Tree farmers & sign

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Colorado Tree Farmers are a network of land- owners that share forestry resources.

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Join Us
If you would like to join our tours, question our experts, or share information on forest ecology and management with our members, click on the link above.

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Landowners who become certified Tree Farmers in 2009 will receive the Colorado Tree Farmers forest management manual, Saving Your Forest.

Education>Master Tree Farm Course>Tree Farm Manager

PUBLIC RELATIONS

 

Dealing with the Media

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”. Bring out the Stewardship Ethic that is exemplified by Tree Farmers.  Be positive.

Tours

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.

Project Learning Tree

  Recommend to Tree Farmers that they attend a PLT workshop.  They will get some good ideas to use on tours and on visits with youth groups.  Tree Farmers can even host PLT sessions on their Tree Farm if they wish.  Provide information on the next PLT Workshop so interested Tree Farmers can register to attend.

Master Tree Farm Course     Tree Farm Manager