April 1, 2020
'Caring during COVID': Cooperative Extension coordinates individual conservation efforts through social media campaign
By Ryan McGeeney
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- “Caring during COVID: Water Quality Edition” campaign encourages individual conservation efforts
- Post photos/videos on social media using hashtags #WokeWaterWisdom, #WaterIsGreaterThanGold and #knowtheflow
- April 22 is 50th anniversary of Earth Day
- No cost to participate
(532 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — While social distancing during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic
has had an impact on many volunteer activities, individuals can still make a difference
in their environment and communities.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Cooperative Extension Service is shifting its volunteer-focused efforts to protect and improve waterways within the Illinois River and Beaver watersheds to focus on individual actions shared through a social media campaign.
Sarah Spangler, Washington County water quality agent for Cooperative Extension Service, is spearheading “Caring during COVID: Water Quality Edition,” a social media campaign designed to encourage Arkansans living in those watersheds to engage in actions that help protect waterways in their areas. The watersheds primarily cover Benton, Washington, Carroll and Madison counties.
“I know that right now people are feeling pretty cooped up and are maybe having a hard time staying positive,” Spangler said. “I think this event can provide people with a little bit of encouragement, that even though things are uncertain right now, we can still make a positive impact in our community.”
When participants engage in a conservation activity, from picking up pet waste that might otherwise go into sewer drains, to properly disposing of litter, the campaign encourages them to share images and video through social media using the hashtags #WokeWaterWisdom, #WaterIsGreaterThanGold and #knowtheflow.
April 22 will mark the 50th anniversary of the annual Earth Day celebration. The “Caring During COVID” campaign will span from April 1 through May 25, Memorial Day.
“I want people to remember that we can’t forget to take care of our planet, even as we make sure we are taking care of ourselves,” Spangler said. “By being involved in best management practices each person can have a direct impact on the quality and health of our waterways.”
Some best management practices that Spangler recommends include:
- Installing a rain barrel <https://www.uaex.uada.edu/publications/PDF/fsa-9534.pdf
- Reading fertilizer and herbicide labels to use only what you need on your lawn and garden
- Planting native vegetation for erosion control
- Building a rain garden <https://www.uaex.uada.edu/environment-nature/water/conservation/rain-gardens.aspx >
- Picking up your pet’s waste and throwing it away or flushing it down the toilet
- Conducting a personal litter cleanup (but be sure not to touch food-related items since they could have touched a person’s mouth that has the coronavirus)
- Properly discarding personal trash in a public space
- Properly discarding household hazardous waste at a disposal facility
- Going to a car wash or washing your car on grass/gravel instead of pavement
Beyond the positive feeling associated with putting in effort to make a positive difference for the environment, Spangler is also hoping to incentivize individual action through a series of distinctive buttons, which she helped design and will mail to individuals who share images and descriptions of their efforts on social media.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @AR_Extension.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu