For immediate release

Forest stewardship campaign “Sparks” regional recognition
Washington NRCS lands prestigious marketing communications awards
 

SPOKANE, Wash. (April 28, 2009) – Normally, a spark and a forest could spell trouble. But this year, a forest stewardship campaign and several “Sparks” spelled “Congratulations!” for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Washington.

The NRCS outreach and education campaign titled “Keeping Your Forest Healthy,” recently received seven prestigious Spark Awards from the Spokane Regional Marketing Communications Association – including two of the three Brightest Spark Awards presented. Only the top three point winners out of all submissions received Brightest Spark Awards.

The agency landed two additional awards in news and feature writing for projects not associated with the forestry campaign – bringing the NRCS award total to nine.

Regional professionals submitted more than 130 entries ranging from publications and feature stories, to web site designs and media relations campaigns as part of the competition. Spark Awards recognize excellence in communications tactics and strategic marketing communications and outreach campaigns that incorporate sound research, planning, execution and evaluation. They must meet the highest standards of performance in the profession.

This year, the award entries were sent to the Capital City Communicators organization in Boise, Idaho to be judged. NRCS’ “Keeping Your Forest Healthy” campaign was recognized for its outstanding marketing communications work in the following categories:
• External Marketing Campaign (Brightest Spark Award, Award of Excellence)
• Special publications (Brightest Spark Award, Award of Excellence)
• Brochure (Award of Excellence)
• Displays (Award of Merit)
• Radio spot (Award of Merit)

“Every day NRCS employees, working with Washington’s private landowners, are engaged in some of the best conservation work in the world,” NRCS Public Affairs Officer Ron Nichols said. “I’m delighted our marketing communications efforts to support that conservation work, and to help landowners make more informed stewardship decisions, have been recognized for contributing to those important endeavors,” Nichols said.
 

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