Major Long-Term Objectives:

1. Develop mechanisms by which laypeople can receive guidance on water quality concerns (e.g., pamphlets, books, accessible networks of scientists/conservationists).

2. Help fishermen to develop a more effective "voice" in protecting fish habitats, as Chair of the Habitat & Water Quality Committee on the NC Marine Fisheries Commission.

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Short-Term Objectives:

1. Work with citizens groups and fishermen to increase understanding about impacts of the toxic dinoflagellate, Pfiesteria piscicida, on fisheries and human health.

2. Help citizens (children, adolescents, adults) to understand our state's current policies about surface water quality and aquatic life.

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Accomplishments:

1. Reach at least 2,000 people of all ages each year through presentations; also publish popular articles on conservation and water resource issues.

2. Helped the NC Division of Marine Fisheries prepare educational videos that will be viewed by, potentially, 20,000 people who visit the 1995 NC State Fair; helped the NC Coastal Federation prepare educational television messages, aired in all 20 coastal counties, about water quality issues along our coastlands.

3. Helped the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission present workshops on water quality conservation issues to commercial fishermen.

4. Served as the only scientist, and the only expert on aquatic ecosystems, on the Governor's Coastal Futures Committee. Was heavily involved in writing the water-related sections of the final report.

5. Served as one of five speakers in an international teleconference about the future of land grant universities, and included a strong recommendation that these institutions expand extension programs to include new approaches to environmental education.

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Significance:

The Coastal Futures Committee (1994) identified, as their foremost recommendation, a pressing need for environmental education for the people of North Carolina. My efforts help a little in filling a large void toward increasing public understanding about water pollution issues.

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Future Plans:

1. Help to establish a coalition of scientists who give presentations about water quality issues to citizens groups, professional groups, children, and young adults statewide.

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Published by: North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Publication Number:

Last Electronic Revision: January 1997 (MSD)

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