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THE ALABAMA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SYSTEM’S ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP CLINIC SERIES: A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF PARTNERSHIP, FORMAT, AND IMPACT.

Natural Resources/Aquaculture

Norman Haley
Regional Extension Agent
Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Scottsboro

Abstract

Because of increasing public awareness and interest towards watershed management and natural resource stewardship, the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) partnered with the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), Cherokee County Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Weiss Lake Improvement Association through a 319d Impaired Waterway Grant to host a pilot series of clinics designed to educate towards best management practices (BMPs) throughout Cherokee County, AL. This free Environmental Stewardship Clinic Series was open to anyone interested in learning more about watershed management issues and building or adding to their environmental stewardship toolbox. The series consisted of monthly, 2-hour workshops from January – June 2013 at varied locations throughout the county. Clinics addressed a wide array of topics through a classroom presentations and outdoor/hands-on demonstrations. Participation was incentivized through signage and t-shirts bearing a clinic logo, certificates, and logging and forestry continuing education credits. Participant backgrounds varied from livestock producers, gardeners, loggers, foresters, poultry producers, ACES agents, and home, pond, and lake property owners, etc. Participant evaluations proved favorable with satisfaction ratings averaging 96% while average increase in knowledge was 21%. A 92% likelihood of adopting the information and techniques covered and a 96% probability of attending future clinics/ ACES related events was indicated. The program and partnership was one of few examples of the successful coordination of a contract between ACES and ADEM to complete the educational component of a 319d Impaired Waterway Grant and interest has been shown to replicate and deliver similar programming at the state level. Authors: Haley, III, N. V., Miller, D. S., Marks, M. L., Becker, C. M., Landrem, C., Stanford, M. K.
  1. Haley, III, N. V. Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35967
  2. Miller, D. S. County Coordinator, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35960
  3. Marks, M. L. Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35960
  4. Becker, C. M. Regional Extension Agent, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Alabama, 35630
  5. Landrem, C. Sec. 319d Grant Administrator, Soil & Water Conservation District, Alabama, 35960
  6. Stanford, M. K. Extension Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, 35962