Looking for Survey that Asks Why People Do/Don't Vegetate their Shorelines

I attended a presentation by a strategic communications group in the Twin Cities (MN- USA) called ACTION MEDIA. To emphasize one of the 5 steps of strategic communication (who should tell the story and really make things happen), they told about a group concerned about riverfront development along the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Through surveys and talking with people, they found out that the land owners really wanted to protect their shorelines but didn't know what to do. The organization identified real estate agents as being the best messengers to convey the information before the people even bought the property and set up a program to educate real estate agents about ways to protect shorelines, etc. The real estate agents who participated got a special certificate and badge as being a "River Friendly Realtor" and gave the buyers of the property a pamphlet on how to protect their property, agencies to contact for assistance, etc. I did a quick google search on "real estate agents protect shoreline" and came up with some hits -- one from Hawaii sounded promising. The ACTION MEDIA people could give you the particulars and probably connect you with the group that did the surveys, etc. www.actionmedia.org 612-331-6466.

Good luck.
Nancy Adams

Hi Sommer:

The Federation of Ontario Cottagers' Associations (www.foca.on.ca) has a program called 'Dock Talk' which I believe involved the discussion of shoreline naturalization techniques with cottage owners. They may have a short survey prepared that they can share with you.

Best regards,
Alex Phillips, B.E.S.

Watershed Technician -
Waterfront Watershed Management Division
Toronto and Region Conservation
tel. 416-661-6600 ext. 5570
fax. 416-667-6278
email: [email protected]
URL: http://www.trca.on.ca

Hi Sommer,

We were involved a number of years ago in a multi-agency/organisation (called the Vincent Lake Working Group) approach to better understand cottagers/lakefront residents, their knowledge, perceptions, activities, etc, and then a several year approach of awareness, events, etc (using what we learned) to increase knowledge and clear up misconceptions to encourage better lakefront management. We worked as a group to determine the questions we thought we wanted answered (ask me about file 'Top ...Questions...'), Equus was consulted to do focus groups (highlight results in .ppt slide show) and Nancy Bateman to do a survey (ask me about Survey Final.doc). Unfortunately, I do not have all the final (results) documents digital (just wasn't the norm even then), but I've attached the pieces I have. Please contact me or [email protected] if you are interested in more details than I have been able to attach here. As it is not possible to include attachments in emails to the listserv, please respond to me for copies of the files (they are not publicly posted, but I will reply with them on request). We would certainly be interested in the approach you take as well as what you learn along the way.

Sincerely,
Norine Ambrose

Program Manager Cows and Fish -
Alberta Riparian Habitat Management Society
2nd Floor, YPM Place 530-8th Street South
Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada T1J 2J8
Ph: 403-381-5538
Fx: 403-381-5723
email [email protected]
web site: www.cowsandfish.org