About Us
What is the story behind H2O Hero?
The Water Education Collaborative (WEC) set out to develop an awareness campaign that would educate the residents of the Genesee Regional Watershed of Lake Ontario about the enormous impact they can have on the water quality in our area. WEC leaders teamed up with the Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County and the Advertising Council of Rochester, a local nonprofit organization that creates awareness campaigns to address community-wide issues. The Ad Council pulled in a volunteer marketing team from SIGMA Marketing Group, and the rest is history.
Holy Hydrology! Who is H2O Hero?
In our world, he’s Larry. In your world, H20 Hero can be your neighbor, your best friend — even YOU! Everyone has the power to be an H2O Hero, because everyone has the power to change the way things are done around the home that can directly affect our waterways. Larry is an H2O Hero. Now it’s your turn. Find out how by clicking here.
What is the Water Education Collaborative?
The Water Education Collaborative (WEC) is a coalition of the following organizations that work together to increase water quality education in the community.
- Center for Environmental Information / Lake Ontario Coastal Initiative
- City of Rochester
- Genesee / Finger Lakes Regional Planning Council
- Monroe County Dept. of Environmental Services
- Monroe County Dept. of Planning
- Monroe County Dept. of Public Health
- Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District
- Nazareth College
- New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
- New York Water Environment Association
- Rochester Museum and Science Center
- State University of New York at Brockport
- Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County
- University of Rochester
The purpose of the Collaborative is to educate people about local water quality issues and inspire them to help protect and improve water quality in the lakes and streams of the Genesee Regional Watershed of Lake Ontario.
Why was WEC formed?
Most of the pollution in the Genesee Regional Watershed of Lake Ontario comes from storm water runoff that washes lawn and farm chemicals, road salt, soil particles and other substances from yards, roofs, and pavement. The need for public education on what people can do to make a difference was identified as a need in the Rochester Embayment Remedial Action Plan. In response, the collaborative was formed in 2001 to support educational programming.
The Mission of the Water Education Collaborative is to be an effective partnership of environmental and community organizations that advances educational programming consistent with the Rochester Embayment Remedial Action Plan and other regional water resource needs identified in the community.
What does WEC do?
The WEC uses the combined resources of its Members and Partners to:
- Plan, coordinate and facilitate Water Quality Education Programs
- Share resources and serve as a clearinghouse for water education programming
- Seek resources to support programs
What is the Stormwater Coalition?
The Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County is an alliance of 29 municipalities and institutions that is totally focused on stormwater issues and works collaboratively with its community partners to reduce stormwater pollution and protect water quality. Public education is an important part of the Coalition’s strategy because many routine homeowner activities such as lawn care, car maintenance and washing, and the disposal of household wastes are important sources of stormwater pollution. For more information on the Coalition, go to www.thestormwatercoalition.org.
CREDITS:
Producer
Barb Coté, SIGMA Marketing Group
Illustrator and Director
David Cowles / www.davidcowles.net
Writer
Tom Cunningham
Art Director and Web Design
Richard Whitesell, SIGMA Marketing Group
Animator
Jeremy Galante / www.jeremygalante.com
Voice Talent
Dave Kyle
Market Research
BRX Global Research
Harris Interactive
Background Music Recorded
Bob Potter, Finger Lakes Community College / www.cabinfeverrecording.com
Voice Recording and Mixing
Steve Bartolotta, MarketHOLD Productions
Video Editing
Chuck Munier, Crystal Pix
Music
Rob and Kellie Reed, Presto Largo
Guitar and Vocals
Rob Reed
Harp
Tom Hanney / www.thewhitehots.com / www.bluespower.org
Drums
Chris Van Campen
Bass and Backing Vocals
Bruce Lish
Backing Vocals
Alison Cowles
Media Planning
Butler/Till Media Services
Special thanks to our funders as well:
Advertising Council of Rochester
Finger Lakes / Lake Ontario Watershed Protection Alliance
Marie C. & Joseph C. Wilson Foundation
New York State Environmental Protection Fund
Rochester Area Community Foundation
Rochester Museum and Science Center
Stormwater Coalition of Monroe County
US Environmental Protection Agency
Thank you to our media partners:
13 WHAM TV/13.2 CW-WHAM
About…Time Magazine
Adnet Direct
Business Strategies Magazine
Catholic Courier
City Newspaper
Clear Channel Communications
Computer Link Magazine
Daily Messenger
The Daily Record
Democrat and Chronicle
Empire State Weeklies
Entercom Marketing Results Group
Freetime Magazine
Genesee Valley Parent
Golden Times
Labor News
Marquis Media
Messenger Post Newspapers
NextStep Magazine
Rochester Business Journal
Rochester Swap Sheet
Rochester Woman
Shopping Bag Advertiser
Time Warner Cable
WHEC – TV 10
WROC – TV 8
WUHF – Fox Rochester
WXXI
ConXion
D&C Insider
Entercom Radio
Contact Us!
Find out more about H2O Hero and the Water Education Collaborative. Contact us at:
Paul M. Sawyko, Coordinator
Water Education Collaborative
c/o Monroe County ROC
444 East Henrietta Road
Rochester, NY 14620
585.753.5441
psawyko@monroecounty.gov
To make a donation:*
Checks can be written to: The Water Education Collaborative.
Please send your donation to:
The Water Education Collaborative, 657 East Avenue, Rochester NY 14607.
*WEC is a 501 (c) (3) NFP organization.
