Outreach & Education
The goals set for the Nissequogue River Watershed area will require a conscientious effort by all members of the community. Outreach and education is a priority in the Action Plan because the more the community is aware of the ramifications of human actions and behavior, the more equipped it is to adapt to more sustainable processes. The effects of educating the public about the environmental are potentially exponential in that daily interactions with people within our neighborhood can have a great deal of effect on individual behavior. If residents in a community start becoming particularly knowledgeable on the issues facing the watershed and change their actions accordingly, they will be seen as a good example and resource by others curious on ways they can become more sustainable in their day to day activities. Finally, by making the information in the plan freely and easily available, residents will have the access and tools they need in order to better where they live.
Goal for Outreach & Education:
To educate and engage the public to promote stewardship
Outreach & Education Goal: To educate and engage the public to promote stewardship
Objective: Create an educational "mechanism" that aims to educate every level of stakeholders about the ecological significance and importance of the Nissequogue River watershed.
It is important that citizens, schools, businesses and local governments understand the functions of the Nissequogue River watershed system. The following action items could be done independently by Implementation Committee members; however, the hiring of an implementation coordinator can ensure that information and education is ongoing through continuous communication between the watershed residents, users, government and members of the committee.
Action 1: Organize and lead watershed walks to develop an inventory of storm drains for educational purposes (i.e. stenciling).
Implementing Group: Local governments (i.e., Suffolk County, Town of Smithtown), and local state agencies (i.e. NY Sea Grant Non-point Education for Municipal Officials (NEMO) program, NYSDEC)
Timeline: Upon release of the Action Plan
Action 2: Maintain a speakers bureau comprised of Implementation committee members who have expertise in certain areas who are willing to provide presentations to various groups in the watershed.
Implementing Group: Individuals from state parks, local state agencies (i.e. NYSDEC, NY Sea Grant) and local conservation agencies, environmental educators, and researchers
Timeline: Upon release of the Action Plan
Action 3: Develop and hold a "Watershed awareness day".
Implementing Group: Local government, state parks, local state agencies (i.e. NYSDEC, NY Sea Grant), local conservation agencies, community members, and environmental educators.
Timeline: Upon release of the Action Plan
Action 4: Establish an education workgroup of formal and informal educators to share existing watershed curriculum or programs and develop new ideas. Specific actions for consideration include but are not limited to:
a. Survey of current curriculum activities, and coordination of new ideas
b. Facilitate wildlife education programs (i.e., "Don't feed the ducks", brook trout)
c. Develop Advanced Placement (AP) class projects and research dedicated to the River
Implementing Group: Formal and informal educators from local and state agencies, conservation groups (i.e. Trout Unlimited, Ducks Unlimited), nature centers, and state parks, and High school students (i.e., Smithtown and Kings Park high schools).
Timeline: Within one year of release of the Plan
Action 5: Develop a municipal conservation easement education program.
Implementing Group: Local governments (e.g., Town of Smithtown)
Timeline: Within two years of release of the Action Plan
Action 6: Develop workshops describing the watershed, its importance and value to the region, key contacts, and environmental concerns (i.e. riparian buffer, pesticides, and fertilizers) for new watershed residents. These workshops can reference the guides discussed in previous Action Items.
Implementing Group: Local government, NY DEC, local conservation agencies, and Real Estate Board of NY
Timeline: Within two years of release of the Action Plan
Objective: Create and implement a monitoring program in conjunction with educational efforts.
Empowering the local community to monitor the quality of the Nissequogue watershed is a crucial step towards a grassroots understanding of and appreciation for the physical connection between community and a clean, healthy watershed.
Action 1: Conduct water quality monitoring (i.e., Adopt-A-Stream, monitoring sediment loading, temperature, salinity)
Implementing Group: Local high school students (i.e., Smithtown and Kings Park high schools) and educational groups (i.e. BOCES)
Timeline: Upon release of the Action Plan
Action 2: Conduct shoreline quality monitoring/cleanups throughout the watershed (e.g., documenting amount and type of trash found).
Implementing Group: Local conservation and community groups (i.e. American Littoral Society, Adopt-a-Beach coordinators, scout troops, Town of Smithtown Conservation Board, and Canoe and Kayaks Association).
Timeline: Upon release of the Action plan; coordinated with International Beach Cleanup Day, held yearly each September
Objective: Develop printed/produced materials that provide visually-engaging and educational information about the Nissequogue River Watershed to the local community and relevant stakeholders.
Introductory Statement: The dissemination of materials is a highly effective and proven method of educating and informing. By expanding our reach, both in terms of location and groups of stakeholders, we increase our chances of successfully engaging the local citizenry and influencing decision-makers.
Action 1: Develop and post watershed signage indicating the boundaries of the Nissequogue River Watershed, significant habitat types, and boating navigation rules.
Implementing Group: Local and State governments and parks
Timeline: Within one year of release of the Action Plan
Action 2: Produce informational resources on the importance of key habitat types and species within the Nissequogue River watershed. Priority should be given to species for which information is lacking (i.e. alewife)
a. Initially, brochures, maps, and/or fact sheets.
b. After basic resources are developed, a CD and/or DVD should be created combining all information.
Implementing Group: Collaborative effort of state park service, local state agencies (i.e. NYSDEC) local conservation agencies, and researchers
Timeline: Within one year of release of the Action Plan
Action 3: Produce a tool to identify access points, canoe/kayak guides, recreational points of interest, nature centers, beaches, fishing areas, marinas, boat launches, restaurants, pump out stations, and nature trails within the watershed.
a. Initially, information should be presented in the forms of brochures and/or maps.
b. After basic resources are developed, a CD and/or DVD should be created combining all information.
Implementing Group: State parks, local governments (i.e. Suffolk County, Town of Smithtown), local nature centers, and local businesses (i.e.marinas, restaurants, outdoor recreation)
Timeline: Within one year of release of the Action Plan
Action 4: Develop a nonpoint source pollution guide for residents, businesses, and agencies. Separate guides could be developed to target each group.
Implementing Group: Local governments (i.e., Suffolk County, Town of Smithtown), local state agencies (NY Sea Grant NEMO program, NY DEC), and other related groups
Timeline: Within two years of release of the Action Plan
Action 5: Develop a display describing the watershed, its importance and value to the region, and environmental concerns to be posted at parks.
Implementing Group: State Parks and local artists
Timeline: Within two years of release of the Action Plan
