Through the Clean Lawn Care program development, WSA worked with both lawn care companies and Certified Master Watershed Stewards to collaboratively create a Clean Lawn Care regime aiming to reduce fertilizer and pesticide use on lawns that are maintained by contractors. We also developed a number of tools to assist both target audiences: Lawn Care Companies and Homeowners who use lawn care companies to maintain their yards for services beyond mowing. Once the regime and tools were developed, we conducted additional research with both of our target audiences, revised tools and recruited companies to offer clean lawn care services. In preparation for the mini-pilot, we trained 7 lawn care companies in the Clean Lawn Care protocols and solidified their partnership with WSA to offer Clean Lawn Care through a Company User Agreement.

The goal of this project was to change the littering behavior of residents in Forest Heights, Maryland and the surrounding communities to create a Trash Free Community. Utilizing extensive research, AFF has developed a littler prevention campaign which consists of a compelling message, visuals, and outreach tools to trigger behavior change and encourage engagement of residents. Through experiences in Deanwood in the District of Columbia, AFF has learned that it is necessary to engage residents through activities they are already participating in, specifically by finding a central location in the community where many residents are already participating in activities. Other key lessons learned were to listen to the issues of the community, have large visuals on display, and have ways for engaged citizens to get involved.

Using Watershed Stewardship Academy's (WSA) adaptation of Doug McKenzie Mohr's Community Based Social Marketing, this project worked with a group of Certified Master Watershed Stewards to develop and pilot a program to foster leaf and trash removal from storm drains, curbs and sidewalks. Informed by baseline survey data and focus groups, WSA developed and distributed 3-5 social marketing tools to foster behavior change. Through follow up surveys and observation, WSA measured the change in awareness, knowledge, and behavior within a pilot community.