Note: This site is for reviewing legacy plan of work data from 2007-2011. If you are looking for the current plan of work interface, visit pow.nmsu.edu.

Impact Report

For plan Environmentally sustainable management of aquatic resources and watersheds.
Date January 5, 2012, 5:24 pm
For Objective Short-term Show short-term objectives
Impact Report Objective 1. Provide educational programs on watershed stewardship and protection of watersheds from non-point source pollution. Programs will be provided to grower groups, master gardeners, pesticide applicators, and horticulture groups on an as requested basis. Participants in educational programs conducted in this area will report an increase in knowledge gained through the training. Accomplishments and Impacts: Educational Programs Master Gardener Training: 1 Master Gardener training was conducted in San Juan County. Survey responses indicate that 100% of trainees felt that the information presented will help them make better decisions about pesticide use. When asked to compare their knowledge of watershed management, environmental effects of pesticides, and best management practices for pesticide use before and after the talk, knowledge of 88% of respondents improved from "poor" or "fair" to very good and excellent. Additional comments given anonymously by surveyed participants included “The talk was excellent”, “It was very interesting and enlightening”, “Very interesting”, “Made me want to know more”.”Enjoyed very much, please come again”. Pesticide Applicator Training: Three presentations were given in 3 counties (Bernalillo, San Juan, Lea) during the reporting period. A total of 247 people, mostly commercial pesticide applicators and landscape/nursery workers, were in attendance at these presentations. Material presented at these workshops taught about the fate of pesticides in aquatic environment, effects on non-target organisms, properties of chemicals affecting their toxicity and persistence, and best management practices to minimize inputs of pesticides into aquatic environments. When surveyed, an overall average of 81 percent of participants indicated that they increased their knowledge of the subject matter which will help them in applying pesticides, with highest numbers in Bernalillo County (95%). Over 50 percent of participants indicated that they were likely to modify a current practice when applying pesticides based on information received at the workshop. Overall knowledge of the topic increased from an average of 2.4 before listening to the workshop to 3.2 after the workshop (Scale: 1= poor, 2= fair, 3=good, 4=excellent). Objective 2: Assist, support and promote Aquaculture growers in New Mexico. Accomplishments and Impacts: Interest in aquaculture has increased in New Mexico, with a number of new operations in various stages of start-up and operation. There is a growing interest in developing sustainable greenhouse aquaponics, as evidenced by the responses received to a statewide survey on industry priorities. This survey is used to promote interests and concerns of New Mexico’s aquaculture industry at the Western Regional Aquaculture Center Board of Directors meetings. In a survey of New Mexico aquaculture growers, 100 % of respondents found that the specialist was greatly helpful in their quest to establish a successful aquaculture operation, and was quick to respond to their questions and queries. 100 percent of respondents indicated that their knowledge had improved “to a great extent” thanks to information provided by the specialist. 75 percent of respondents indicated that the likelihood of their modifying a current aquacultural practice based on information obtained from the specialist was” fair” to “great”.