Environmental Education

The HRPDC continues to coordinate various environmental education initiatives to address identified needs throughout the region. The main initiatives center on the issues of water conservation, stormwater pollution prevention, waste management, litter prevention and beautification. Monthly meetings of the Hampton Roads Water Efficiency Team (HR WET), the Regional Stormwater Management Public Information and Education Subcommittee (HR STORM), and HR CLEAN (the region’s committee on waste management, litter prevention and beautification) allow for regional program coordination, idea exchange, and networking. A few of the other education initiatives include Green Infrastructure and Conservation Corridors, the Southern Watershed Area Management Program (SWAMP), and HR FOG (Fat, Oil, Grease). This report documents the regional strategy in its current state of implementation and expansion as a direct response to the environmental education recommendations of the Physical & Environmental Planning Strategic Planning Committee and individual committees.

THE PROCESS

Representatives of the regional environmental committees participate annually in assisting the HRPDC staff to design its comprehensive work program. The HRPDC work program continues to include environmental education as a high priority activity identified previously through the committees’ strategic planning process. This initiative, designed to further improve the functioning and organization of the regional environmental committee structure, began during FY 2000-2001 and continues. Representatives from the regional environmental committees, including the Hampton Roads Chesapeake Bay Committee, the Regional Stormwater Management Committee, the Directors of Utilities Committee, HR FOG, HR WET, HR STORM, and HR CLEAN were asked to participate in a series of sessions to address the current committee structure and other issues pertaining to information dissemination and project enhancement. This effort is an ongoing process, which encourages participants to share ideas and strategies, both in the formal planning process and throughout the course of normal activities. Recommendations developed to date include continuation of the joint monthly meetings of the regional environmental committees.

In an effort to coordinate a more comprehensive program, the three distinct efforts conducted by HR WET, HR STORM, and HR CLEAN are combined as appropriate to efficiently utilize member expertise and resources. Internally, the three combined efforts are referred to as HR3. The goal continues to be development and enhancement of a comprehensive environmental education strategy and coordination of activities in cooperation with representatives of the region’s sixteen local governments. All three committees have embraced this effort and continue to streamline and combine efforts where practical, while pursing their individual committee goals.

Those goals are achieved through media contracts, which continue to be developed annually using this approach. By doing so, each committee experiences considerable savings. Further collaborative efforts this past year have included continuation of an environmental mini-grant program and joint print advertising in regional publications.

It is anticipated that overall strategic planning efforts for Physical and Environmental Planning, as well as the educational programs, will continue as long as support exists from the member communities that participate in the efforts.

THE REGIONAL ROLE

Committee deliberations and discussions have influenced the evolution of the various regional environmental education initiatives. The regional programs (HR WET, HR STORM, and HR CLEAN) all enhance and support, rather than duplicate local program efforts. Program coordination includes active participation from staff in each of the affected localities, as well as other regional entities, and involves partnerships with federal and state agencies and the private sector, where appropriate.

Various regional agencies already conduct public information and education programs addressing their specific program responsibilities. They include the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (wastewater, wastewater reuse, and related issues) and the Southeastern Virginia (SPSA) and Virginia Peninsulas (VPPSA) Public Service Authorities (solid waste, recycling, hazardous and other special wastes). Regional environmental education efforts managed by the HRPDC are coordinated with these other regional programs as appropriate.

Each of the participating local jurisdictions operates environmental education programs at some level that address water conservation, stormwater pollution prevention, waste management, litter prevention and beautification and other specific topics. Programs coordinated by the HRPDC seek to enhance and bolster these efforts, avoiding duplication and improving program delivery.

Finally, where state and federal agencies and private entities conduct educational programs in support of their programmatic efforts, partnerships have been developed to enhance local and regional efforts. Regional programs have adapted materials developed through such groups to the special interests and needs of the Hampton Roads region. The HRPDC works with those same agencies and groups to ensure that educational and training opportunities are available to the local governments and citizens of Hampton Roads. These groups and committees are continually working together to develop the most comprehensive and regionally consistent messages.

©1999-2008 Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
Read our Privacy Policy
Site maintained by WHRO - Public Telecommunications for Hampton Roads
For site problems, contact the webmaster.