THE ADVANTAGES OF

PARTNERSHIPS:
STORMWATER EDUCATION
CONSORTIA IN SOUTH CAROLINA

David F. Joyner
Natural Resources Agent
Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service
 Partnerships

• A relationship between individuals

or groups that is characterized by
mutual cooperation and
responsibility, as for the achievement
of a specified goal
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 1) COMPLEXITY:
Environmental issues, such as
water quality and stormwater
education, are often too large and
complex for one organization to
handle
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 2) REDUNDANCY:
Many organizations are already
working in a particular area of the
problem; there is existing
infrastructure, curriculum, and
information
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 3) RESOURCES:
Organizations bring various
resources (human, financial,
physical) and expertise to the
effort.
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 4) SYNERGY:
Working in partnerships creates
synergy and an improved public
perception of the issue, such as
united themes and presence.
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 5) CREDIBILITY:
Credibility is enhanced through
partnerships because it indicates
unity of purpose and importance of
the issue
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 6) COMMUNICATION:
Partnerships improve
communication, often between
formerly more independent
organizations
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 7) CREATIVITY:
New and creative ideas abound
when working together as a group.
 Partnerships—WHY?

• 8) SCALE:
The size and scale of a
watershed-level education strategy
requires a coordinated effort.
 Partnerships—WHO?

• Stormwater Education Consortia

Two Primary Groups:
• Phase II MS4 Communities
• Education Providers--Including
Universities, State Agencies, Non-
Profits, Others…
 Partnerships—WHO?
UNIVERSITIES/ACADEMIA
Partner Strengths:
– Technical Expertise
– Research Driven
– Extension Programs (Land and Sea
Grant)
» Homeowner, Farmer, Technical
Audiences
» Public Service Mission
» Mass Media (radio, tv,
newspapers)
• Examples:
– Clemson University—
Extension and Carolina Clear
Program
– Coastal Carolina University—
Waccamaw Watershed
 Partnerships—WHO?
FED, STATE, LOCAL
AGENCIES
Partner Strengths:
– Environmental Expertise
– Focused and Aligned Missions
– Regional or State-Wide Area
– Existing Education Programs

• Examples:
– SC Sea Grant and SCSG
Extension
– SC Department of Natural
 Partnerships—WHO?
NON PROFITS
Partner Strengths:
– Focused Target Audiences
– Aligned Mission
– Established Education
Curriculum
– Experience

• Examples:
– Waccamaw Riverkeeper
– Lowcountry Earth Force
– Michaux Conservancy
– Spirit of South Carolina
 Partnerships—HOW?

• IMPLEMENTATION: Case Studies of

Stormwater Education Consortia in
South Carolina
– Coastal Waccamaw Stormwater
Education Consortium
– Ashley Cooper Stormwater Education
 Partnerships—HOW?
• CWSEC: History and Background
– 2004 Education Providers met to discuss activities
and the need for a regional collaboration of
stormwater education efforts.
• Cal Sawyer of Clemson University's Carolina Clear
Program
• Susan Libes of Coastal Carolina University's Waccamaw
Watershed Academy
• Jeff Pollack of the North Inlet Winyah Bay Coastal
Training Program
• Hamp Shuping of the Waccamaw Riverkeeper® Program
•
– They joined with local MS4 communities to form the
CWSEC to work collaboratively to coordinate a
 Partnerships—HOW?
• Education Consortia Structure:
– Both Formal and Informal
– Formal arrangements with communities to
implement regional education strategy
– Each county/municipality signed a non-
binding resolution to develop regional
education strategy and form a stormwater
education consortium
– Joint resolution press conferences
– Formal and Informal Structure with
Education Partners
 Partnerships—HOW?
• Each Consortium has
developed an education
plan that provides an
outline of proposed events
– Consortium members both
work individually and
collaboratively on specific
projects
– Target Audience, Pollutant,
and Geography components
– Cohesive Evaluation and
 Partnerships—
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS
• Poor Communication and
Involvement
• Political Wrangling and Changing
Regulations
• Lack of Well-Developed/Realistic Plan
• Time and Budget Constraints
• Equality and Credit
Partnerships—SUMMARY

• Partnerships can be very effective for

multiple reasons:
– Education of diverse audiences over a large
geographic area requires collaborative efforts
– Multiple groups working together can achieve
more than working separately
– Sharing resources and expertise to arrive at a
mutual goal
• Avoid the pitfalls
– Develop a comprehensive plan