Copper River Country Stories Map and Associated Projects

COMMUNICATIONS PLAN

Copper River Country Stories Map and Associated Projects

COMMUNICATION GOALS

1. Foster community support of the project.
2. Share opportunities and incentives to potential stakeholders for becoming a group participant.
3. Update public and stakeholders on the groups’ achievements, action plans, and new directions as well as opportunities for further input.

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The McDowell Group's 2006 "Profile of Visitors to Rural Alaska and The Copper River Basin." notes that "when asked why they chose to visit the Copper Basin area, three-quarters of visitors said they were 'passing through.'” A likely reason so many travelers just "pass through" the Copper River area rather than stop is a lack of information about visitor opportunities. There is currently no single product that meets the need of introducing people to the potential and possibilities of the 23,020 square mile Copper River Country. Visitors and local residents must piecemeal together the information they need to explore and learn about the area. The Copper River Country Stories Map will fill this gap.

The Copper River Country Stories Map will keep a local face on the growth of tourism in this region and will encourage a respectful and thoughtful visit to our communities. By depicting the area's rich heritage resources and by showing off some of the many wonderful possibilities for adventure and learning, the map will not only attract more visitors to Copper River Country, but also will attract the type of visitor who wants to slow down and listen to local voices rather than just travel quickly through.

The Copper River Country Stories Map will be an opportunity to impart to visitors and residents alike an understanding and appreciation of this region's living landscape, a place where people actively hunt, recreate, gather berries and fish. It's hoped that this increased understanding and appreciation leads to better resource stewardship. No one wants to see trash or debris lying around; the map will encourage people to be more thoughtul about what they do with their sewage and solid waste. Multiple users, including hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, and ATVers, enjoy the many trails in Copper River Country; this map will help alleviate conflicts between these different groups by conveying the need for trail etiquette and respect for all users. It will also help to disperse travelers to a variety of recreational opportunities.

KEY MESSAGES:

The goals of the final product will be to:

• Facilitate opportunities for connection to the meanings of the natural and cultural resources of Copper River Country;
• Create authentic products that are informative, attractive and useful to stakeholders who both want to use and distribute them.
• These products will add value and depth to visitors’ experiences.
• Orient readers to the scale of the region in regards to time, distance and unique aspects of the region’s rural culture.

TARGET AUDIENCES

(note: you can keep this simple, or you can make it detailed, whichever serves the group best).

Internal

Listserv Members

External

State of Alaska legislators: Rep. John Harris, Rep. Woodie Salmon, Sen. Gene Therriault, Sen. Al Kookesh

State of Alaska DNR - Region ?

State of Alaska Dept of Fish and Game – Glennallen Offices

Copper River Country Communities, Native Villages and Corporations: (list them out? Or not?) Mentasta, Slana, Chistochina (Cheesh’Na), Gakona, Gulkana, Sourdough, Paxson, Tangle Lakes, Maclaren?, Eureka? Lake Louise? Mendeltna, Nelchina, Tolsona, Glennallen, Copperville? Tazlina, Copper Center (Kluti-Kaah), Willow Creek, Kenny Lake, Chitina, Tonsina, McCarthy, Kennecott? (I can never remember which spelling is which, can someone help me out here?).

Copper River Country Businesses

Copper River Country Organizations

Local Media: Copper River Record, Valdez Star, Wrangell St. Elias News, KCHU, KCAM, KMBQ.

Statewide Media ??

COMMUNICATION PRODUCTS

News Releases

Radio Bulletin Meeting Notices

Newspaper Meeting Notices

Q&A Sheet

Listserv for Participants

Other? Handouts?

Presentations at potential partner meetings?

Responsibility	Action	Due Date	Completed
Who will do this?	Newsrelease – Update on January Meetings	February 2009
Who?	March Meeting Notice: Radio PSA and Newspaper Invite	March 2009
Who?	Newsrelease – Update on March meetings?	April 2009

Sample Radio PSA:

Insert a previous radio announcement here.

Sample Meeting Announcements:

Insert or attach a sample flyer or Newspaper announcement here.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Begin to think of questions that the public or potential stakeholders are likely to ask. Then we can all work to answer these questions.

1. How can I participate in this project? While there are many ways to participate in this project, please start by sending an email to? Or calling? so that the group can begin to include you in meeting notices and provide you with updates….(whatever we want to say here).

2. Will there be opportunities to provide further input? Answer.

3. Who is funding this project? Answer.

4. Who is sponsoring this project? Answer.

5. Question? Answer.

6. Question? Answer.

7. Question? Answer.

For more information or to contribute:

Marnie Graham
Public Affairs Specialist
BLM - Glennallen Field Office
P.O. Box 147
Glennallen, AK 99588
907-822-3217
marnie_graham@blm.gov