Dissemination, technology transfer and environmental education criteria applied to hydrogeology, and specially, to managed aquifer recharge: proposal for a strategy to introduce these techniques to the population, and some examples for Spain

Abstract

Information and environmental education play a very important role in raising awareness of hydrogeology, particularly the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR). One of the landmarks of the DINA-MAR (Depth Investigation of New Areas for Managed Aquifer Recharge) i&R&D project has been the design of a dissemination plan applicable to hydrogeology, and specially, to MAR activities. The initial planning included reviewing various proposals of strategies for information, training and dissemination aimed at different sectors of the population grouped into homogenous groups. Upon execution of the dissemination plan, it has been revealed that the combination of dissemination and technology transference techniques (hereafter D&TT) with environmental education and psychological techniques has a synergetic effect with respect to the classical dissemination of knowledge in hydrogeology. It is being tested and applied in the implantation of the technique of managed aquifer recharge in countries where implantation is not widespread, such as Spain. As a result of the development of material and procedures for dissemination over 4 years, an embryonic strategy has been drawn up. It is a complex process which finally leads to a master catalogue that relates activities to target groups and their impact rate. This master catalogue allows the roll-out process of D&TT to be handled with a certain degree of planning, incorporating technical criteria with the transfer of the philosophy of dissemination, as a centrifugal process, from development groups to homogenous groups, from management and authorities to the general public, defining the limits of the circles of dissemination and the strategic directions. It also considers feedback methods and establishes stages to give the process a chronological order. In addition, some examples already tested in Spain to date are presented, not only activities, but also materials, most of them within the framework of the referenced project.

Appendix 1: DINA-MAR Project 3rd brochure

See the Appendix.