hCowA-toMguPidAe: IGNS
S
WELCOME
With a slogan like this, how cou
for helping your students and
Save the Crabs, T
uld it not be fun? Thank you
d community learn how to
Then Eat ‘Em!
This how-to guide will equip
you with the steps for conducting
an informational campaign.
Campaigns can be cost effective
and information-rich for your
students, school and community.
Throughout this campaign you
can make it your own, but the
following is a framework. Get
creative and enjoy!
sTteHp oEne:CAMPAI
The Save the Crabs, Then Eat ‘E
having individuals pledge to sk
spring. The slogan was create
connect a science-based concer
enjoy the seafood harmed by our
that creates questions and prom
your community to stop fertilizing
crabs so that they can enjoy a fe
IGN
Em campaign is centered around
kip fertilizing their lawns in the
ed by the Chesapeake Club to
rn to the stomachs of those who
r actions. It is a culinary approach
motes action. Rather than asking
g, you can ask them to save the
east later!
sSteAp tVwoE: THE CR
Did you know that, scientifically
time to use fertilizer for the river?
the fertilizer to grow, spring rai
waterways. This causes algae to gr
blooms eventually die, sink to the b
pulling oxygen out of the water and c
blue crabs, as well as delicious oys
survive. Unfortunately, this is a maj
River, as it has the largest dead zone o
So, to help the River and the
campaign asks participants to ple
spring and wait until the
RABS
speaking, spring is the worst
Rather than plants utilizing all of
ins wash fertilizer into our local
row in excessive levels. The algae
bottom of the waterway and decay,
creating a “dead zone”. The beloved
sters and fish, need that oxygen to
ajor problem in the Rappahannock
of all the rivers in the state of Virginia.
e blue crabs, this informational
edge to skip the fertilizer in the
fall, if they fertilize at all.
sGtepEthTreTe:ING ST
To participate in Save the Crabs
Then Eat ‘Em (STC), you will need
to have a pledge form fo
participants to fill out and ar
supplies for student posters. One o
the easiest to use is a Google
Form because it collects all of the
participant’s information in a sprea
Google Forms you can make a pa
information. This can be used at
outreach events, or even at drop-of
with Friends of the Rappahannock
that you can give to everyone wh
sparking curiosity about the cam
TARTED
s,
d
or
rt
of
e
e
adsheet. If you do not want to use
aper form that asks for the same
t your school’s sporting events,
ff or pick-up. You can also partner
k to receive STC bumper stickers
ho pledges. These are great for
mpaign, and people love them!
sSteUp foPurP: LIES
The following supplies are needed
for the campaign:
• Pledge forms, paper or
electronic, such as a Google
form
• *Optional: Computer for Google
• Art Supplies
• Poster Board
• Tape
• *Optional: bumper stickers from
Friends of the Rappahannock
Poster Idea
PsteLp fEiveD: GING
The campaign should be started
members begin fertilizing their lawns fo
the pledge form so that all information a
people can pledge to skip the fe
• Name • Mailing Address • City, Stat
• I pledge to not fertilize my lawn this sp
• *Optional: How did you find out about
in the winter before community
or the spring. The first thing to set up is
about the campaign can include where
ertilizer. The form should include:
ate, Zip Code
pring. • Acreage not fertilized
the campaign?
Save the Crabs, Then Eat ‘Em
Pledge to SKIP the fertilizer this spring!
*Required
First and Last Name*
_____________________________
Mailing Address
_____________________________
City, State, Zip Code
_____________________________
I pledge to not fertilize my lawn this spring.*
Yes
Acreage not fertilized this spring.*
____________________________
Name Address
Google Form
*
Printed Form
Pledge to Email
SKIP the Acreage
fertilizer
sPteUp sBix:LICIZING
Students can create public service
announcements, radio ads and
posters that explain the campaign
and what people can do to
participate. A letter can also go
home to families to explain what the
student will be participating in and
the importance of the campaign.
Once all of the information is
shared, pledges will begin to be
made and bumper stickers, if you
chose, can be be distributed either
in person or through the mail with a
thank you note.
G
Local Radio Ads
sMtepAseKveInN: G IT R
The STC
When th
look at th
phospho
through
calculate
This is a
students
Campaig
are not a
efforts,
reduction
impact
REAL
TC campaign ends in late spring.
he campaign is over have students
he amount of nutrients, nitrogen and
orus, they kept out of the waterways
their campaign. This can be
ed by using the equation:
14 X acreage = pounds
an important wrap-up step because
s can calculate what they achieved.
gns can be difficult because students
always able to see the results of their
but by calculating the nutrient
n you are giving them a quantifiable
that they can be proud of!
QUESTIONS
If you are interested in hos
the Save the Crabs, Then
‘Em campaign or have quest
about the process or this ho
guide, please contact:
Friends of the Rappahanno
Headquarters: 3219 Fall Hill Ave
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540.373.3448
Tidal: Post Office Box 1459
Tappahannock, VA 22560
804.443.3448
[email protected] • riverfriends
S
sting
n Eat
tions
ow-to
ock
enue
s.org
fNunOdeAd bAy: Chesap
Watershed E
and Trainin
peake Bay
Education
ng Grant