Saint Lawrence University professor proposes resident survey to shape Ogdensburg environmental programs

Dr. Karyn Copeland, an Ogdensburg resident and professor of environmental psychology and design at Saint Lawrence University, asked the Ogdensburg City Council for permission to run a short, voluntary survey of adults to inform a student project that would produce recommendations for pro-environment behavior in the city. "As our class, what we'd like to propose is doing a study and survey and strategy development for pro environmental behavior in Hawkinsburg," Copeland said during the council meeting.

The project would distribute a 10-to-15-question survey via social media to residents age 18 and older, collect anonymous responses, and have students analyze themes and draft strategies for council consideration. Copeland said responses would be anonymous, the study would be submitted to the Saint Lawrence University research ethics board for approval before release, and the survey should take "5 to 10 minutes to complete." She described likely outcomes as suggestions to support activities residents already pursue, including boating, fishing, trails, species education, and options for yard waste and composting.

Council members did not raise formal objections during the presentation; a council member indicated support for the project and said they were "anxious to see the report" from students after analysis. Copeland told the council the team hoped to run the survey around March 10 for approximately one week but that schedule depended on ethics-board approval and council feedback.

The proposal would result in a report back to council with recommended strategies and possible educational or programmatic steps. Copeland supplied a QR code with sample questions and an email address for follow-up and invited council comment before submission to the university ethics board.