APHIS Stakeholder Communications and Engagement Jake Hegeman National

APHIS Stakeholder Communications and Engagement Jake Hegeman National State Liaison Legislative and Public Affairs

About LPA Our Mission To provide leadership, expertise, and counsel in developing creative, high-quality, and timely communications strategies, products, and services that promote APHIS’ mission of protecting the health and value of American agricultural and natural resources. What We Do • • Government Affairs Public Affairs Executive Communications FOIA

Hungry Pests Website • • www. aphis. usda. gov/hungrypests 50 State Scope Customizable pages Social Media capability

Risk communication Training • What is it? ▫ “A science-based approach for communicating effectively in: high concern, emotionally charged, or controversial situations. ” • APHIS LPA offers several trainings a year.

Case Study: Firewood Corporate Outreach and Engagement • Problem: The public is moving untreated firewood. • Outreach Goal: Raise public awareness about best practices and encourage retailers to promote this message to customers as well as procure treated wood. • Process: PPQ EDP and LPA staff are building a relationship with a national retail trade group to educate members about the issue.

Firewood Corporate Outreach and Engagement • Successes- Interest from Big Box retailers in providing outreach to customers and in procuring compliant wood • Challenge- Outdoor product retailers thought the message was “too complex” to communicate in catalogs, websites, etc.

Online Firewood Share Site • Available to everyone here • COSDA is already using • Allows sharing and download of. pdfs and other forest pest/firewood outreach documents • Email me: jacob. hegeman@aphis. usda. gov for log in information

From PPQ’s Strategic Plan • Overarching Goal 1: Strengthen Outreach: Conduct outreach and education to increase the exchange with the public and stakeholders to enhance their understanding, acceptance, and support of PPQ’s mission while taking into account their input and feedback into the plans and actions that the agency pursues.

From PPQ’s Strategic Plan: • Overarching Goal 2: Strengthen Partnerships: Expand build partnerships and coalitions with PPQ’s traditional & non-traditional Local, State, Tribal, Federal and international stakeholders and partners in carrying out the PPQ mission.