WATER EDUCATION, Best Education Practices

In 1988, the US Department of Agriculture and other Federal agencies embarked on an U.S. agency-wide focus on water. As part of this endeavor, Community & Environment received funding from several agencies to develop resources that would enhance the capacity of Extension educators and natural resource professionals to engage the public in managing and improving U.S. water resources. Content development and training events were conducted in collaboration with University and Federal agency partners from around the country. 

A study to identify youth water education needs and to provide model resources, served as the initial effort. Through that effort, Educating Young People About Water was developed for youth educators. All 50 States were involved in study and in developing related resource guides, in one way or another. Eventually those connections became the building blocks for future environment-education initiatives.

Key initiatives for Extension educators and natural resource professionals:

• Changing Public Behavior – Increase Citizen Involvement Using Target Audience Information
• Drinking Water and Human Health, USDA eXtension website
• Water Outreach Education – Facilitating Access to Resources and Best Practices