To gain an accurate understanding of practices and educational needs for a specific watershed or region, the LOAPE program makes use of a set of standardized surveys that can be tailored in unique ways to reflect local resource issues and conditions.

The surveys use attractive formatting and are delivered in multiple ways (for example, face-to-face interviews, mailed questionaires and group meetings). Responses are kept confidential, and response rates commonly exceed 75%. Results from this standardized approach to assessing audience needs are used by local water quality program staff to target their efforts to groups who reveal a need for assistance and information in specific areas. Staff are also able to determine the preferred way to reach this group. 

For example, mid-sized farms in a certain portion of the watershed might not be fully utilizing nutrient crediting options, and might prefer to get information through individualized on-farm consultations.  Questions emphasize landscape topography and drainage patterns, soil and well testing results, farm/firm characteristics, management characteristics such as the application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and where people get information. Typically, local program staff are responsible for delivering the surveys or collecting information, and staff of the Environmental Resources Center work as advisors to the delivery process and ultimately handle the data analysis. ERC staff customize report writing and consult with local staff on how to link the resulting information to education program efforts.

• Where do they live?
  
  

• What do they look like demographically?
  
  

• What do they do?
  
  

• What behaviors/actions do they engage in that potentially impact water quality?
  
  

• How do they prefer to receive information?

LOAPE uses standard assessment/survey tools.