Oregon’s Watershed Stewardship Education Program: Reviewing our 10-year program

as a guide for the future

Derek GodwinWatershed Management

OSU Extension Service andExtension Sea Grant

Maine NEMO

Driving Forces in 1994

Needs Assessments

• Salmon Summit on campus in 1996

• Curriculum developed 1995 – 1996 (revised in 2001)

• Focus group sessions 1996

• Resulted in pilot test of workshops delivered in three coastal areas 1996 - 1998

• Started on coast, spread to Western Oregon, then statewide (2001 – 2006)

Watershed Stewardship Education Program 1996 - 2006

Growth and Decline of Program

Time

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Maine NEMO

Present Day Driving Factors

Needs Assessments: re-visiting a proven technique

• Picked issue of growth and development• Conducted scoping workshops with target

audience in three different types of communities: Portland, Grants Pass, Brookings

• Invited people representing partners and potential future audience

• What are the biggest issues/barriers related to “low impact growth” facing your community?

• What types of educational services are needed? (include target audience)

Changing Demands and Expertise

• From Salmon/Watershed/Rural to Water/Community/Urban-Rural interface

• Change in expertise and capacity within Extension

Moving Forward

• Maintain MWS program/recognition but modify existing topics and create new ones to meet audience needs

• Tailor program (topic, number, format) to meet a specific audience – small farms, municipal officials, rural-urban interface

• Consider MWS recognition over time

Maine NEMOMaine NEMO

Maine NEMO

Lessons Learned

• Identify issues/driving forces• Conduct needs assessment

with target audience• Filter assessment for what your

organization can and could accomplish• Make sure program delivery meets audience

interests and needs• Reflect on your ultimate goal and whether

your program will get you there