Georgia County Government - February 2008 - (Page 38)

ExtensionNews Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education By Jeff Christie UGA Cooperative Extension I t disturbed me greatly to read a recent newspaper article featuring Georgia citizens’ reactions to the historic drought. When a question about the worst-case scenario – residential taps running dry – was posed by the author, some people responded, “That simply cannot happen,” or, “That is not even a possibility.” The question was a fair one. The answers, though uninformed, helped me to understand the degree to which Georgia’s citizens still vastly underappreciate the severity of the drought and its implications for daily living. To this end, University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension is working harder than ever to deliver research-based, non-biased educational programming about water resources and water conservation to the people of Georgia’s counties. New partnerships are emerging, and more energy is being invested to maximize avenues for delivery and exposure. A recent example is the mutual effort of the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) and UGA Cooperative Exhibit at Georgia National Fair, organized by Bibb County Cooperative Extension, featuring waterSmart. 38 GEORGIA COUNTY GOVERNMENT Extension to update the ACCG-sponsored Web site, “Water Resources for Georgia County Governments” at www. GaH2o.org, to include a comprehensive section devoted to Extension water resources. Here, a user can view the vast array of publications, Students identify stream-side plants as part of watershed Web links, program- education at Wahsega 4-H center in Lumpkin County. ming opportunities available. Finally, the Web site features and resources available through county a list of UGA Extension professionals Cooperative Extension offices. If the need is who work with water resources, orgafor knowledge regarding conservation, there nized by area of specialization. are links to information on indoor water The future and direction of most of conservation, outdoor water conservation, Extension’s work with water resourcwater-wise landscaping and much more. es are being set by a working group Of special note in this section, users can called the Water Task Force. This group, download scripts and audio files for water formed to support the implementation conservation public service announcements of statewide water-resource program(PSAs). Recordings feature the voices of ming, is composed of experts in water UGA football coach Mark Richt and noted research, water education and outreach. landscape and gardening expert Walter The group is divided into three working Reeves. PSAs are also available in Spanish. subcommittees. The Indoor Water Use If a county wants to increase its and Outdoor Water Use groups are preknowledge regarding issues related to paring materials for use in programming the management of water resources, at the county level. Early in 2008, county there are links to wastewater manageExtension agents will be prepared to ment, water quality and drinking water. deliver programs for homeowners, civic For users interested in storm-water groups and other groups of concerned management or sediment and erocitizens. These materials are geared to sion control, there are links to training help train people in the basics of water opportunities, workshops and publicaconservation, and the goals of the protions. If an organization is interested gram are to help people: in pursuing water resource funding, • understand the importance of their links to water-related grants and advice individual and household water use; regarding seeking these grants is also

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - February 2008

Georgia County Government - February 2008 Contents President's Message County Matters Regional Focus on the Georgia Mountains: Rabun, Habersham and Stephens Counties DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb Solid Waste Management in Georgia: New Challenges Ahead Essential Elements of Negotiating Professional Service Firm Contracts The Walker County Courthouse at LaFayette Extension News: Partnerships are Key to Conservation Education Research Corner: Interns: An Asset to Every County NACo News: Counties and Climate Change FAQs Georgia Flag to Travel to All 159 Georgia Counties State Announces Regional Recycling Hub Grant Awards Abraham Joins ACCG Support Staff County Parade ACCG Launches e-Magazine Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - February 2008

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