APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY PROGRAMMING: PARTICIPATORY EVALUATION OF IOWA'S CLEAN WATER STATE REVOLVING FUND PROGRAMS

摘要

Natural resource agencies must address technical, environmental, legal, policy, and financial issues when designing and implementing programs. Without a grasp of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of the target audiences, however, those programs will be less effective in delivering the desired outcomes; in this case, improved water quality. Our study of the CWSRF conservation loan programs provided research based information on the human dimensions of program implementation. The project helped us to gain a better understanding of borrower and nonborrower demographics, attitudes toward conservation, financial decision making processes, and conservation behavior.