Inventory and Monitoring Division communication strategy and resource guide

Mims, Alison; DeBacker, Michael; Wondrak Biel, Alice; Gostomski, Ted; Nortrup, Megan; Beer, Margaret

The Inventory and Monitoring Division (IMD) Communication Strategy and Resource Guide has been developed to provide all IMD staff with information, strategies, and practical tools to better communicate the work we do. This document melds the strategic with the practical: overall objectives reflect division-wide direction and goals, and specific tools and resources provide a tangible road map towards meeting these goals. The IMD has been actively collecting and reporting on inventory and monitoring data for over 15 years. During this time there have been some areas of structured communication standards and guidance (e.g., the Natural Resource Publication Series, network Internet sites). However, in many other areas, products, presentations, and messages have varied widely. This was to be expected of 32 network offices dispersed across the country, and of a program in its early years of establishment. Communication is a skill increasingly required of 21st-century scientists and scientific programs, and as the IMD moves into a phase of sustained operations, the need for coordinated and effective communications is fundamental. This strategy is part of a tiered structure of communication documents. The Natural Resource Stewardship and Science (NRSS) Communication Framework sets forth a vision and principles for conducting science communication within the NPS. This IMD strategy takes the vision and principles from the NRSS framework the next step—to the I&M division level. From there, the strategy provides IMD networks with resources to develop local implementation plans, which allow networks to meet both their specific needs and support the larger division goals. The strategy is organized by four main objectives, each based on a target audience group: - Objective A targets NPS decision makers: “IMD science seamlessly integrates into NPS resource management decisions.” - Objective B targets the scientific community: “IMD effectively interfaces with the scientific community” - Objective C targets internal IMD, NRSS, and NPS leadership communication: “IMD staff, NRSS staff, and NPS leadership are well-informed and coordinate activities and goals” - Objective D targets the public: “Public audiences understand, value, and are inspired by the work the IMD does as part of the NPS” Within each objective are specific key messages, strategies, tactics, and expected outcomes. Tools and evaluation options for each tactic are provided in appendices A–D. Tactics and tools are dynamic and evolving, and they will be updated and adjusted periodically to maintain their relevance and reflect lessons learned from implementing the strategy. Strong and effective communication is inherently part of everyone’s job in the IMD. By providing a road map, useful tactics and tools, and a means of sharing our communication endeavors, this strategy and resource guide sets a course for ensuring IMD information completes its “last mile” and reaches the broadest audiences possible in the most useful formats.

Inventory and Monitoring Division communication strategy and resource guide

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