SUSTAINABLE LANDSCAPES EDUCATION: USING THE WEB TO EXTEND OUTREACH AND IMPROVE IMPACT OF DEMONSTRATION SITES
Extension Education
Richard Mohr
County Agricultural Agent
RUTGERS COOPERATIVE EXTENSION OF OCEAN COUNTY
TOMS RIVER
Abstract
Key to the creation of sustainable communities is the wise use of the time and talent of a community’s stewardship workers. This includes both the sharing of resources and the elimination of needlessly redundant efforts. In 2009, Mohr and Muscio launched the Sustainable Landscapes Education Program, building a network of a dozen demonstration sites throughout Ocean County, New Jersey. By 2010, a website was created to connect and support these sites with information on sustainable landscaping practices for ornamental, lawn, and vegetable garden management. Each year the network’s site managers and extension agents plan and implement improvements in their application of sustainable landscaping practices. Learning and using these practices begins with each site manager, extends to site staff and volunteers, and soon reaches out into the public through workshops and tours. The website provides financial and environmental cost/benefit information on a selection of projects at each demonstration site. Demonstration sites brought to life by skilled interpretive educators can have a great impact, but visitor participation is limited by time and travel distance. Educators, community leaders, and student citizens begin their learning at the site and continue to support each other as their own projects progress. The web provides easy access to a depth of information the network could not afford to make available at every site. It reduces the resources needed by any of the site partners to meet the educational needs of their visitors and neighbors, and extends the impact of a visit far beyond a one-day event.
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.
A poster file has not been provided
Authors: * R.A. Mohr, C. Muscio
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Mohr, *. Agriculture and Resource Management Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, New Jersey, 08755
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Muscio, C. Marine Extension Agent, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, New Jersey, 08755