Those who read this water blog and who have taken my environmental writing and communications trainings have offered this praise:

“Mr. Eckl is an environmentalist and also a marketing consultant who understands how to persuade people. He said that scientists, government officials, and his fellow environmentalists often…fail to get through because in many cases people don’t know what they are talking about and therefore don’t care. Mr. Eckl is absolutely right.”
– Eric Smith, Annapolis Capital

“…we’ve begun to use the Words and the concepts to retool our education of the public. Its proven to be much more effective than our previous approaches.”
– Andrew Pelloso, Indiana Department of Environmental Management

“…in our last newsletter we incorporated some of your method in an article on pet waste… we received more response via phone calls, emails, and notes on payment coupons regarding that article than anything we have previously done. You have made us a believer.”
–Jeremiah Johnson, Beckley, WV Sanitary Board

“I have begun using [Water Words That Work] for talks to the local folks. I get a better response since I started… I get more questions than I used to get.”
– Ted Withrow, Kentucky Division of Water

“That was one the best workshops I have attended… The amount of information that you provided that can be put to use right away was amazing.”
— Mark Doneux, Capital Region Watershed District

“I enjoyed your presentation immensely. While everything you present makes intuitive sense and we have all heard in one way or another, it is awesome that you have brought it all in one place and can prescribe so succinctly this effective approach to getting a message out through the ‘Water Words That Work’ method.”
— Nellie Tsipoura, New Jersey Audubon Society

“We wanted.. a speaker who could close the conference on a high note with inspiration, a big picture vision and good humor and you certainly did that!”
— Marcy Damon, Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council chair

“Thank you so much for your participation in the Partners In Watershed Education Conference. The evaluation forms are singing your praises.”
— Dorian Morgan, Southwest Florida Water Management District

“Superb…Dynamic and great audience participation”

– Audience Feedback, 2010 Water Resources Education Network Grantee Conference

“He is incredibly entertaining… Excellent speaker and funny.”
– Audience feedback, 2008 Chesapeake Watershed Forum

“Your web site is such a great reference – I wish I could FORCE some of my colleagues to read it.”
— Laurie Tennace, Florida Department of Environmental Protection

“This is the best workshop I’ve ever been to!…”
– Audience feedback, 2008 River Rally

“Thank you for your thoroughly engaging presentation… Numerous people went out of their way to tell me how valuable they thought it was.”
— Ann Regn, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

“…your blog has completely changed the way I see public outreach and it has made such a difference!”
– Heather Saunders, Upper Neuse River Basin Association

“Way beyond expectations… I hadn’t thought about this side of working towards change.”
– Audience feedback, 2006 Chesapeake Watershed Forum

“…Water Words That Work was a tremendous success. I received many positive comments about the workshop and your information.”
– Matt Moore, Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts

“Eric’s passion for people and communications is evident in the work he does, touching on issues that matter to most of us. He is a great teacher and presenter. Anyone who attends his workshop sessions will walk away excited and ready to implement what he has clearly explained, with an ‘I can do this’ attitude.”
– Kelly Flynn, Advanced Learning Institute

“…went beyond fluff to the real stuff.”
– Erin Moore, Conservation Northwest

“I think Water Words is really excellent and can help you get your message out more effectively.”
– John Ulmer, Central Indiana Watersheds

“I have found your blog so incredibly helpful that it has transformed the way I communicate with our membership. I now regularly use WWTW in action alerts, newsletter articles, appeal letters, and just daily interaction.”
–Lori Martell, Georgia Forest Watch

“Eric was the best speaker of the group…”
– Audience Feedback, 2008 Government and Social Media Conference

“Terrific, research-driven…”
– Idealware

“Awesome!… It really made a splash with me.”
– Patti Mason, Flathead Conservation District

“Eric is a brilliant guy and really knows this community from years of working with the river rats.”
– Marty Kearns, Green Media Toolshed/Network Centric Advocacy

“Thanks for all your work; I find it very interesting and helps me constantly think about how to encourage behavior change…”
– Matt Salter, EnviroSMART

“…a great resource for conservation and pollution control organizations.”
–Sam Know, One/Northwest

“I am learning quite a bit… The ‘words with documented shortcomings’ was particularly useful as I do many presentations on nonpoint source pollution and have seen confused faces when I used that term.”
– Emily Tyner, Center for Marine and Environmental Studies, University of the Virgin Islands

“Water Words that Work is really helpful and the best part of the training…. Eric Eckl was a wonderful speaker, the information he shared was so incredibly useful. I felt energized and well-equipped to improve my communication style.”
— Participants’ Feedback, Chesapeake Bay Leaders workshop

“…really quite helpful and not ‘spun’ at all.”
– Visualize Whirled Peas

“…the best part of the whole conference.”
– Audience Feedback, 2007 Government and Social Media Conference

“….offer[s] important and thought-provoking information in a fun and charismatic way.”
– Jessica Blackburn, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay

“I love water words that work. Really helpful, and fun. A winning combination…”
— Trish Aldrich, Ipswich River Watershed Association

“You did a first rate job with the wrap-up plenary presentation. Participants identified your talk as one of the highlights of the conference.”
— Jeanne Christie, Association of State Wetland Managers

“LOVED the Water Words that Work class at Rutgers today! Excellent job!”
— Katie Barnett, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection