Table of Contents 6 2012 OVATION Awards Winning Entries

Budget
Resource
Quantity/Effort/Cost
Communications Specialist
Creative Services Support
Ongoing communications support (40 hours)
Collateral (20 hours)
Writer (Internal) / Editor (Internal) Staff Writer/No cost (about 200 hours) / Committee (100
hours)
Illustrator (External) $2,500
Self Publisher (External Publishing House) $15,000 /3,000 copies
Storytelling Kit/Printing/Promotion Materials $15,000
Measurement / Evaluation
Objective
O‐1. Educate adult target audiences in Halton by
reaching out to children though a picture book
and related toolkit that encourages action so
that at least 75 per cent of those who evaluate
the book (at least 50 people) in 2011 indicate
they would use it to introduce environmentthemed
discussions.
O‐2. By December 2011, inform target audiences
of the new picture book’s availability resulting
in:
at least three positive articles in the local
media
at least one blog post and eight
Tweets/retweets
traffic to related web page (at least 50
visitors)
distribution of at least 2,000 copies
Results
To date 96 per cent of online survey respondents (69
evaluations) and 99 per cent of the focus testers (100 testers)
said they would use the book to introduce an environmentthemed
discussion; 100 per cent of online survey respondents
and 99 per cent of the focus testers said they would give the
book to a child they know. We continue to ask for feedback to
add to our evaluation results. (A‐9)
More than three positive stories carried locally by the
Oakville Beaver and Acton Tanner, Inside Halton, Burlington
Life, Halton Environment Network News, and internationally
by The Press Enterprise (California), India Times (A 3)
At least eight blog posts, 15 tweets and retweets and three
Facebook postings (A 3)
As of Dec. 2011, more than 2,000 visits to the web page (A
10)
More than 2,500 copies distributed (Dec. 2011)
Other Results: Book is featured in OPHEA Resource Database, Learning for a Sustainable Future Database,
Oakville’s Stewardship Guide, and Eco‐Letter, City of Burlington’s Environmental Report. (A 9) Comment from
one evaluator: “I really enjoyed how this book made a difficult topic like climate change very understandable
and interesting for both children and adults. Children will learn a great deal from A Farewell to Featherwagons,
and also have a lot of fun while reading it.”
The response to this resource gained from the initial online survey and focus test has been
overwhelmingly positive; children and teachers have written personal thank you notes to the author (A‐
9), Councillors have requested copies, and invitations to present the project to other jurisdictions
continue to come in. Though difficult to make a direct link, it is encouraging to note that according to
Ontario's most recent Air Quality Report 17 , emissions of common air pollutants are now decreasing
across the province. Smog alerts in Halton have also decreased (from 6 in 2008 to 1 in 2011). The book
is a key component of Halton’s overall air quality campaign. We believe it has made a significant impact:
we know more families in Halton are now talking about/thinking about their transportation habits,
particularly how cars affect air quality and climate change in relation to health, and are learning some
small steps they can take to decrease their own carbon footprint and protect their health.
17 http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/environment/en/resources/STDPROD_081227.html