship between land owner practices and the quality of watershed stewardship is urban stormwater, RWMWD made watershed education a priority. Challenges to maintained or increased. educating residents include: Incentive programs and • Increasing public awareness of RWMWD as media costs also increase engaging activities cultivate active participation among • Increasing the number of partnerships when partner expectations vary; ~ all audiences. for example, site improvements must be acceptable to the site owner and ~ ~~~= District office site- affected infrastructure owners (the cities) based education efforts • Providing technical assistance to numerous neighborhood involvement and promote understanding education projects when staff resources are limited ~ and implememation of stormwater BMPs. • Developing, within the existing budget, the necessary additional programs Citizen access ro District to serve multiple education audiences information via the e-news- i letter, website, telephone, Challenges inherent in any public education program will continue for the District: mail, email, community • Reaching the most relevant audiences when they are most receptive to outreach, and office visits leanling and changing established individual, institutional, and corporate ~ increases awareness of the practices that negatively impact water resources I District and its activities. Meetin ublic ex ectations for immediate and obvious results when g p p }' The District effectively ~ involves schools to improvements to water quality and/or natural resources may not be apparent accomplish tangible for several years improvements in water • Maintaining meaningful interaction with individuals, landowners, and quality and resident understanding of watershed organizations in a highly mobile society management. • Addressing changes in technology and standards of practice The District Watershed Advisory Commission continues to be an active and In order to meet an ever growing demand far information and interaction, the effective volunteer advisory and support group. public involvement and education program will: Cities continue to be • Establish incentive programs, as well as relevant education or neighborhood active partners with the education, to encourage individuals, businesses, and community institutions to District through committee share responsibilities and create sustained watershed stewardship efforts involvement, program support • Design a technical assistance approach to support land owners, institutions, and project collaboration. -, and businesses attempting new watershed stewardship practices ~~_ ~ _ ~~~ _' • Continue collaborative education efforts for metro-wide general public ~- ~` '-` ~~ 1_.,~ ~ _i, education messages as well as for RWMWD communities = _ - - ,.r__ ~'"-_ • Establish an education program, as well as an on-site volunteer program, related to the new office site education center `~ ~ ' ~~; ,~~!~ u , • Develop and implement methods/programs for measuring, tracking, and - ~ reporting progress towards meeting education and citizen involvement goals An an~ntal Y3~aterFest celebration educates ciri~ens about rater resources. www.rwmwd.org Page 14