New Nutrient Pollution Outreach Materials from EPA

EPA has developed some new outreach materials as part of an effort to raise public awareness about nutrient pollution.  The goal is to help states and other entities engage their communities on this important environmental and public health issue. Please plan to share these resources with your utilities and partners in watershed protection and restoration. EPA’s materials cover a variety of topics and are aimed at a variety of audiences as follows:

• Community Outreach Toolkit (also attached):  The toolkit is designed to assist watershed groups, NGOs, states, and federal partners with messaging and outreach to the media about nutrient pollution through newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations and websites. The Community Outreach Toolkit focuses on four major components for media outreach:
  • Developing Key Messages;
  • Developing Press Materials;
  • Preparing for Outreach; and
  • Pitching to the Media.

• EPA’s Nonpoint Source Outreach Toolbox: This toolbox is also included in the Community Outreach Toolkit and offers a collection of public service announcements (PSAs) that have been developed by states, local government and others on nutrient pollution and other water quality issues.

• YouTube Video: This video aims to raise awareness about nutrient pollution, the first step in addressing and reducing the problem.

• Postcard/Poster:  This postcard “The Choice is Yours:  Clean Water or Green Water,” shows a before and after photo of Lake Erie to illustrate the impacts of nutrient pollution and highlights what you can do to prevent it.

• Future Farmers of America Curriculum: This curriculum was developed by EPA and several other federal agencies to develop lesson plans for young farmers about source water protection and management practices that can help control runoff to protect surface and groundwater. EPA has also supported outreach on nutrient pollution with FFA at their national convention and at meetings with national student leaders.
  
• EPA’s Nutrient Pollution Web Site:  You can access all of these, plus other materials, on EPA’s web site and Resource Directory.  Click on the banner at the top to go to the new education and outreach page at  http://water.epa.gov//polwaste/nutrientoutreach.cfm. The site includes a wealth of information on EPA actions to reduce nutrient pollution, state efforts to develop numeric nutrient criteria, and EPA tools, data, research, and reports.  There is also information for homeowners, students, and educators, including basic information about the sources of nutrient pollution; how it affects the environment, economy, and public health; and what people can do to reduce the problem. In addition, the home page features an interactive map with local case study examples.

• Infographic:  EPA is currently working on an Infographic that will graphically represent nutrient pollution information and data that enable complex information to be quickly and clearly shared with general audiences, as well as elementary and middle-school educators.

• New Watershed Academy Webcasts:  EPA’s Watershed Academy is planning to conduct some new webcasts including the next one that will be held on July 10, 2012 from 1:00 -3:00 pm (eastern) on USDA’s National Water Quality Initiative (NWQI). USDA’s NWQI is focusing on 157 priority watersheds in the U.S. in 2012. These 157 watersheds were identified with assistance from state agencies, key partners, and USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Technical Committees. NRCS will make available at least $33 million in financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and forest landowners this year in these priority watersheds to implement conservation practices to improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired lakes and streams. Using funds from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, NRCS will provide financial and technical assistance to producers for implementing conservation practices such as cover crops, nutrient management, filter strips and terraces. This webcast will highlight how this Initiative is working and how USDA’s NRCS is working with state water quality agencies and others to implement this Initiative in priority watersheds.

• Watershed Academy Archives:  EPA’s Watershed Academy has also archived a number of previously conducted webinars on nutrient pollution on its web site that you may find useful.

For more information, please contact Patricia Scott of EPA at scott.patricia@epa.gov