2nd National Extension Nat Res Conference-Abstract 55

Derek Godwin, Watershed Management Extension Specialist, Marion County Extension Service, 3180 Center Street NE. Room. 1361, Salem, OR 97301; 503.566.2909; Derek.Godwin@orst.edu; Flaxen D.L. Conway, Extension Community Outreach Specialist, Oregon State University, 307 Fairbanks Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331-3703; and
Michael Cloughesy, Director of Forestry Outreach Education, Oregon State University, 202 Peavy Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331

There are a number of state initiatives or programs in Oregon and other parts of the country that aim to mitigate watershed health problems by implementing voluntary practices. These programs rely on landowners or managers to develop management plans and voluntarily make changes in their practices. Many programs encourage the formation of community organizations (watershed councils, associations, and related groups) to ensure watershed planning and management, develop an educated, paid and volunteer workforce, and outreach to other citizens for support. However, there have been few extensive educational programs teaching these audiences about watershed processes, water quality, fish needs, monitoring, planning, and how to develop and sustain successful partnerships.

Oregon State University Extension Service has developed the Watershed Stewardship Educational Program (WSEP) to provide research-based education necessary to sustain watershed ecosystems. WSEP is a comprehensive program aimed at watershed councils/groups and the citizens they represent (landowners, land managers, educators, volunteers, paid workforce, youth leaders, stakeholders, decision makers, and the general public). It consists of a practical curriculum, training materials, and learning aids that enable target audiences to learn how to form effective partnerships, and to assess, implement, and monitor projects that mitigate or enhance their watershed resources.

WSEP is a joint program of OSU Extension?s Agriculture, Forestry, and Sea Grant Extension Program Areas. It was pilot tested for over a year in 3 regions of the Oregon coast. During the pilot period, there were 1,000 Learning Guides (the practical curriculum) produced and distributed to workshop attendees, supporting agencies, and individuals around the region. The Learning Guide was evaluated by outside reviewers around the U.S., with 87.5% of reviewers giving it an ?Outstanding? (50%) or ?Very Good, make only minor adjustments? overall recommendation.

Over 500 people attended roughly 20 pilot workshops in the pilot period. Due to the success and demand for WSEP, the Governor?s office, Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board, and state and federal agencies have accepted this educational program as the basic educational program for watershed councils around the state. It is also being modified for delivery in New York and Louisiana. As the program expands statewide, Extension continues to help convene groups of interested parties, facilitate discussion around these important public issues, and deliver education that initiates change and makes a difference.