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Show Chapter 5 Recommendations • Recommendation: Salt Lake City will develop a K- 12 watershed education program to present to students around the valley. Implementation: Solidify a partnership with the State Division of Water Resources and non- governmental water education organizations to develop a comprehensive watershed education program by September 1, 2000. Explanation: A watershed education program will be developed that is presented at schools around the Salt Lake Valley. This program may be presented on a class- by- class basis or as a school- wide assembly. The youth of the Salt Lake Valley need to be educated regarding how they positively and negatively impact the health of the Salt Lake City Watershed. • Recommendation: The number of front- country and back- country contacts between interpretive specialists and watershed users should be increased. Implementation: Begin to increase the presence of interpretive specialists by June 1, 2000. Explanation: Currently there are few interpretive specialists in the Wasatch Canyons due to funding constraints. In order to effectively educate users regarding watershed concerns, more personnel are needed. If trained properly, these rangers are far more effective in conveying information than signs or interpretive displays. These specialists should also be trained to monitor and report on watershed violations or abuses. An increase in Forest Service funding is necessary to strengthen the interpretive specialist presence in the watershed. Without an increase in federal funding, the Forest Service must rely heavily on new partnerships to support interpretive personnel. Partnerships should be explored with schools/ universities, church groups, businesses, and civic organizations. • Recommendation: Develop a watershed education fact book/ brochure that can be distributed to the public and K- 12 teachers in the valley. Page 58 |