039 - Taking it to the Road: Utah Biochar Workshops Increase Knowledge and Lead to Behavior Change

Quenched biochar that was dumped and spread during a biochar workshop in Moab, Utah.

Why Workshop?

Implementing and evaluating state-wide biochar workshops have become a crucial component of USU Forestry Extension's suite of outreach programs. These events foster dialogue between landowners, community members, and professionals who may not have met otherwise, and provide a space to generate ideas and foster discussions around natural resource stewardship that often precede action. Our biochar workshops provide an opportunity to enhance understanding about forestry, wildland fire, climate change, carbon sequestration, soil health, air quality, and invasive species management. 

Workshops and demonstrations are effective at changing public attitudes and behaviors. Moroney and colleagues found the public preferred and strongly supported face-to-face workshops to receive information on woody biomass (Moroney, Laninga, & Brooks, 2016). Parkinson and colleagues found hands-on learning opportunities were effective in educating rural Idaho communities on fire preparedness, and post-workshop surveys indicated positive attitudes and beliefs about supporting fire management programs (Parkinson, Force, & Smith, 2002). These results demonstrate the positive impacts that result when scientists engage the public in hands-on learning environments such as workshops, and our experiences conducting biochar workshops support these findings. The informal atmosphere of our workshops was created on purpose; it has allowed us to effectively 1) present and exchange a significant amount of information about biochar techniques 2) create a space for dialogue with the public, and 3) foster a sense of mutual respect and trust between experts and the public. Engaging non-scientists through workshops, websites, or in print material is effective for communicating science to the public and is the foundation on which our biochar workshops are conducted (Brownell, Price, & Steinman, 2013). 

Why Evaluate? 

Two models are traditionally used as a guide for Extension professionals conducting evaluations: Bennett’s Hierarchy and the Logic Model (Bennet, 1975; Wholey, 1979). Table 1 demonstrates how our biochar workshops fit within Bennett’s hierarchy and the Logic Model. 

Bennett noted that step 6 is essential for evaluating Extension programs, however, many Extension educators may not evaluate beyond step 5 (Bennett, 1975; Lamm, Israel, & Diehl, 2013; O’Neill, 1998; Workman & Scheer, 2012). Capturing this data means Extension has the opportunity to document the full picture of the public good stemming from their programs (Stup, 2003). We recognized the need to fill this gap and modified our evaluation strategy in 2017 to include immediate and long-term surveys that measure attitudinal and behavioral impacts and practices that were adopted due to attending the biochar workshops. This fact sheet documents the higher-level impacts (step 6 of Bennet’s hierarchy and Outcomes-Impact, long-term of Logic Model) stemming from our biochar workshops. Specifically, we report on knowledge gained, behavior changes, and the public benefits from attending our biochar workshops. For a complete description of our workshops, see https://ubrg.usu.edu/news/simple-kiln-technology/index   

Group discussion during a biochar workshop in Emery County, Utah.

RESULTS

Survey Results: 6 to 8 Months Post-workshop

We wanted to find out if knowledge and interest in biochar, along with the propensity to create biochar and/or a biochar kiln increased 6 to 8 months after attending one of the workshops. Our survey indicated four important impacts:

Group discussion during biochar workshop in
Park City, Utah.

Survey Results: Are People (Independently) Making Biochar?

We also wanted to know if people were making biochar on their own. Summit County Extension made 2 kilns available to anyone interested in making biochar and once we learned that someone had plans to make biochar or borrow a kiln, we administered a short follow-up survey. Our findings indicate that in the first year, 9 private landowners, non-profit employees, farmers, and private and public land managers made biochar from aspen (Populus spp.), pine (Pinus spp.), chokecherry (Prunus spp.), and scrub oak (Quercus spp.). We asked what motivated them to make biochar and found that 63% were generally curious about biochar and had a desire to experiment with the process, 13% had an interest in fuels reduction, and 25% had a desire to apply biochar to their land. Most respondents (75%) indicated they would consider borrowing a kiln in the future, 20% of respondents agreed that amending their soil and reducing fuels was easier because the kilns were available to borrow, and 40% agreed that having the opportunity to borrow the kilns and have the hands on experience making biochar was beneficial.

Are People Independently Making Biochar?

We found that people are independently making biochar after attending one of the biochar workshops. These results demonstrate behavior change and tangible benefits that stem from biochar workshops and while our sample size is small, the experience gained and program reach is evident. Capturing these “snowball effect” impacts will remain a part of upcoming workshop evaluations. 

These findings support the notion that Extension evaluations have more power when behavior change and long-term outcomes are evaluated (Bennett, 1975; Lamm, Israel, & Diehl, 2013; Workman & Scheer, 2012). For Extension programs to be the most effective they must change individual attitudes or behavior or benefit society (Lamm, Israel, & Diehl, 2013; Diem, 2003). Based on our results, we recommend conducting immediate follow up surveys (1 to 2 weeks) as well as long-term surveys (6 to 8 months) after a workshop. We plan to administer additional long-term surveys (1 to 2 years post-workshop) to further evaluate the temporal relationship between workshop attendance and behavior change(s). If this kind of information could be useful to educators, we recommend doing the same. This comprehensive assessment has allowed USU Extension Forestry to continue evaluating outcomes and impacts while simultaneously enhancing the Biochar Workshop Program.

This picture is from a biochar workshop in Emery County, Utah and is emblematic of the diverse group of attendees that commonly attend these events. Pictured here are firefighters, members of the public, ranchers, and state and federal employees (and one horse). The group was learning how to make biochar from the invasive Russian-olive tree (Elaeagnus angustifolia).