Panhandle Outdoors Newsletter--2010 Oil Spill Issues

When it became evident the BP oil spill would impact Northwest Florida, UF's natural resources extension agents were asked to do everything from figuring out where oiled birds could be taken, to organizing volunteers, to taking interviews with journalists from all over the country. We were all pulled into emergency mode with zero experience in managing response to an oil spill. Because Florida doesn't have any offshore drilling and tourism is one of our primary economic drivers, fear and rumors spun out of control quickly throughout the community and nation. However, as educators we knew that our day-to-day role in bridging the gap between research, government, and the general public could serve us well in this situation. The natural resources agents have, for three years, collaborated on an online newsletter called, "Panhandle Outdoors." We have technical support from an information technology specialist with UF, but otherwise the newsletter is completely electronic and requires no funding (besides postage for a few mailed copies), supplies, or equipment outside our own computers. The newsletter is published 2-3 times per year, and distributed via email and hard copy to Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, and other interested clientele, often individuals who have attended our programs. It is also posted on each county's Extension webpage, making it accessible to anyone who visits our website. When the oil spill hit in late April 2010, we realized that an "Oil Spill Edition" newsletter could be an effective way to get factual information out to our clientele. In early July 2010, we compiled articles on basic oil spill impacts, chemical dispersants, wildlife impacts, seafood safety, and reported on some of the efforts we'd made to assist the community, such as a public forum and youth educational activities. In addition, we asked our family and consumer sciences colleagues to help address the stress and mental health aspects of the spill. A follow-up issue was posted and distributed in late September, also with a multi-disciplinary group of authors.

Analysis of web hits in early December showed that the summer and fall editions of the newsletter were viewed by 7,500 visitors. Our District Director sent copies to University administrators, Sea Grant faculty throughout the Gulf Coast, and NOAA staff, all of whom responded positively to the newsletters' content and depth. We received emails from advisory committee members and our Associate Dean of Natural Resources thanking us for the timeliness of the oil spill issues and for our work "on the ground." A recent survey of 193 natural resources clientele (volunteers, environmental professionals, owners of water-based businesses, etc.) showed that they tend to receive most of their information via email/computer, and also believe our highest environmental priorities are prevention of water pollution and protecting the marine environment. The ecology of the Gulf Coast remains the lifeblood of the Panhandle economy and culture, and the natural resource agents are striving to make the community aware of the importance issues and challenges surrounding it. We believe the "Oil Spill Editions" of Panhandle Outdoors achieved that goal.

Files

Panhandle Outdoors Summer 2010 Oil Spill Edition

The first special edition of our newsletter after the BP oil spill.

Panhandle Outdoors Fall 2010 Oil Spill Edition

Follow-up edition of oil spill-related topics, written by natural resource, horticulture, and family/consumer science agents. The goal was to address issues while providing some encouragement that stress could be managed and environmental conditions were improving.