Conducting an Evaluation of Your Urban Fishing Program

Author: Karen Ballard

What is the value of your urban fishing program? The capacity to conduct meaningful and cost-effective program evaluation is critical to program sustainability in this age of increasing accountability and competitive funding. Program evaluation requires clarity related to the ultimate desired outcome/impact of a program. It answers the question, “So What?” The meaningful evaluation of urban fishing programs can be guided by the development of a program logic model. The logic model is a graphic and text based representation of a program.  A logic model provides a representation of the “theory of action,” and can be used as a tool for summarization of the rationale behind an approach, the key elements of a program and the intended outcome(s). The logic model is utilized by public, private, non-profit, and governmental entities internationally. This presentation will provide participants with information on the key elements of the logic model and application steps to support the development of program outcome objectives which are specific, measurable, attainable, and results oriented. Use of the logic model can assist participants in the organization and analysis of data from multiple sources within an integrative framework.