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2012 Huron River Watershed Community Calendar Facts The City of Ann Arbor and several other communities within the Huron River watershed are required by Phase I and II Federal National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Stormwater Permits to conduct on-going public education to reduce or prevent nonpoint source pollution. The calendar meets that federal requirement by presenting a full year of monthly informational pollution prevention tips targeted to homeowners in a single direct mail piece. The tips are related to permit topic requirements that include: illegal dumping, fertilizer and yard care, rain barrels, pet waste, car care, rain gardens and native plants, home toxics, storm drain awareness and general watershed education. This year, 13 participating communities produced 37,000 calendars for distribution to watershed residents. The very large quantity reduced the per piece production, design and printing costs to less than $1 per calendar. The direct mail paper wrap format was chosen to minimize mailing costs for the City of Ann Arbor and another community that mailed the calendar to residential homeowners. Bulk rate postage came in at $.195 per piece with mailing prep services provided at minimal costs of approximately $35 per 1,000 pieces. Recommendations and best practices by local direct mail experts as well as the U.S. Post Office were followed. The paper wrap and calendar served as the main promotion to recruit participation in an online Watershed Community Survey. Results from the survey will be used to evaluate overall effectiveness of the communities’ public education and outreach efforts. HRWC produced the first watershed community calendar as part of a grant funded program using mass media to promote NPS pollution prevention. HRWC has provided its expertise in NPS pollution prevention and social marketing techniques to the calendar production in years 2003, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012 and has also coordinated community participation in the program. Local vendors were chosen to supply all parts of the calendar: Goetzcraft Printers, Christianson Design, and local photographers Marc Akemann, Keith Matz and Ted Nelson. Papers and inks were chosen to minimize both costs and environmental impacts and maximize production quality. Paper is 10% recycled (very good for a ‘coated sheet’ where it’s hard to incorporate recycled material) and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified (this body ensures the responsible management of the forests they use). The ink used was Eco-Smart which is vegetable based (soy/linseed). Goetzcraft also recycles every aspect of the process (ink, paper, plates, chemistry (water soluble)).