Please check out the following new social marketing scheme for water quality issues of lakes and rivers...The site has been referenced on the University of Wisconsin-Madison Website and by the Chicago Tribune.
Songs Raise Awareness about Aquatic Invasive Species
MADISON A new initiative at UW-Madison is using music to raise public awareness about aquatic invasive species in the state.
"Research shows music can influence how we respond to messages, affecting memory, emotion, attitudes, and even behavior," said Dr. Bret Shaw, Assistant Professor of Life Sciences Communication at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Environmental Communication Specialist for UW Extension. Shaw, who directed the project, recruited a group of award-winning Wisconsin songwriters to focus on preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, which are threatening lakes in the state. "These songs were created to encourage behaviors that will protect the quality of our lakes and rivers for future generations," said Shaw.
These songs communicate a number of messages such as the importance of cleaning boats when moving them between bodies of water and not moving bait minnows from one lake to another if water has already been added from the first lake to the minnow bucket, which prevents VHS fish disease (viral hemorrhagic septicemia) from spreading from an infected to a non-infected lake. Natural resource professionals reviewed the lyrics of each song to assure scientific accuracy and consistency with current laws in Wisconsin.
The primary target audience for these songs are 35-55 year old fishermen who are most likely to move between lakes increasing the risk that aquatic invasive species can transfer from one body of water to another. The music was also designed to appeal to this demographic, with a focus on classic rock, country and folk.
The songs have received exposure on a number of radio stations throughout the state, and are also being distributed with help from the UW Extension Lakes Program, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and the Wisconsin Association of Lakes.
To listen to these songs and learn more about this initiative, visit the project Web site at: http://www.uwex.edu/erc/music
Elizabeth Goers
Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin
United States
Aquatic Invasive Species
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I really like this project! Although not the normal music I listen to, these songs were quite catchy and certainly explained the habits that the program is hoping to instill in listeners.
Hopefully you can promote this to enough people in the community so that these habits become the norm amongst boaters! They seem like very easy things to do, but habits that many people would not have thought about.
Stuart McMillen
Australia
http://www.recombinantrecords.net/
Dear Elizabeth
I found this research using music to raise public awareness very interesting and look forward to reading more about the initiative. I believe this is a great way to convey environmental issues to the public and receive information on public perceptions. I have been involved with a number of projects run by the Australian National University(ANU) Field Studies program using artwork created in the field to raise community awareness of environmental issues such as water scacity and drought through various exhibitions. Musicians from the ANU School of Music had previously been involved. You may be interested in the following website for the projects: www.engagingvisions.com.au
regards
Judith Fuller
Australia
Thanks Judith and Stuart! I will have to check out the links in your posts. We have had some success with the project with a story published in the Chicago Tribune and people contacting us about the songs from California and Kansas.
Elizabeth Goers
Research Assistant
University of Wisconsin
United States