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There is an activity that environmental educators use when teaching about the importance of nature. We hand out a piece of paper with pictures of company logos on one side and leaves on the other. We ask the kids to correctly identify as many different tree species and companies as possible. Invariably the kids know far more companies than plants. This issue was discussed in Richard Louv’s book Nature Deficit Disorder. It is a problem that society has faced for several decades and not one that can be remedied overnight. We can’t blame the kids for recognizing the logos of major companies. Brand recognition is crucial in the business world and most companies have whole teams of employees working to keep their logo in the public eye. If we use the adage “if you can’t beat them, join them” then using a bit of branding for conservation might help us on our mission. To test this, the staff of the Neosho National Fish Hatchery unveiled a new and much needed item for our outreach toolbox.
We are fortunate to be able to attend many educational and outreach events in the 4-state area. Often these events are held by state, county, Tribal, or other federal agencies. Making it obvious as to who we are isn’t always easy. We go to schools, universities, pow-wow grounds, and national monuments to educate the public about fish and the mission of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
When you attend a festival or community event, it’s very common to be far too busy presenting and teaching to have the time to walk around and see the other tables and presenters. When we were setting up this tent for the first time, other fish and wildlife employees from a different office came down to say hi. The first thing out of the employee's mouth was “We saw the logo and had to come say hello.” That’s how we know that this seemingly small effort has already made a big impact.
The plan is to use this very well-built display tent for many years at all our outreach events. The bright colors and logo will make it easier for staff to explain who we are and for all participants to recognize the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for our diversity in visitor programming. The following photos show the variety of events where this new tent has already been showcased.
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