A new clean water poll is out on the streets, this time the researchers polled residents of the Milwaukee, Kinnickinnic, and Menomonee River watersheds. For the most part, it’s the same old same old: Low awareness of what happens to polluted runoff, low awareness of the names of water bodies (other than Lake Michigan), etc…
But in the second half of the poll, things do get interesting. The pollsters asked residents to rate the effectiveness of various government actions (such as reducing road salt and offering tax incentives to save water). And this kicker:
Results of an environmental poll in Wisconsin
In this survey, less than 1 in 10 report that they have a responsibility to protect to region’s water resources for future generations! That number is so low compared to other polls in my collection that I have to wonder some numbers got transcribed incorrectly somewhere along the way.
But assuming it is correct, then here is some free advice to the conservationists in Wisconsin: You must focus your energy on reminding citizens that they do have a responsibility to protect clean water for future generations — and you must step up your efforts to encourage them that the actions they take make a difference. This is far more important than trying to “educate” them on how storm drains work.
Good luck!
Click here for: Ambivalent Attitudes Toward Protecting the Region’s Waterways
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This is truly sad. At a time when many funders are putting their energy and finances into “on the ground projects,” the need for social marketing is at an all time high. Combinging physcial improvements with outreach seems to be the only way to pay for outreach. Any ideas for better ways to do this?
I live in the Puget Sound area and work for a water conservation nonprofit called Friends of the Cedar River Watershed. We are finding some really good success with a new initiative called the Watershed Report, which is a partnership between school districts, cities (specifically the stormwater managers and city engineers), and the nonprofit community. We’re getting a lot of traction with students, administrators, and cities because of this project, which has behavior change as one of its primary goals. There is a lot of attention being focused on stormwater in our area due to the high level of pollution entering the Sound as well as community appreciation for the natural beauty of the Sound. You’re right, social marketing is critical. This project is all student-based and really impressive!
For a little inspiration have a look at these videos on our homepage (bottom left side): http://www.cedarriver.org. Thanks for the opportunity to keep talking about these important issues. Water is life.