Logic Model Overview:

Jeff Schloss Individual Plan of Work

Situation:

WATER QUALITY

The fresh and coastal waters of New Hampshire represent a valuable water resource contributing to the state's economic base through recreation, tourism, and real estate revenues. In addition some lakes and rivers serve as current or potential water supplies. For most residents (as indicated by boating and fishing registrations) our waters help to insure a high quality of life. However, New Hampshire currently leads all of the New England states in the rate of new development and redevelopment. The long-term consequences of the resulting pressure and demands on the state's precious water resources remain unknown. Of particular concern is the response of our waters to increasing non-point source pollutant loading due to watershed development and land use activities. Local citizens, lake/watershed associations and local decision-makers remain in dire need of additional information required for the intelligent management of our water resources. Limited financial resources do not allow for adequate monitoring of these waters by state or federal agencies, and the increased development and recreational use require a more accurate assessment of the water quality of our estuaries, lakes, ponds, rivers and streams.

Many volunteer water quality monitoring programs in NH and in New England have mastered basic sampling techniques and are now at the stage where they require assistance to go the next step. With data being collected they require guidance in how to manage it, analyze it and use it to tell a story of local importance. In addition they are requesting guidance on how to expand their monitoring to tackle non-point source pollution at the origins and how to better integrate their programs to address community concerns in the context of a watershed approach. There is a growing recognition that it's not just the water - it's the watershed - which must be understood in order to solve non-point pollution problems.
Additional emerging issues for NH lakes and ponds involve the increasing incidences of aquatic nuisance species threatening human health, as well as the ecological integrity and designated uses of surface water resources. These include the increase in the occurrence (or at least the confirmation) of freshwater harmful algae blooms from cyanobacteria as well as the encroachment of non-native aquatic plant species such as variable milfoil. The environmental conditions that foster these blooms are not well understood and monitoring programs to address these occurrences are only in developmental stages. Potential management control options are in dire need of an integrated pest management approach not commonly undertaken for water resources management.

Stakeholder Input

NHLA survey of individual and lake association member concerns and information needs (2005); Focus group discussions and written survey responses from NH LLMP participants at annual NH LLMP meeting (2005), data and information requests from NH DES and state legislative committees

National volunteer monitoring (VM) list-serve polling, results of VM coordinators focus group session at the 2004 National Water Quality Monitoring Conference, New England Shared Waters Conference (2005) working sessions, requests to the USDA VM National Facilitation Project (CSREES 406 Water Quality)

NH Coastal Communities Advisory Group, NHEP Land Use Team, NH LLMP volunteers, NROC cooperator retreats; Regional - USDA CSREES 406 program grant review panel, NHLA, watershed associations, conservation commissions, state environmental agencies, conservation districts

Assumptions

Volunteer monitoring provides cost-effective data that is acceptable for guiding local growth and natural resources management decisions as well as providing information for statewide water quality assessments. Participation in the NH LLMP and GBCW empowers participants to become more active in their community serving as an advocate for water resources protection
Extension volunteer monitoring efforts in the New England region are model programs with high program transferability potential at a national and regional scale

External Factors

Funding sources, program support

Increased competition for competent and qualified volunteers among agencies exists

Evaluation Overview

From Sea Grant & Water Resources:

• Evaluation data will be generated through self reporting, observation, mail surveys, one-on-one contact and securing information from the NEC on funds provided to commercial fishermen
• Surveys of workshop attendees will be done to determine what decisions they make relative to developing a new business
• New industry members will be surveyed to determine sources of start-up capital and harvesting information
• Results of permit applications will be tracked through NH Fish and Game
The Land and Water Conservation programs will be evaluated using various methods:

• Short term individual program & event evaluations (at the time of the programs)
• Long term (follow-up) evaluations on programs
• Observation of client behavior by staff
Periodic staff evaluation of programs as part of ongoing program planning
Evaluation techniques will include:

• post-session questionnaires
• on-line surveys
• progress notes gathered at community based meetings
• observations
• interviews with key contacts 12-18 month after program start

• Programs will undergo periodic evaluation based upon participant surveys, observation, and stakeholder review - student assessments and adult surveys will be analyzed to determine if program methods are effective
• Participation at GOMMEA, NMEA, and SGEN events will be monitored and participants will be surveyed to determine if the outcomes of the objective are being achieved
• The Web site will be monitored for use, and users will be surveyed to determine the usefulness of the site - surveys will be used to determine the impact of the use of the site on user marine literacy, or use in supporting teaching and learning
• Student pre- and post- program assessments will be used to determine if an increase in performance has occurred

