City of Westlake P ublic I nvolvement & P ublic E ducation
Program
Slide 2
Westlake Watershed Group Citizens advisory committee for Phase
II regulations Formed in Summer 04 11 initial members Group meets
quarterly on Friday mornings before work
Slide 3
Founding of W.W.G. Solicited for members in Mayors Newsletter,
city website, City Council Meetings and direct mailings to
properties abutting creeks throughout city. Meetings overseen by
Director of Engineering and Storm Water Discharge Coordinator.
Members were all Westlake residents, business owners or city
employees. Originally seen as a sounding board for Phase II
policies.
Slide 4
W.W.G. Members 32 people in WWG Constant growth Who we are
Residents City employees Engineers Biologists / Scientists Business
owners & employees Educators City Council members
Slide 5
Why use citizen based group? Local control = local interests
Great sounding board for project ideas Broadens lists of contacts
New ideas / resources Local history, experience Expertise in
multiple fields Macroinvertabrate biology, organic lawn care, pond
maintenance, organic gardening, chemistry, education, engineering,
construction,
Slide 6
GO GREEN Westlake In 2007 the WWG blanketed our PIPE efforts
under our Go Green program. Program designed to recognize efforts
of citizens & businesses using Eco-friendly practices. Yard
signs & stickers displayed in front yards, at schools & on
doors of vehicles and businesses to generate interest in program.
Going Green for use of Rain Barrels, Rain Gardens, organic
fertilizer use, water quality BMPs, etc.
Slide 7
Effectiveness of GOing GREEN Low cost to city production of
signs High recognition of logo Provides information for contact
website address Generates a lot of neighborhood marketing Neighbors
talking to neighbors about Going Green
Slide 8
Educational Media City website links to videos, pamphlets,
outside resources upcoming events, workshops
Slide 9
Educational Media Mayors Newsletter Quarterly mailing to all
residences & businesses Effective, highly read publication
Provides notification of upcoming events, messages &
opportunities to join WWG
Slide 10
Educational Media Community Television Channel Broadcasts of
self-produced videos Crocker Rd. Water Quality Basin Rain Barrel
Workshop
Slide 11
Educational Media / Public Involvement School Programs Name the
Stream & Coloring Contests Kids essay contest to name a stream
thru city park Coloring contest showing importance of pollution
prevention Winning entries made into banners and displayed in park
Retention Basin Design Program High School Environmental Science
Class designing a retrofit of existing basin to a water quality
basin School Rain Garden and Rain Barrels New high school and
middle school incorporating water quality BMPs in their design to
be used / maintained by environmental clubs in each building
Slide 12
Educational Media Posters Broad-based messages to change
resident behavior. Fertilizer use -2011, Car Washing -2009.
Self-produced or modified from other organizations. Distributed to
public buildings, schools, churches or businesses where target
market was.
Slide 13
Educational Media / Public Involvement Rain Garden Workshop
Spring 2008 Rain garden created at Recreation Center (high
visibility) Signs explaining benefits / uses of rain garden &
available resources / contacts for building your own Available
fliers, books on building gardens Rain Barrel Workshop Spring 2011
Rain Barrel installation / benefits explained at workshop Workshop
videotaped and put online for reference Rain Barrels &
diverters used were available for discounted purchase by
attendees
Slide 14
P.I.P.E. Program How & why? Marketing research done in 2008
on effectiveness of public media outlets for Westlake Feedback from
WWG members Feedback from citizens & businesses Phone calls for
city services Attendance & comments at workshops Highly
cost-effective & easy for residents to use
Slide 15
Where were GOing GREEN The future of the Westlake PIPE program
Continue with regular meetings of W.W.G. Always look to add new
members & new ideas. Continue with annual workshops Rain &
Garden Show Produce related annual educational messages to be tied
in with appropriate community involvement activities Stay flexible
and look to change in most effective way to get out the message or
involve another community group.
Slide 16
Why Were Proud of our PIPE Local control & involvement Low
cost to the city annual budget of $ 1000. 00 Effective messages and
workshops.