Distributing Literature

Description

Distributing educational literature is often cited as a primary means for informing boaters on nonpoint source pollution controls for marinas. In most instances undertaking this approach depends on three primary factors: what types of literature to use, where to acquire it and how to distribute it. In regards to the information types, flyers, posters, short booklets and fact sheets are commonly cited. Although these types can be produced in-house on a case by case basis, their most likely source is through governmental and non-governmental environmental organizations and also through industry related trade associations.

Implementation

The first task was to acquire a good source material that was widely applicable, accurate, appealing and concise. Once good source material was found, it was then adapted to suit are particular needs. This was done by CRC/Sea Grant and the NBEP who then coordinated on the production and publication of a Boater Fact Series that covers the topics of sanding and painting; solid waste disposal; vessel sewage; bilges, fueling and spill response; vessel cleaning and fish waste; and routine engine maintenance (see Appendix G of hard copy).

Two different distribution methods were then implemented. More specifically, the first method involved the use of standard literature display racks that were set up at convenient locations within three of the participating marinas, stocked with materials and monitored as to how many individual fact sheets were taken each month by the marinas customers. The second method, involved including one of the fact sheet series in each of the five marinas monthly billings over a course of six months. The content of the fact sheets coincided with the activities of boaters during different times in the season. For example, we mailed the sanding and painting fact sheet in the end of April, solid waste disposal in May, vessel sewage in June and so on. After completing the six month distribution process, this method was then evaluated through the use of a survey which asked the marina customers: 1) if they had been reading the individual fact sheets; and 2) if they were now using any BMPs that they had learned from reading them.

Evaluation

Cost: The costs associated with the display rack approach averaged $52.80 per marina ($45 to purchase the rack and $7.80 to stock it with 20 copies of each fact sheet). The cost for the monthly mailing approach on the other hand averaged $45.36 per marina ($7.56 for copying per month times 6 months).

Educational Value: Educational value refers to the approaches ability to persuade the audience to use new BMPs. Along these lines, through the survey we then identified that distributing literature ranked second among the customers choice for best method of informing them. Additionally, 75% of those who received the fact sheets actually read them, and of that 75%, 91% have since begun to use BMPs which they learned through reading the materials.

Cost effectiveness: Although distributing literature through the use of fact sheets has proven very effective in its ability to get boaters to use BMPs and it is undeniable that their is not a large difference regarding the costs of the two distribution methods used. The mailing method was much more cost because it managed to distribute an average of 126 copies per month per marina, whereas the literature display rack averaged only 5 copies per month per marina.

Lessons Learned/Recommendations

• Distributing literature ranked second among the boaters choices for best method of informing them and had the highest effectiveness rating of the three educational BMPs addressed, therefore the use of this approach is highly recommended.
• Distributing literature through monthly mailings was far more cost effective in reaching the target audience then simply using displaying racks due to the fact that the participating marinas were paying for the postage regardless of the inclusion of the individual fact sheets.
• If the use of monthly mailings are not applicable in a specific instance, consider sending them out with the seasonal contracts or having copies placed directly on the individual vessels stored at the marina over different points in the boating season.
• But, perhaps the most important lesson that we have learned about this approach is that you can not expect the customers to simply take the information. For this approach to be truly effective you have to put the material directly in their hands.
• Rhode Island Sea Grant now has a series of six boater fact sheets available that represent a widely applicable, accurate, appealing and concise source material.

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