|
Click on photo to view larger image
.jpg)
.jpg)
|
While companies have the benefit of marketing and advertising budgets to deliver their message to the masses or target users, state agencies are faced with the challenge of limited resources and dispersing a truthful, profound message to educate the public.
Outreach is defined as an effort by an organization or group to connect its ideas or practices to other organizations, groups, specific audiences or the general public.
MDE’s outreach programs are a key element in our mission statement – “Quality environmental education to benefit public health, the environment and future generations.” Unlike marketing, outreach does not inherently revolve around a product or strategies to increase market share.
The department's outreach effort keeps our stakeholders and the public informed through energetic on-site visits and visuals about the goings on in MDE's pursuit to protect and restore the environment. “From a booth at the state fair to demonstrating recycling options in schools, this was a whirlwind year of events,” said Don Mauldin, MDE Outreach Coordinator. “I believe in what we do here and mostly, enjoy the job. MDE has tried to keep information interesting to leave an impression on the public and mold opinions of generations to come.”
Annual Events
Annual promotional events like Bike to Work Day, Car Care Clinics, Ozone Action Days, World Wide Water Monitoring Day, Clean Commute Month and LEAD week/month kickoffs. This was topped off with numerous schools visits by expert staff from our waste, water, air, human relations and technical administrations.
Grime Crime
Kendl P. Philbrick, MDE’s secretary, visited 4 schools around the state with Attorney General Joseph Curran and participated in a program called Grime Crime. Our Emergency Response Team set up a pretend crime scene of illegal dumping at the schools and the students analyzed it and took questions and answers from the Secretary and Attorney General. Secretary Philbrick also participated in the World Wide Water Monitoring Day program and a fish release at Harford County with students from around the state.
Through contact with other outreach coordinators, MDE participated in several plantings and clean-ups throughout the state. MDE gave away 500 seedlings in the lobby and organized a surface water model demonstration with the Governor and students in Annapolis on Earth Day.
Last year, MDE was represented at five conventions, the Maryland Home & Garden Show, two conferences, three festivals, three fairs (including the eleven-day Maryland State Fair), Department of Agriculture’s Open House and MDE’s Annual Meeting. MDE provided signage, podiums and support in over a dozen events with Governor Ehrlich and Lt. Governor Steele, such as groundbreakings, agreement signings, Chesapeake Bay announcements as well as school and industrial visit.
Piloting the Regional Planning Workshops
MDE along with MDP (Maryland Department of Planning) held four workshops at Community Colleges throughout the state in the fall to help local officials, environmentalists and concerned citizens to better cope with growth and environmental issues.
Beautifying our Lobby
A large number of visitors to our main office at Montgomery Park prompted a rotation of several lobby displays, highlighting our accomplishments. Currently featuring MDE’s hardworking Emergency Response Team, and next week, the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund, the public can follow progress on the upgrade of the 66 major wastewater treatment plants throughout the state and homeowner septic upgrade participation, as the display changes monthly. Coming Attractions in the lobby, include: Spring, Earth Day, Ozone Kickoff Day, Water Conservation, Back to School and Lead Week and America recycles Day.
Outreach as a two-way street – MDE strives to engage the public in discussions and demonstrations rather than simple dissemination and education. Giving all Marylanders the opportunity to realize the impact they as individuals can have on our environment is an extremely effective way of reaching out. Citizens can learn from pre-school up, how to keep our environment safe and clean while helping to restore it.
|
