Art Gold

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The National Integrated Water Quality Program A
Regionally-based, National network delivered at
the Local level

• Art Gold
• Professor, University of Rhode Island
• Regional Water Quality Coordinator New England
• Co-Chair, Committee for Shared Leadership (NIWQP)
• www.usawaterquality.org

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Program Goals

• Protect and restore water quality in rural and
  urbanizing lands through the application of
  science and information to local communities, the
  public and land managers.
• Link local, state and regional projects and
  their network of research, extension and
  education professionals into a coherent national
  network.
• Facilitate information and resource exchange
  regionally and nationally. Share excellence.
• Develop and strengthen important partnerships.

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National Integrated Water Quality Program
NRI and NIWQP Integrated Research
Federal Partners NRCS EPA USGS
Industry
Sea Grant
Manufacturing Operations
Landowner and Local Community Actions
Air Quality Municipal Wastewater Operation
Improvements
CLEAN WATER
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www.usawaterquality.org
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Accountability is built into the Structure of the
NIWQP at the National and Regional Levels

• National Committee for Shared Leadership
• Defines Common Themes for the nation
• National Mtg Shares Excellent Programs
• Developed/Encourages Logic Model/Outcome Planning
  and Reporting
• Shares partnering opportunities between regions
• Gaps Identified

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Accountability Through Regional Leadership

• Regional Teams Assembled
• Regional strengths and challenges are fused to
  national themes
• Integrate Research, Extension and Education
• Logic Model planning and accountability
• Annual Funding allocated based on plans
• and outputs
• Partners connected to teams for leveraging
• Gaps identified

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Locally-Delivered Programs

• Thematic programs tailored, tested and refined to
  address cultural, political, physical, agronomic
  aspects of local area.
• Water Quality Needs Identified
• Stakeholder Profiles Identified
• Local partnerships developed
• Gaps identified

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Locally-Based Thematic Activities Highlighted On
National Website
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Accountability Example. National Theme
Pollution PreventionRegional Focus Area
Sustainable Landscapes
Project Goals/Objectives Identify and Share
the best science Identify and Share the
best extension practices Leverage and
Partner
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National Theme Pollution PreventionRegional
Focus Area Sustainable Landscapes

• Locally-Based Extension URI Healthy Landscapes
  Program
• Project Goal/Objectives
• Increase the stakeholder knowledge and adoption
  of BMPs
• Strengthen the New England
• Water Quality Program
• Activities and Outputs
• Local demonstration sites
• Training programs and
• supporting materials
• Evaluation program

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National Theme Pollution PreventionRegional
Focus Area Sustainable LandscapesLocally-Based
Extension URI Healthy Landscapes Program

• Outcomes
• Increased local and regional partnerships.
• BMP adoption
• Citizen Scientists engaged in
  demonstration/research
• Strengthen Regional Capacity
• Research Gaps Identified
• Lack of Consistent Fertilizer Recommendations
• Need for low-input, aesthetic turf varieties

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Regional Activities Sustainable Landscapes
Focus Area

• Activities and Outputs
• In-Service Training
• Demonstration/Research Tours
• Social Marketing
• Additional Research on effectiveness and adoption
  of BMPs
• Multi-State Revisions of Fertilizer
  Recommendations
• Multi-State Curricula Revisions for Turf Science
  Classes
• Multi-State Conferences (2006 Master Gardener
  Regional Conference)

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Regional Activities Sustainable Landscapes
Focus Area

• Outcomes
• Development of teaching/demonstration/research
  landscapes
• New Partnerships
• Improved educational curriculum materials and
  delivery methods
• Increased use of assessment tools
• BMP Adoption by targeted audiences.
• Long-term outcomes Reduced risk of water quality
  impairment

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Accountability Take Home Message

• Extension Leadership Is The Key For
• Integrating Research, Extension and Teaching Into
  Coherent Programs
• Articulating Outcomes That Resonate With
  Stakeholders and Decision Makers
• Focusing And Directing Activities That Make
  Genuine Differences At The Local Level
• Identifying Research and Extension Challenges
• Partnering and Leveraging