104B State Water Resources Research Institute Scope 19: Evaluating and Addressing Climate Awareness and Water in Kentucky

Our changing climate is a global issue with widely varying effects. In Kentucky, our future climate will have distinct effects because of industries, agricultural practices, and communities specific to the state. Water issues in Kentucky present an opportunity to develop climate awareness about local climate effects in a non-coastal state. Raising public awareness around water and climate in Kentucky can be mutually reinforcing efforts. The purpose of this work is to increase climate awareness, particularly as it relates to Kentucky’s water resources. Specific objectives are to 1) develop a consortium of Kentucky climate researchers and educators to promote collaboration and information sharing on climate awareness issues and the dissemination of said information to the state’s population, 2) develop a website linking Kentucky’s citizens, students, and teachers to the consortium and Kentucky-focused climate resources, 3) evaluate current levels of climate awareness in Kentucky’s population (eastern, central, and western regions) with a focus on water resources, 4) develop a set of training materials, based on current awareness levels, for personnel who regularly interact with the public, such as Cooperative Extension Service agents and Kentucky Watershed Watch basin coordinators, and instructors (K-12 and adult learners), and 5) administer at least one workshop using the developed training materials.