Published 2019-04-19
Abstract
Water conservation, quality, and availability are top priorities in Florida. The University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, at the request of Governor Scott, and after consultations with stakeholders statewide, created an extension initiative to address our water challenges. Within this initiative, raising awareness of water issues was identified as a key priority at the statewide Extension Water Summit. Throughout the state, extension agents are addressing numerous issues for long term sustainable and diverse use of water resources. Decision makers have pivotal influence on how water resources will be managed at county and regional levels. To reach this critical audience, a statewide team of experienced agents designed materials for the Water Schools for Public Officials Extension Program. A Water School is an educational program targeting elected leaders, public officials, and community leaders on water resource issues in their regions. Water Schools promote awareness of local, regional, and statewide water issues and potential solutions to local water challenges. Post program evaluation results from the statewide In Service Training (IST) found that prior to the IST, attendees felt the least confident about the strategies to recruit the Water School target audience. After the IST, respondents self-assessed their skills as “very good” or “good” for all key Water School design and delivery tasks. There was an increased interest in holding a Water School within the next two years. Based on these results, future Water School ISTs may be held and the Water School team will provide assistance to counties that will present future Water Schools.