Activity E: Public Awareness, Education and Community Action

The community's involvement in the LSEMS program is essential if the goal is to be achieved. The community must be made aware of the problems facing Lake Simcoe and provided the opportunity to voice their concerns and get involved in clean up efforts. A strong outreach program is needed to work with all stakeholders to accomplish this task.

Specific initiatives involve the production and distribution of information materials, use of all forms of the communication media (print, radio, tv, world wide web) and scheduling and hosting events all aimed at building community support. The Authority will take the lead and work with the communications staff from all the provincial ministries and watershed municipalities to implement a communication strategy to build community support. In addition, stakeholders will be provided the opportunity to get directly involved in the decision making process by participating in the creating of a Citizens' Advisory Committee. Administrative services (agendas, minutes, organizing meetings...) for this committee along with the operation of the Steering and Technical Committees will be provided by the Authority.

ACTIVITY E: PUBLIC AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ACTION
Objective: Through information and education encourage public ownership, commitment, and involvement in the protection and restoration of the Lake Simcoe ecosystem.
ISSUES	ACTIONS	PARTNERS
25. Public Awareness, Education and Community Action	Develop a marketing and communication plan that includes: Developing and delivering educational materials, flyers, mailings, displays, presentations, open houses, workshops, information sessions, fact and information sheets etc…. Opportunities for public involvement (ie. Volunteers to tree plant, monitoring, members of the CAC etc.)	LSRCA, Citizens Advisory Committee, OMAF, MNR, MOE, MMAH, Watershed Municipalities, Community
26. Establish a Citizens Advisory Committee	Involve all stakeholders directly through the creation of a Citizens Advisory Committee	LSRCA, Provincial Ministries, Watershed Municipalities

Activity A: Basin Wide Ecosystem Planning
Activity B: Agriculture
Activity C: Urban
Activity D: Monitoring and Scientific Studies
Activity E: Public Awareness, Education and Community Action