A Report on the Progress of YN in South Carolina Katie Giacalone, Clemson Carolina Clear January 18, 2011
Carolina Yards & Neighborhoods is a Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service program designed to assist and guide South Carolina homeowners in conserving water in the landscape and in making positive changes in the environmental quality of their yards, neighborhoods, and surrounding waterways by implementing the principles of environmental landscape management.
Clemson s Carolina Clear Program is a comprehensive approach developed by Clemson University to inform and educate communities about water quality, water quantity and the cumulative effects of stormwater.
Carolina Clear s Homeowner Outreach Activities In partnership with communities, schools, organizations, Extension staff, property owners and others: Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshops Mobile LID Tours Rain Garden Workshops Rain Garden Demonstration Sites Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days Pet Waste Outreach
Carolina Clear s Homeowner Outreach Activities In partnership with communities, schools, organizations, Extension staff, property owners and others: Build Your Own Rain Barrel Workshops Mobile LID Tours Rain Garden Workshops Rain Garden Demonstration Sites Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days Pet Waste Outreach
Program Milestones 2002 Yardstick Workbook adapted from UF and printed for South Carolinians; presentations and resources distributed on CD; presentations to public 2005 Low Impact Gardening evolved (G. Forrester) and other similar extensions 2009 CYN Demonstration site built 2009 Steering Committee formed to revisit how CYN can be updated to meet needs 2010 Produced new resources and teaching tools 2011 Officially launch recognition program; will look to revisit Yardstick Workbook to add rain gardens and other updates; evaluate incentives and needs to encourage program use
Program Components 1. Advanced Master Gardener Training a) Agents and trained MGs deliver presentations to public 2. Presentation Developed for Classroom Presentations a) Covers all 9 elements or can be divided into themes for depth on those topics 3. Flipchart Developed for Outside Presentations and Displays a) Heavy duty, outdoor display with photos and text consistent with in classroom learning for public
3. The Flipchart 1 st Iteration will make some changes for next round Printed flex vinyl, 3 x2 Stands up, transports flat Currently piloting Feedback survey developed: 7/7 say too heavy, can streamline some principles Brings the program to the outdoors, but still retains the structure of the program. Cost approx. $350
Program Components 4. New Website Just search Carolina Yard should be first Google find
Program Components 5. Opportunities for Recognition Social marketing techniques of social pressure, awareness and reminders Self certification process New website about certification and form download 5 year certificate Receive thank you letter and certificate with options to purchase additional recognition items Window stickers Mailbox/post medallion Garden stepping stone Marble etched plaque County specific additional recognition methods
Homeow ner Recogniti on Certificat e [DRAFT] 5. Recognition Components
[ALL DRAFT] 5. Recognition Components Mailbox Magnet (white background), 3 x5 Window Sticker (transparent) Design, 3 x5 Yard Sign, 9 x12
Engraved Garden Stone 5. Recognition Components
Engraved Marble Tile 5. Recognition Components
Program Components 6. Demonstration Site(s) Currently, one fully established at Ladson Exchange Park One in progress in North Charleston Other potential sites for passive education and outdoor teaching classrooms being identified
Ladson Exchange Park, Ladson, SC In partnership with Ladson Fair Grounds, Tri County Master Gardeners, and the Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education Consortium
Program Challenges Cross program coordination Less staff, more work, more counties Balancing development between canned programs for ease of pick up and local specifics Tracking Consistent evaluations
Establishing a Baseline of Knowledge and Awareness 2009 telephone surveys (n=1600) demonstrated concern for water quality Very concerned/ Somewhat concerned Not very concerned/ Not at all concerned 73.8 79.9 82.1 81.5 26.2 20.1 17.8 18.5 Charleston, n=396 Myrtle Beach, n=394 Columbia/Sumter, n=400 Florence, n=394 Identified how respondents determine how much fertilizer to apply; If they do their own lawn or contract out; Consider likelihood of rain before fertilizing; Dump yard debris in ditches or storm drains;
Establishing a Baseline of Knowledge and Awareness (cont d) 2009 telephone surveys (n=1600) demonstrated concern for water quality Perspective on shoreline buffers Will survey again in 2012/2013 More results in Survey Says, J Contemporary Water Research & Education, December 2010 50 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 Effectiveness of Keeping Vegetation Mowed to the Edge of the Water Inland: Midlands Coastal: Charleston Coastal: Myrtle Beach Inland: Florence very effective somewhat effective
Appreciation is hereby expressed to the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program of the University of Florida IFAS for their tremendous assistance and for freely granting permission to adapt program material for the benefit of the residents of South Carolina. http://www.clemson.edu/extension/natural_resources/water/carolina_yards/index.html or search online for Clemson Carolina Yard
** With Special Thanks ** Many were involved in adding and developing these new materials and direction for the Carolina Yard & Neighborhood program in SC. Without their work and expertise, this would not have been possible! A very special thanks to Katie Giacalone, Clemson University Karen Neill, NC State University Dawn White, Clemson University Marguerite Porter, Clemson Karen Hall, Clemson University Extension Service Bob Polomski, Clemson University Benjamin Powell, Clemson Extension Gary Forrester, Clemson Extension Service Service Cory Tanner, Clemson Extension Lucy Bradley, NC State University Service Amy Dabbs, Clemson Extension Calvin Sawyer, Clemson Center for Service Watershed Excellence David Joyner, Clemson Extension Terasa Young, Clemson Extension Service Service Carlin Munnerlyn, Clemson Extension Service
For more information on the CYN program, please contact Katie at kgiacal@clemson.edu. Internet Search: Carolina Yard and Neighborhood