The Etowah environmental survey as a guide for the Etowah public involvement and education program

In response to the declining status of the Etowah River an interdisciplinary team from federal, state, and local interests is developing the regional Etowah Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP). Public participation is an important component in the Etowah HCP. A first step in the HCP process was to conduct a survey to assess residents knowledge, opinions, and sense of empowerment regarding the Etowah River. Results indicate that residents are concerned about aquatic biodiversity and increased development in the watershed. These results provide baseline data for the Etowah public involvement and education program and the Etowah Education Initiative, a component of the education program. In the Etowah Education Initiative middle schools students, teachers and community members learn about and help address environmental issues in the watershed. As part of the Etowah public involvement and education program, the Etowah Education Initiative works toward increasing public participation, awareness and stewardship in the Etowah watershed.