Public Education and Outreach: Coal Ash and the Okefenokee Swamp
Authors: Cindy Mobley, Gabriela Ortiz, Gardieliz Laureano, Samantha Hiley
Faculty Supervisor: Marci Culley, Ph.D.
Community Partner: Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC) / Rachael Thompson
Abstract:
This poster will present a Service-Learning project that was designed to fulfill partial requirements for a psychology course in Program Development and Grant Writing (PSYC 4510) and was conducted in partnership with Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC). GEC is an organization dedicated to creating a healthy economy and maintaining a clean environment for citizens of Coastal Georgia. We will apply concepts from this class to conduct a problem analysis and preliminary needs assessment that will help to inform GEC’s future public education and outreach efforts related to a coal ash landfill near the Okefenokee Swamp. We plan to research public education and outreach efforts of other, similar programs focused on coal ash and examine what is applicable or useful so we can offer recommendations for GEC’s future public education and outreach efforts focused on this topic. By suggesting ways to effectively promote public knowledge and awareness around this issue, we can help build the organization’s capacity to address this problem.
