Our First Summit Discussion Topic! “Engaging the General Public”

As promised, once a week we will send out either a breakout group topic or one of the Storycorp-style videos to share with everyone. For the breakout group topics, we will start a discussion in our Facebook Group and if you have ideas to share, whether you were in that breakout group at the summit or not.

So please come join our Facebook Group and ask questions or share about the topic below:

Engaging the General Public

• Toledo Metroparks – “Bird Bingo” got 12,000 “likes” in three days! – interactive
• Care Packages – Loaner trunks with binoculars, guides, fossils, magnifying lens, bug boxes
• Online Store – Social Media Piece
• Three “Es”:
  • Educational,
  • Entertaining,
  • E-commerce (include Workshops)
• Choose a theme to highlight and focus on a real person – women in STEM, LGBTQI, etc. (CANVA)
• Flashy, quick, attention getter vs. quality education
• There is no “General” Public
• Target segments – parents, retirees & grandparents, community residents, gardeners, farms, native plant backyard gardeners
• Target older adults, young professionals, container gardeners
• Speaker series
• Lack of Science Literacy – third grade level
• How to bring park visitors for recreation into nature center & participating in programs – Provide an Activity Card
• NCSL QR Code Scavenger Hunt – Come in for a prize
• Child level exhibits at trail stops
• Geocaching, water bottle decals, Pokémon Go
• Partner with schools
• “Don’t put more than one thing on my plate.”
• Provide enticements