Lessons learned concerning impact assessment: pollution prevention technical assistance in Nebraska

After five years of assisting Nebraska businesses, the Partners in Pollution Prevention program at the University of Nebraska contracted with an independent third-party to conduct a survey to determine clientsʹ perceptions on the value of the technical assistance. A second assessment method, reassessment interviews, consisting of site visits by interns, supported many of the findings of the initial survey, allowed for exploration to better understand some initial responses, and collected metrics related to implementation of specific pollution prevention suggestions. A combined approach using more than one evaluation tool may be helpful to other environmental service providers in assessing impact of their programs.