Love Blue. Live Green.

About the Program

Category: Civic Education and Public Information (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

In an effort to reduce government redundancies, DuPage County Stormwater Management hosts a robust, regional water quality education and outreach program on behalf of its 42 municipalities. This program aims to reduce nonpoint source pollution in local waterways through technical education, citizen participation and residential outreach. For example, the County’s program encourages residents to reduce the amount of fertilizer used on lawns, which, in turn, will reduce excessive nutrients in waterways. To educate constituents, the County has developed brochures, webpages, press releases, social media language and a public service announcement video discussing both the problem with over-fertilization, as well as solutions to reduce fertilizer use. Although catalyzed by federal regulations, DuPage County’s program informs and engages the public on degraded waterways beyond what federal mandates stipulate. Under its “Love Blue. Live Green.” campaign, DuPage County has engaged its three main audiences – technical experts, interested groups and the general public – using more than 50 events annually, 20 publications, 13 videos, 4 social media outlets and a monthly e-newsletter. Further, municipalities and other partners use the County’s efforts to reach the nearly 1 million residents countywide. The “Love Blue. Live Green.” program is cost-effective, replicable and proven for use in other counties.