After Re-entry:Communicating Our Message

Effectively

UConn Cooperative Extension System

The Connecticut Forest & Park Association

The Department of Environmental Protection

After the seminar, I went home and:

Found I’d gained five pounds

Nursed my bug bites

Wondered what to do next

What you may (or may not) remember you agreed to do....

Making your own woodland into a local stewardship demonstration area by applying your new knowledge to it;

Actively publicizing the fact that you are a Coverts project Cooperator and are available to answer other woodland owners’ questions;

Selecting and planning for one specific outreach activity in the coming year, either on my own or with fellow cooperators.

Goals

Get something done on your own forest

Build Awareness with the public, behavior change with other landowners

“Attract the right eyeballs”

But How?!

Bias For Action

High Affinity

Woodlot owners with the right attitudes, facing a decision, possessing the resources to take on active forest management.

“Best Prospects”

Best Prospects

Forest owners who hold some degree of stewardship ethic

Facing a decision; at a “teachable moment”. Inclined to act

Right intentions, but don’t know which buttons to push

Help them focus, find the right resources

Mainstream “Agnostics”

Forest owners with Open Minds

May or may not be at a decision point

Don’t know/Aren’t aware Expose to ideas + info

Share your enthusiasm & experiences

Unredeemable “Atheists”

“Stewardship!?! No &$!#@ ever did anything for me - why should I be any different?!”

Minds are made up: forest stewardship isn’t even on the radar screen!!

Get Professional Help or Leave “em be!

Best

ProspectsAgnostics Atheists

OUR TARGETS

Local/Community Media….

Adds credibility and reachCan connect to both “Best Prospects” and

“Agnostics”Will report news, are looking for stories, guests to

interviewPublic access Appreciate up front effort (facts, writing, photos, etc.)Human interest/environment combo is potentLots of readers/viewers/listeners keep up to date via

local media and will connect with your message!

The Process

Press Release,Press Release,Other PublicityOther Publicity

Following SeminarFollowing Seminar

Do Something Real!Do Something Real!Plan &/or ImplementPlan &/or Implement

Create and PromoteCreate and PromoteAn “Event”An “Event”

Get the word out now while it’s news

Complete small steps to build experience, credibility and demonstration opportunities

Proven formats available

Target your audience

Schedule carefully

Follow up!!

Ron Carlyle

Made sure Press Release got in, established contact w/ reporter

Posters in chain saw shops, realtors offices, town hall Two press articles Gave forest stewardship seminar at local adult ed

center– Materials & AV from Ruth– Service Forester, DEP Wildlife Biologist helped teach– Two hour program– 19 attendees

Gave us registration list and we followed up

Bill Farrell

Contacted reporter, built article from press release

Neighborhood of small to mid-sized forests

Gathered names at town hall, invited abutters to a lunch

15 attendees, 300 acres Tom W and local DEP Forester

spoke Followed up with letter and

information, second annual held last year

Jim Matschulat

Not successful with press release

Retained consulting forester, did stewardship plan

Invited neighbors to walk with him & forester

2000 adjacent acres under plans

Hosted Coverts sponsored tour

Arranged for presentation at town land trust annual meeting, got others to speak

Event Tips

Check the competitive landscape for times & dates

Piggy-back onto existing crowd gathering eventsDon’t forget existing clubs, associationsDon’t do things you’re not comfortable doing:

speakers are availableWe want to help!!! Your fellow Coverts

Cooperators want to help!!! You are not alone!!!