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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Conservationist (El Conservationist) will serve as a bilingual newspaper that is to be distributed to 3,000 people in our area. This newspaper is an 8-page tabloid size paper that will reach beyond Barry County. Residents in Lawrence, McDonald and Newton County will be receiving this newspaper as well. This area includes several watersheds/bodies of water that are on the 303(d) list that include, but are not limited to Shoal Creek, Elk River, Table Rock Lake and Crane Creek.
The newspaper will include a bilingual story on the front page as well as the masthead. In addition, the middle page spread (pgs. 4 and 5) will be devoted to water quality stories in both Spanish and English. Other aspects of the paper that will be bilingual will be the Kids Korner page and the non-discriminatory statement. The newspaper will focus on both soil and water quality issues as well as non-point pollution problems, and solutions to these problems. The principle that everyone lives in a watershed and is responsible for water quality is what our story topics will be based upon. Everyone has a role to play in solving water pollution problems, in particular non-point pollution problems. The intent is to reach a new segment of Barry County's population by offering a large portion of the paper in both English and Spanish. Whether it is fencing cattle out of stream banks or preventing water pollution at home, information education through newspaper stories make a difference.
OBJECTIVES
1. Involve Hispanic population in our programs and educate this segment of population on nonpoint pollution issues - this would include cost-share assistance, technical assistance, request for water quality/soil quality printed information. This can be done through individuals as well as interested civic groups. Goal: Involve 25 people.
2. Gain interest of Hispanic students in 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders in all Barry County schools. With both the Kids Korner page and the middle page spread printed in both Spanish and English, we can gain students' attention. Goal: Of the targeted grades (2nd, 3rd, 4th) - reach 25 percent (185 students) that are of Hispanic origin.
Involve multiple agencies (MDNR, NRCS, MDC, SWCD, Barry County Health Department's Environmental Division - printed materials) in order to provide well-rounded information concerning water quality.
METHODS EMPLOYED
3,000 papers will be distributed. While the majority of people receiving the paper are in Barry County, we are also gaining subscribers in McDonald, Newton and Lawrence Counties. If the need occurs, the number of papers being published will be increased at the district's expense.
A substantial portion of the paper's distribution is to students in Barry County schools. Approximately 25 percent of the school population is Hispanic. By distributing to students, we have twice the effectiveness - both students and their parents or guardians. Parents routinely go through school bags and look through information distributed at school. If parents understand how they are making a difference in water quality and other environmental factors, they will teach their children. If children are reading first-hand, they will in turn influence parents' behaviors. It is a win-win situation to distribute through schools. This is particularly important when looking at the Hispanic segment of school population - many of these students' parents have difficulty conversing in English. The Spanish printed pages will allow us to reach a larger portion of our total population. With the current newspaper, a majority of our teachers read the paper as well as point out stories to the students - with our close relationship with school personnel, we do know that this will continue and add to the effectiveness of the newspaper. Due to budget restraints as result of completed SALT project, our current newspaper (which is all-English with exception of Kids Korner) will not be funded as before. Therefore, we will not be able to print it as we have in the past. People who need this paper the most will not receive it unless we receive additional funding. With the addition of a bilingual aspect, we can do a better job than we have been able to before.
PRODUCTS
Each issue of newspaper - four total per year - is direct tangible result of this mini-grant project. 3,000 papers will be distributed to points around county including agri-businesses, restaurants, local gathering spots for residents, and county schools. This is in addition to bulk mailing that includes both local residents as well as absentee landowners.
Story topics will include, but are not limited to Reducing runoff/clean runoff; Around the House series; Lawn and Garden Series; Prevention-where to go for help; Enviroscape available to educate community; Local water quality projects-how can they help you?; Water testing facilities; Nutrient management factors affecting water quality; Current news; Fence off streams; Well construction; Avoid groundwater contamination series for the farm.
PROJECT SPONSOR
Barry County Soil and Water Conservation District
COOPERATING AGENCIES
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Dan Philbrick, District Conservationist, 417-847-4309, Ext. 3
Missouri Department of Conservation, Mike Petersen, Private Lands Specialist, 417-847-5949
CONTACT
Amanda Marney
Barry County Soil and Water Conservation District
74 S. Main
Cassville, MO 65625
417-847-4309, Ext. 109
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