Great Lakes Network communication evaluation: 2022

Gostomski, Ted

doi:10.36967/2294045

The Great Lakes Network conducts occasional surveys to evaluate our communication with network parks. Information gathered from the surveys helps us to assess our current modes of sharing information with parks and refine them where necessary. In early 2022, the staff at each of the nine Great Lakes Network parks were asked to complete a survey evaluating the communication efforts of the network office. The survey was created in Microsoft Forms, and a link to the form was sent to the “All Employee” email lists for all nine network parks (total of 571 people). The survey was open for four weeks (17 January through 11 February 2022). Responses were anonymous and each person could only complete the survey once. Ninety-one (91) responses were received, a response rate of 16%. The majority of respondents were permanent employees (86%) and most (74%) knew of the network monitoring programs occurring in their parks. Survey responses were summarized by pooling all responses and by division (Administration, Interpretation, Maintenance, Protection/Law Enforcement, Resource Management). The network’s newsletter continues to be the product that is most highly rated and broadly read by park staff, followed by resource briefs, Natural Resource and Data Summary reports, and “News for Parks” emails. Most respondents hear about us through email, and that is the medium by which they prefer to be contacted. Nevertheless, as we move away from hard-copy reports and briefs, we should consider another way to maintain two forms of contact with our parks. An option for this is discussed.

Great Lakes Network communication evaluation: 2022

Series

See also