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Indicator 6. Ecosystem Knowledge and Appreciation of the Environment |
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measure |
sources |
method |
| 6.A. Inter-governmental collaborations for environmental ends. Maintaining and increasing ecosystem health requires many different partners. No single agency or organization can do it without collaborating with others. |
Newspapers, local governments, state and federal agencies |
Count number of intergovernmental collaborations during year |
| 6.B. Local newspaper coverage of local environmental issues. The more information appears on the environment, the more opportunity for citizens to inform themselves. |
Local newspapers during a year | Number of inches on environment in local newspaper per year |
| 6.C. Number of farm stewardship groups in the area. Farm stewardship groups share with each other ways to increase ecosystem health, long-term profitability and quality of life. Generally they have from four to 10 households participating. |
County Extension agent, organization/agency personnel | Count the number of farm stewardship groups on a given date each year |
| 6.D. Number of pounds of trash recycled. A healthy ecosystem in our consumptive society depends on maximizing recyclables and minimizing waste disposal in land fills. Community-based recycling shows awareness of its impact on the environment and decreases negative impacts. |
Environmental advocacy group; recycling organization; waste disposal organization/ agency |
Collect information from source by telephone request, in person or in writing |
| 6.E. Number and percent of local businesses that recycle. Shows interest on the part of the business community in environmental issues. |
Environmental advocacy group; recycling organization; waste disposal organization; Chamber of Commerce; business organization | Collect information from source by telephone request, in person or in writing |
| 6.F. Number of community associations interested in environmental issues (e.g. Trees Forever,
Ducks Unlimited, Sierra Club). Shows community interest in environment/natural resources at organization level. |
County organization guide from Extension or EPA office; phone book; U.S. Forest Service |
Call and ask for information, look in telephone book and call organizations, interviews |
| 6.G. Attendance at environmental events during the year. Shows community interest in environment. |
Environmental organizations; EPA; schools; U.S. Forest Service; county extension/USDA; NRCS | |
| 6.H. Number of environmental awareness events sponsored by local groups (bird count, tree
plantings). Shows level of initiative on the part of local environmental leadership and reflects community support of these efforts. |
Environmental organizations; municipal organizations; EPA; schools; U.S. Forest Service; county extension/USDA; NRCS | Interview organizations, search local paper |
| 6.I. Number of times that federal and state authorities reference local environmental and/or
natural-resource management plans as part of their decision-making process. To the extent that federal and/or state actions are tied to local goals for ecosystem health, many interests can be served by the same action. |
Meeting minutes and funding proposals of local government and public committees | Documentation review |
| 6.J. Number of government, business and non-profit organizations that have written policies
requiring decision-makers to consider the long-term and indirect effect of important decisions on the community
economy and environment. These policies show local commitment to ecosystem health. Written policies denote the first step toward an operational mentality which guides an organization's efforts. |
Newspapers; meeting minutes and written policy statements of local government, business and community groups | Documentation reviews, content analysis |
| 6.K. Number of memoranda of understanding among local and/or local and non-local groups
regarding natural resource management. Collaboration is crucial for ecosystem health. Cooperative efforts among diverse community groups facilitate progress toward shared goals. |
Newspapers, meeting minutes, and written policy statements of local government, business and community groups; key officers of these groups | Documentation review, content analysis, interview |
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