Should Monterey County increase funding for outdoor environmental education programs in Salinas? Krystal Schneider

Background

Environmental Movement Social awareness

1993 Return of the Natives Non-profit organization

Population growth in Salinas ~150,000 citizens

Policy Content Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Clean Water Act National Pollutant Discharge Elimination

System (NPDES) storm water requirements control water pollution by regulating point

sources and discharge water

Stakeholder AnalysisFor increasing

Environmentalists Value: protection of

the environment Claim: Assumption:

Funding will create awareness within communities.

Decreasing or Maintaining Education System

Value: better testing scores

Claim: Assumption:

Statement of Policy Options Increase funding Continue to decrease funding Maintain the current funding

Evaluation of Policy Options Effectiveness Community Acceptance Efficiency

Policy Options  Effectiveness              Community Acceptance

Efficiency

Policy Option #1 Increase funding for outdoor environmental education programs in Salinas County. 

Pros: Increased funding for programs leads to an increase in environmental protection due to an increase of community awareness and concern.

Cons: none

Pros: The community understands how an increase in funding benefits the local environments and youths education.

Cons: none

Pros: The increase of funding is efficient in creating more environmental programs and not out weighting the benefits. Cons: decreases funding for other priorities in the city.

Policy Option #2 Continue to decrease funding for outdoor environmental programs in Salinas County.

Pros: none

Cons: Does not enhance protection for the environment and natural resources.

Pros: Community acceptance and support in funding going to other needs in Salinas.  Cons: There is less awareness of environmental impacts, and the community does not understand what is trying to be achieved.

Pros: There is an increase of funding for other priorities in Salinas, such as enforcement and health. Cons: Current environmental programs shut down due to low funding. 

Policy Option #3 Make no changes to the amount of funding for outdoor environmental education programs in Salinas County.

Pros: Current funding protects the “current local projects” resulting in environmental protection.

Cons: None.

Pros: The community understands the need for funding for environmental programs

Cons: Community members do not understand how this policy is supposed to widen its boundaries with a non-growing budget.

Pros: Funding left for other priorities Cons: Funding is not at what it needs to be to be able to involve other schools. 

Prioritization of Assumptions Protection of the

Environment Community

Awareness Education

Federal Defense Medicare Health

Concessions Decreased funding for

other priorities Citizens use of

programs? No one really seams to

know much about current policies

Little authority from the environmental education supervisor (check name)

Increased social awareness of impacts to the local environments

Limitations

Consequences Community

members are unaware

Increased debris Natividad Creek

Park

Healthier environments

Decreased pollution

Implications

Justification Future One Earth

Recommendation Increase

funding!!!

Conclusion