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City of Westlake

City of Westlake. P ublic I nvolvement & P ublic E ducation Program. Westlake Watershed Group. Citizen’s advisory committee for Phase II regulations Formed in Summer ‘04 11 initial members Group meets quarterly on Friday mornings before work. Founding of W.W.G.

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City of Westlake

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  1. City of Westlake Public Involvement & Public Education Program

  2. Westlake Watershed Group • Citizen’s advisory committee for Phase II regulations • Formed in Summer ‘04 • 11 initial members • Group meets quarterly on Friday mornings before work

  3. Founding of W.W.G. • Solicited for members in Mayor’s Newsletter, city website, City Council Meetings and direct mailings to properties abutting creeks throughout city. • Meetings overseen by Director of Engineering and Storm Water Discharge Coordinator. • Members were all Westlake residents, business owners or city employees. • Originally seen as a “sounding board” for Phase II policies.

  4. W.W.G. Members • 32 people in WWG • Constant growth • Who we are… • Residents • City employees • Engineers • Biologists / Scientists • Business owners & employees • Educators • City Council members

  5. Why use citizen based group? • Local control = local interests • Great sounding board for project ideas • Broadens lists of contacts • New ideas / resources • Local history, experience • Expertise in multiple fields • Macroinvertabrate biology, organic lawn care, pond maintenance, organic gardening, chemistry, education, engineering, construction, …

  6. GO GREEN Westlake • In 2007 the WWG blanketed our PIPE efforts under our “Go Green” program. • Program designed to recognize efforts of citizens & businesses using Eco-friendly practices. • Yard signs & stickers displayed in front yards, at schools & on doors of vehicles and businesses to generate interest in program. • Going Green for use of Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, organic fertilizer use, water quality BMPs, etc.

  7. Effectiveness of GOing GREEN • Low cost to city – production of signs • High recognition of logo • Provides information for contact – website address • Generates a lot of “neighborhood marketing” Neighbors talking to neighbors about Going Green

  8. Educational Media • City website • links to videos, pamphlets, outside resources • upcoming events, workshops

  9. Educational Media Mayor’s Newsletter • Quarterly mailing to all residences & businesses • Effective, highly read publication • Provides notification of upcoming events, messages & opportunities to join WWG

  10. Educational Media Community Television Channel • Broadcasts of self-produced videos • Crocker Rd. Water Quality Basin • Rain Barrel Workshop

  11. Educational Media / Public Involvement School Programs • Name the Stream & Coloring Contests • Kids essay contest to name a stream thru city park • Coloring contest showing importance of pollution prevention • Winning entries made into banners and displayed in park • Retention Basin Design Program • High School Environmental Science Class designing a retrofit of existing basin to a water quality basin • School Rain Garden and Rain Barrels • New high school and middle school incorporating water quality BMPs in their design – to be used / maintained by environmental clubs in each building

  12. Educational Media Posters • Broad-based messages to change resident behavior. • Fertilizer use -2011, Car Washing -2009. • Self-produced or modified from other organizations. • Distributed to public buildings, schools, churches or businesses where target market was.

  13. Educational Media / Public Involvement • Rain Garden Workshop • Spring 2008 • Rain garden created at Recreation Center (high visibility) • Signs explaining benefits / uses of rain garden & available resources / contacts for building your own • Available fliers, books on building gardens • Rain Barrel Workshop • Spring 2011 • Rain Barrel installation / benefits explained at workshop • Workshop videotaped and put online for reference • Rain Barrels & diverters used were available for discounted purchase by attendees

  14. P.I.P.E. Program How & why? • Marketing research done in 2008 on effectiveness of public media outlets for Westlake • Feedback from WWG members • Feedback from citizens & businesses • Phone calls for city services • Attendance & comments at workshops • Highly cost-effective & easy for residents to use

  15. Where we’re GOing GREEN • The future of the Westlake PIPE program • Continue with regular meetings of W.W.G. Always look to add new members & new ideas. • Continue with annual workshops – Rain & Garden Show • Produce related annual educational messages to be tied in with appropriate community involvement activities • Stay flexible and look to change in most effective way to get out the message or involve another community group.

  16. Why We’re Proud of our PIPE • Local control & involvement • Low cost to the city – annual budget of $ 1000.00 • Effective messages and workshops.

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