ENSP 400: Capstone in Environmental Science and Policy

Assignment Objective

To assist USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) in the development of a new video that will educate individuals who handle regulated garbage in the importance of their work and the need to strictly follow established protocols

Background

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service within the United States Department of Agriculture is responsible for protecting the value of American agriculture and natural resources. One manner in which it does this is by having its Plant Protection and Quarantine program (PPQ) work with the U,S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) to ensure invasive plants, pests, and pathogens do not transit into the United States beyond points of entry within the country. Waste materials, such as fruits, vegetables, meats and other plant and animal material from abroad can serve as carriers of insects and pathogens that cause plant and animal diseases that otherwise do not exist in the United States. The introduction of such organisms can threaten food supplies, alter the biodiversity of ecosystems and impact the economic livelihood of individuals and industries.

Travelers who enter the country often lack awareness of the unintended consequences of introducing a new pest or pathogen into the country.  Additionally, those who handle the garbage generated by travelers through the commercial shipping of materials from foreign countries often do not fully appreciate the need for the procedures they must follow in disposing this garbage. To address these issues, APHIS created video entitled “ No Free Ride” nearly 10 years ago ((https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1wlxcIKfBE). This video emphasizes the importance of the procedures that must be used when handling and disposing of what APHIS defines as regulated garbage.

In the spring 2023 a capstone team created a communication plan to convey to stakeholders the vital role the APHIS regulated garbage program plays in protecting American agriculture. One of the recommendations of this capstone team was to update the “No Free Ride” video.

Problem to be solved

The video on the website is outdated and compliance agreement holders have recommended that APHIS update the video and make it more relevant. We would like the students to survey stakeholders and help create an animated video.

Phase 1

• Review past research and the products produced in the 2022 ENSP400 senior capstone regulated garbage project. Identify takeaways that will drive:
  1. The areas of emphasis in the video
  2. Approaches that should be taken in delivering the material in the video
  3. Assist the group in preparing questions for the individuals that will be interviewed over the course of the project. Interview APHIS and CBP on requirements of the video

Phase 2

• Interview stakeholders to determine needs and concerns of animated video.

Phase 3

• Prepare content and script for animated video.
• Share this information with APHIS and CBP personnel who will oversee development of the video and provide feedback.

Phase 4

• Create a mock-up of the video. Generate the report that summarizes the process used to generate the mockup of the video.