News : Campaign Updates
National-Local Synergy is the Key for Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!
December 21, 2006 -- Today, a wide variety of boat-landing signage exists – in addition to that furnished by the WDNR. These customized signs are demonstrations of the fact that towns and/or lake organizations who regard signage as important have, in many cases, installed signs they believe to be of a good design and of which they are justifiably proud – but why another sign?
The enormity of the AIS threat has evoked a compelling need to develop a public awareness and education campaign as a front-line component of a defensive strategy. Signage is one of the key tactics that can be used in the implementation of this strategy.
The intent of the Town of Plum Lake (TPL) Signage Initiative is to integrate TPL signage with the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM campaign (www.protectyourwaters.net) and literature used throughout our nation – certainly in the handouts used by Wisconsin's Clean Boats-Clean Waters (CBCW) volunteers. The TPL initiative is also aimed at improving the message and location of boat-landing signage -- directing attention to the WDNR's information bearing signage, especially important at boat-ramp sites where CBCW volunteers are not able to be present. The signage is not meant to replace signage placed by the WDNR or lake organizations. Simply stated, the signs are to be used to supplement existing signage as we are now doing at TPL boat landings.
Given unlimited resources, CBCW volunteers and/or hired hands could mount a 24/7 inspection and education routine at the front lines, i.e., at all boat-launching areas. However, human and financial resources are indeed limited. Experience indicates it would be nearly impossible to recruit and field even a small fraction of the number of CBCW volunteers requisite to boat inspections at our high-use boat landings on a sustainable basis, let alone at our many lower-use but still AIS vulnerable lakes of which some are quite remote and unpopulated. Recruitment limitations and burn out are major problems!
It would appear that properly worded and sited signage is today's best, low-cost, 24/7 'rain-or-shine' substitute for CBCW volunteers at boat-ramp sites when volunteers are simply not available on a sustainable basis at high-use sites, or, are not available to work remote sites under any circumstance. Properly worded is meant to mean an unequivocal, attention-getting, easy-to-read-at-a glance "It's the Law" message to boat-ramp users BEFORE launching. The Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM logo and text on the TPL sign-graphic shown in the accompanying PDF were 'designed' to meet this need.
Recommended best practice would have it 'linked' to the WDNR's explanatory green-on-white "HELP" and black-on-yellow "EXOTIC SPECIES ADVISORY" signs by placing it above the WDNR signs on a standalone post sited in close proximity to the boat ramp – preferably on the driver's side as shown in the illustration. If circumstances dictate placing the WDNR "HELP" or "EXOTIC SPECIES ADVISORY" signage at the WDNR's kiosk, the attention-calling Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM sign should be placed to the left of these information-bearing WDNR signs.
Additionally, replicas of the signage are well suited to a wide range of applications as an AIS awareness and educational mechanism – linking to the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM logo and message contained in CBCW handouts. Poster-like sign replicas and CBCW handouts can be made available at marinas, marine sales centers, bait shops, sporting goods stores, resorts, and other business establishments frequented by lake users. Display of a larger, poster-type sign along the access road to high-use launching areas is also contemplated. Much larger, billboard-type signs suitable or use along county and state highways and would be the next logical step.
Branding benefits come with the use of an unequivocal and uniform CBCW AIS message with high-visual-impact signage that incorporates the internationally recognized Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM campaign logo. Branding is a very powerful process that combines imagery with words to simply, succinctly represent ideas, values, products, relationships or companies. The campaign borrows heavily from commercial marketing by translating and simplifying the very complex aquatic invasive species issue into a simple, relevant message of awareness and empowerment for recreational users to conserve and protect our aquatic resources through the promotion of cleaning behaviors. Part of what the campaign does is to establish and build upon brand recognition.
By attracting 46 of the 50 States to participate in the campaign and use the materials, the campaign has been able to leverage considerable communication capabilities and get the natural resource agencies to speak with one voice about this complex issue. This means that if you are a Wisconsin resident and you go to boat in either Michigan or Minnesota, chances are you will see the Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers!TM stop sign and this will hopefully trigger a memory in you to clean your equipment.
The achievement of these benefits would appear to be a worthy goal for the state of Wisconsin. The recent endorsement of the TPL signage initiative by the Vilas County Lakes Association could very well be the first step in this direction – prompting the WDNR to give thoughtful consideration to the addition of this, or similar signage, to their arsenal of signs recommended for use at boat landings throughout the state. Please download the attached PDF to see the results of The Plum Lake Signage Initiative.
Related Download: TPL Sign Initiative.pdf
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