Extension
It Starts With Us
Addressing Water Issues
Raising Environmental Awareness
Dan Allen, Michele Stanton
Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
Kenton County is bordered by two major rivers (Licking and Ohio). These two primary watersheds are negatively affected by land use. Further, farmers and landowners of 10+ acres are voluntarily filing water quality plans.
Residents would implement BMPs that would improve the quality and cleanliness of the streams and rivers.
Best management practices are embraced by the residents and land owners. These practices are sought after as the "norm" in stewardship of land ownership.
Extension service would work with other organizations to teach and demonstrate best management practices addressing living in watersheds and near streams.
Initial Outcome: Implementation of BMPs
Indicator: Change in behavior and understanding of the need for water quality
Method: Evaluations and from organization like Sanitation District's ongoing water monitoring programs
Timeline: Post class, yearlyIntermediate Outcome: Survey, observation during farm visits.
Long-Term Outcome: Cleaner water system in county.
Audience: Farm or land owners
Project or Activity: Water Quality Plan Training
Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality plan
Inputs: Agent and UK website
Date: May 2020
Audience: Urban or Suburban Resident
Project or Activity: Living in a Watershed
Content or Curriculum: UK Publications
Inputs: UK publications, use of new Kenton County Extension facility, Sanitation District watershed park
Date: September 2019
Audience: All Residents
Project or Activity: Living Along a Stream/ Licking River Basin Coordinator Program
Content or Curriculum: UK Water Quality Plan, Kentucky Division of Water Pubs
Inputs: Agents and Kentucky Division of Water
Date: May 2020Audience: All landowners, homeowners, residents
Project or Activity: Soil testing; Participants learn the value of avoiding non-needed fertilizers and using BMPs to reduce fertilizer runoff
Content or Curriculum: UK-lab soil testing and interpretations
Inputs: UK Regulatory Services, County Agents, UK publications
Date: Ongoing
Author: Daniel Allen
Major Program: Water and Soil Quality and Conservation
In a twenty year study by Stanford University on the benefits of environmental education for students it was revealed that environmental education has led to a number of positive impacts, from improving academic performance, to enhancing critical thinking skills, to developing personal growth and life-building skills including confidence, autonomy, and leadership. Some of these studies has found that environmental education students were more likely to be civically engaged. The Kenton
