Education>Master Tree Farm Course>Tree Farm Manager
It is very important to get the word out about sound forest management. It
is up to Tree Farmers to let others know about Tree Farming.
There are many ways that we can spread the word.
Most involve the media. Newspapers,
radio, and television are the big three.
Handouts that provide pointers to a successful media contact follow.
Use them as a guide but always make the story a personal one.
There are no “bad” stories, only poorly presented ones.
“Take a reporter to lunch” is an old saying that holds true today. Make
a friend. Don’t always want something from him. Be truthful. If
you don’t know answers, let him know that fact. Then, find the answers and
relay them to him as soon as you can.
Choose the words you use carefully.
Don’t say “cut trees”. Say
“harvest products for the family”.
One of the best ways to get your message across is to show what you are
doing on the ground. Tours of your
Tree Farm provide that opportunity.
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Be well organized. Use
handouts where they can help. |
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Use demonstrations. TV
crews will go out of their way show trees being planted. |
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Show what you want the touring people to see. |
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Don’t show them what you don’t feel good about showing them. |
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Start with a large-scale map and a short presentation. |
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Find unique ways to share the message.
For example, Tom Borden’s “talking tree”. |
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Cookies and hot chocolate can’t hurt either. |
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Follow up with the group leader, reporter, or official after the tour to see if they have questions about what was seen on the tour. |