Information and Education Programs

All states recognize that strong information and education programs are critical to achieving their nonpoint source program goals. This special feature section highlights nine especially innovative state information and education programs. It focuses on programs that provide technical assistance tailored to the locality (e.g., Rhode Island's onsite wastewater training center, Florida's Yards & Neighborhood program, California's voluntary rangeland management program, and Connecticut's NEMO program) and programs that incorporate an education component geared toward kids (e.g., Wyoming's stream monitoring program, Illinois's Salt Creek Wilderness, and North Dakota's Eco-Camp). It also includes the more traditional information and education programs (e.g., Wisconsin's Water Action Volunteers and Colorado's media campaign). These programs all have in common a wide network of partners and funding sources, as well as a creatively packaged approach.

• Ranch Water Quality Planning: Voluntary Rangeland Management Eases Impacts on California Watersheds
• Colorado Water Protection Project: League of Women Voters Guides Extensive Urban MPS Campaign
• Nonpoint Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO): Successful Connecticut Project Used as Model Nationwide
• Florida's Yards & Neighborhoods Program: More Than 1.2 Million People Reached
• The Salt Creek Wilderness: Illinois Zoo Offers Interactive Environmental Learning Experience
• North Dakota's Eco-Camps: Thousands of Students Have Fun While Learning
• University of Rhode Island Onsite Wastewater Training Center: Pioneering Agency Teches, Demonstrates Innovative Systems
• Water Action Volunteers: WAV and Its Partners Make a Difference in Wisconsin
• Stream Monitoring Network with Wyoming Schools: Trained Teams Initiate, Expand School Monitoring Programs