Based on responses to evaluations and participation information recorded on the webinars, we know that 161 people participated from at least 38 counties. When asked what was the most effective part of the webinars, responding participants said:
* Knowledge of the current efforts and investments.
* The numerous resources and links that were suggested for more in-depth research.
*Targeted websites where we can access more information and stay informed.
*Being provided the larger scale view of the green economy with examples from the local region.
*Presenter was extremely knowledgeable and articulate on the subject while not making it too difficult for us to get it!!
*Food/hunger and Tom Hirschl's introductory remarks.
impact statement issue
New Yorkers are living through a period of remarkable change; they face challenges and new opportunities few could have predicted even a decade ago. Among challenges faced are the loss of traditional economic bases, increasing local government costs, a global recession, land use changes, pressure to develop new energy resources in the face of climate change, the weakening of traditional, community-based civic organizations, and decreasing civic engagement. At the same time, new domestic and global markets are emerging, green technologies represent a growing employment sector, land use planning innovations are taking hold, the small farm sector is growing, environmental interests and concerns are influencing policy directions more generally, and communication technologies are bringing people together in new ways.
impact statement response
The Sustainable Communities Webinar Series is designed to provide communities with science-based information and applied experience to help community leaders make informed decisions in the face of the above-mentioned changes and challenges.
impact statement summary
The CaRDI Sustainable Communities Webinar Series is designed to address topics related to the long term social, economic, and ecological sustainability of communities. We've chosen these topics with the goal of providing extension educators, community and economic developers, elected officials, and other local leaders with information that facilitates informed decision making at the community level. In our webinars, we aim to provide relevant information that helps communities identify, pursue, and achieve their development goals; to achieve this objective, we bring together a panel of speakers that includes a researcher, an agency representative, and an extension educator and/or other practitioner to share research, innovative outreach, and to foster dialogue with program participants.
