The cornerstone of the Program's public outreach is the  Watershed Watch Campaign.   The Campaign will disseminate educational messages and materials which encourage a broad segment of the Santa Clara Valley population to change behaviors which harm water quality.  Another goal of the campaign is to increase the understanding and appreciation of streams and the Bay. Work Products relating to the Watershed Watch Campaign include reports, surveys, and plans.

Program Toll-Free Phone Number (800-794-2482) – The Program advertises and maintains a toll-free phone number where callers may obtain information about urban runoff issues.  

PI/P Materials – A variety PI/P materials are distributed through the toll-free number, at workshops and at public events.  Available PI/P materials include fact sheets, brochures and guidelines for best management practices. Most are available upon request.  Some materials are available in Spanish and one brochure, “The Bay Begins at Your Front Door” is available in Vietnamese.  

Storm drain stencils are available (upon request) in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.  In addition, public information videos are available from the Program office.  Topics covered include less-toxic methods of pest control, watershed-friendly auto repair and maintenance, erosion prevention at construction sites, and other subjects related to urban runoff pollution prevention. 

Annual Events/Display Boards – Depending on the public outreach event, the Program sets up display boards having a pesticide use reduction theme or an automotive pollution prevention theme. 

Swimming Pool Outreach – To prevent the draining of swimming pool water and pool filter waste into storm drains, the Program and individual Co-permittees have engaged in outreach to swimming pool owners and swimming pool maintenance contractors.  Two versions of a swimming pool BMP brochure (residential and commercial) have been developed and distributed within the Program area. Both are available upon request. 

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IPM Store Partnership Program –The Program participates in a regional point-of-purchase outreach program by coordinating with up to 36 stores in a given fiscal year. The Program’s goal is to reduce the purchase of pesticides (which impact water quality) by providing education regarding less toxic options.

Creek Connections Action Group - Past and current activities have included supporting creek cleanups twice a year.  Cleanup efforts coincide with Coastal Cleanup Day (Fall) and National Rivers Clean-Up Day (Spring). This past year 22 creek sites were cleaned during Coastal Cleanup Day and 26 creek sites during National Rivers Day.  Approximately 2091 volunteers removed about 22.5 tons of trash and 4 tons of recyclables.

Watershed Action Fund (WAF) – In 1996, the Program started funding school and community programs which convey messages consistent with the Program’s goals.  Since 1996, the Program has disbursed more than $600,000 to school and community education programs.  Successful WAF projects or activities include:  

• Award winning Aquatic Outreach Institute for teacher training in environmental curricula, 

• Watershed education programs in public schools, 

• Field trips to local wetlands for low-income schools with Canoes in Sloughs, 

• Invasive plant removal and native plant re-vegetation in San Francisquito Creek, and

• A weekend and evening interpretive program at the Don Edwards National Wildlife Refuge at Alviso

Regional Coordination - Program staff participated in the development and implementation of the joint media relations effort (fifth year) supported by  Bay Area Stormwater Management Agencies Association (BASMAA) and the Bay Area Clean Water Association (BACWA).  The primary goals of the campaign are to develop long-term relationships with the media; and generate media coverage that encourages individuals to adopt behaviors changes to prevent water pollution.

Mercury Pollution Prevention Outreach Project - The Program conducts mercury pollution prevention outreach which emphasizes the recycling of fluorescent lamps, as identified in the Program's Mercury Pollution Prevention Plan.

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