• Collect impact indicator information and program outputs through post-training session, workshop and meeting questionnaires immediately following events and through mailed, phone and on-line surveys for longer term outcomes. Target audience for assessments: LLMP participants, their associations, and local decision-makers
• For any workshops that we conduct we will use questionnaires, training exercises and observers along with a contact follow-up in 3 to 6 month intervals. NERMC, VMNFP and the New England Regional Water Quality Program have ongoing evaluation efforts to which we will supply data and review as requested
• The NROC program has an ongoing long-term evaluation protocol recently modified as the result of a NEMO Network Program Enhancement Grant (CT Sea Grant). The protocols include collecting information about community progress through pre-program group interviews, post-session questionnaires, observation and reporting from follow up groups and 12-18 month interviews with key contacts. For additional statewide and regional efforts the plan will include the use of pre and post meeting assessments, questionnaires, estimates staff time saved (vs. "re-inventing the wheel") and documentation of efficiencies

 

   Outputs

      Attend Staff Meetings    (Show details)

      Planning and Reporting    (Show details)

      EEC Work    (Show details)

      Miscellaneous administrative work    (Show details)

      Engagement with campus - through joint projects, student internships, special class presentations, etc.    (Show details)

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      Preparing and Teaching courses    (Show details)

      Department or college administrative functions    (Show details)

      Research reports and publications    (Show details)

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      Professional development    (Show details)

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      COMMUNITY NATURAL RESOURCE BASED STEWARDSHIP 1. Promote and deliver The Dollars and Sense of Saving Special Places a. Train additional presenters if needed. b. Market the program to NH communities and conservation groups c. Present the program to communities and conservation groups d. Provide follow up assistance as requested e. Revise the program as needed.

 

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COMMUNITY NATURAL RESOURCE BASED STEWARDSHIP 2.  Provide focused training and long-term assistance to communities on natural resource planning and land conservation.

a. Provide direct assistance to towns and conservation groups upon request. b. Conduct land conservation and natural resources workshops and other educational activities as suggested by program staff and as requested by communities and conservation groups. c.Provide guidance to UNH Senior Project Teams assisting communities with natural resource conservation projects.  d. Plan and conduct the Saving Special Places Conference. e. Conduct the Natural Resources Outreach Coalition program for communities selected annually. f. Produce printed, presentation, web and other educational materials.

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      RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 1. Encourage economically and environmentally appropriate use of pesticides and fertilizers by producers, fertilizer dealers, consultants and landscapers. a. Develop and distribute informational materials regarding the soil testing system and recommendations.(Fertilizer dealers seminars, Garden center seminar, newsletters & news releases and website). b. Educate producers to base fertilizer applications based on soil test results (grower meetings and field days, personal contacts by phone, field visits, etc., newsletters and written information) c. educate corn growers to use the pre-sidedress nitrate test to determine needs for their crop and d. educate producers and landscapers about pest management based on IPM principles and techniques (grower meetings and field days, personal contact and newsletters and written information)    (Show details)

      RESOURCE MANAGEMENT - Encourage homeowners to reduce phosphorus application to lawns and gardens. a. Market pre-paid soil test kits to homeowners through garden centers and Extension offices. b. Implement soil testing for homes and grounds, with revised (low-P) recommendations and c. Persuade garden centers and retailers to carry appropriate products.    (Show details)

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      Provide towns and conservation groups with direct assistance regarding land and water conservation    (Show details)

      Land and Water Conservation:Provide guidance to UNH Senior Project Teams in assisting communities with natural resource conservation projects    (Show details)

      Water Quality

Hold water quality monitoring training sessions for new and existing volunteers

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      Water Quality

Make field visits for in-depth monitoring and quality assurance

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      Water Quality

Publish annual lake reports and coastal reports on water quality assessments from volunteer monitoring efforts

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      Water Quality

Conduct workshop trainings at regional and national conferences

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      Water Quality

Provide Natural Resource Outreach Coalition (NROC) communities with water resource/water quality related technical assistance

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      Water Quality

Train new volunteers who participate in seasonal sampling as part of the Great Bay Coastal Watch (GBCW) or Lakes Lay Monitoring Program (LLMP) in proper water quality sampling methods

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      Water Quality

NH LLMP and GBCW volunteers contribute hours toward conducting water quality monitoring and analysis activities in their local watersheds

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Water Quality

Develop protocols and training materials to allow volunteer monitoring groups to focus on watershed assessment

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      Grants - Development & Administration    (Show details)

      

Coastal Ecosystems 

Provide information to communities and development professionals to encourage the use of more innovative stormwater management.

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