BEAVER LAKE SHORELINE RESIDENTS BECOME LAKESMART
Extension Education
Katie Teague
CEA-STAFF CHAIR
Univ of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service
FAYETTEVILLE
Abstract
\r\n Beaver Lake serves as the drinking water supply for more than 350,000 Northwest Arkansas residents and garners $34 million from recreation and tourism activities. To protect the quality of this important regional water resource, the LakeSmart program engages shoreline residents in reducing their contribution of nutrients, sediment, bacteria, and other pollutants to the lake. A series of LakeSmart workshops have been conducted for cove neighbors to discuss the role of their property management in protecting the lake. Trained volunteer leaders facilitate these discussions through a series of short educational videos and interactive quizzes. The accompanying LakeSmart environmental self-assessment notebook serves as a personal resource guide that begins with a 22-question checklist to help participants identify their potential pollution risks. Their confidential responses then guide them to topical chapters with more detailed assessments and descriptions of Best Management Practices that will help them minimize their water quality impacts. The LakeSmart program emphasizes the importance of Beaver Lake as a water resource, lake home site assessment, proper landscape and runoff management, water well management and home water conservation, septic system maintenance, the use and disposal of household hazardous products, and boat and dock maintenance. To date, 11 LakeSmart Leaders have been trained and 9 workshops have been conducted for 83 participants. Follow-up evaluations have documented measurable changes in knowledge, attitudes and behavior. As the program continues, plans are underway to expand the guide to address watershed-wide residents’ home management decisions and actions.
\r\n
Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC
This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.
Click to view Poster
Authors: K.A. Teague, J.M. Maginot
-
Teague, K. Extension Agent, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 72704
-
Maginot, J. Program Associate, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, Arkansas, 72704