Working as a summer intern at the Sierra Club, Maryland Chapter, I was sent to attend the Fourth Annual Choose Clean Water Conference in Baltimore, MD (August 2013). As an environmental health major at the University of Maryland College Park and a strong advocate for clean water practices, I expected that I would know everything that would be discussed at the conference. In addition to the surprisingly beautiful hotel conference room with high-rising columns and lighted chandeliers, I was surprised to find that I left with more knowledge about clean water than I had already known.
There were many informative presentations, but the one that left the most lasting effect on me was the “What Happens Below Matters Above: Effective Messaging for Stormwater Management” workshop. The panel, which included Libby Modern, Kristy Chester Vance, Robbi Savage, and Jim Caldwell, discussed various techniques to use when explaining stormwater to the public. People have become accustomed to the ability to simply turn the faucet on and have clean water, but this norm may soon be gone if we don’t manage stormwater pollution. Referring to the stormwater utility fee, I learned that it is very hard to convince people that this fee will protect them from both the health and environmental risks attributed to stormwater, regardless of how many facts you provide them with. Instead, we need to show them the positive effects of the fee and exactly where their money will go by renovating local parks, restoring waterways, or even engaging communities to build rain gardens together. It is important that when communicating we relate stormwater concepts to people’s individual values and persuade them with actual stories of people that have been directly affected.
Leaving the conference, I was throughougly impressed at how much I learned. I also felt a sense of gratitude that the Sierra Club's Maryland Chapter provided me with the opportunity to attend and enhance my knowledge. So many people think they cannot make a change because they are just regular people, but it is becoming increasingly evident that the Chesapeake Bay, as well as many other local waterways, will not be restored without public engagement. The Sierra Club is an amazing organization to join that is always open to volunteers and even allows the public to be board members.