MANASOTA & PEACE RIVER BBDs Meeting Notebook 10-21-09.docx

P268
Public Education
Project Type Basin Initiatives
AOR(s)
Water Supply, Flood Protection, Water Quality, Natural Systems
Basin(s) Alafia River, Hillsborough River, Coastal Rivers, Pinellas-Anclote River, Withlacoochee River,
Peace River, Manasota
Cooperator(s)
Project Manager PUTNAM, BETH
Task Manager(s)
Status Ongoing
STERNBERGER, VIRGINIA, MORGAN, DORIAN, DURELL, SYLVIA, ROE, MELISSA
Description
This Basin Initiative provides funding for a variety of projects designed to inform and educate the public about the
importance of managing and protecting the water resources. All programs align directly with one or more of the
District's areas of responsibilities, with the District's Strategic Plan and with basin priorities. The District's broad range
of public education programs and materials reflect the variety of backgrounds and interests of the District's residents
and visitors. Some of the projects are implemented Districtwide with support from all the Basin Boards, while some are
basin-specific and supported only by the Basin Board(s) that will benefit from the project(s). Districtwide programs
include media messaging, educational material development, surveys and other research/evaluation measures,
Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM education, and translation services for Spanish materials. Basin-specific programs
reflect differing priorities as well as unique opportunities. Examples are Community Education Grants, watershed
education programs, homeowners association outreach, the Pilot Irrigation Program, exhibits and signage, special
events and partnerships with local environmental education centers, nonprofits and others.
Benefits
The programs listed benefit the District through an increase in awareness and understanding of water management
and water resource issues, as well as an increase in behaviors that conserve and protect the District's water resources
and watersheds.
Costs
Funding for public education is budgeted within the basins for FY2010 as follows: Alafia River -- $59,493; Hillsborough
River -- $228,648; Coastal Rivers -- $67,517; Pinellas-Anclote River -- $257,106; Withlacoochee River -- $87,079;
Peace River -- $154,423; Manasota -- $102,715. In addition, the Governing Board contributes $525,000 to media
messaging and $280,275 to support other public education efforts for a total of $1,762,256. Funds support a variety of
education and outreach efforts Districtwide. FY2010 funding for media messaging totals $902,010. The cost/benefit of
those reached via media messaging is measured in impressions and is projected to cost the District less than six
hundredths of a cent per impression. Based on the total number of people reached through the public education
materials and programs in FY2008 (2,099,000+), the cost/benefit ratio for the remaining $820,245 budgeted for public
education in FY2010 is projected to be approximately $0.40 per person. Budget lines below include costs for staff to
manage the projects.
Additional Information
Funding for public education was budgeted within the basins for FY2009 as follows: Alafia River - $59,733;
Hillsborough River - $162,074; Northwest Hillsborough - $68,164; Coastal Rivers - $67,533; Pinellas-Anclote River -
$283,842; Withlacoochee River - $92,502; Peace River - $158,800; Manasota - $102,715. In addition to this total of
$995,363, the Governing Board contributed $525,000 to media messaging and $318,600 to support other public
education efforts. Funds support a variety of educational and outreach efforts Districtwide. Budget lines below include
costs for staff to manage the projects. Based on the total number of people reached through the public education
materials and programs in FY2008 (2,099,000+), the cost for FY2009 is projected to be approximately $0.63 per
person. This cost/benefit ratio does not include those reached via media messaging, which is measured in
impressions, and is projected to cost the District less than six hundredths of a cent per impression.
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