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(25) Ohio’s “Call Before You Cut Campaign”
David Apsley, Ohio State University Extension, Piketon, OH; Andy Ware, Ohio Division of Forestry, Columbus, OH
Concurrent Session: B1: Marketing and Delivery of Programs
Approximately three percent of Ohio's 400,000 woodland owners had written forest management plans in 2005 and only about seven percent indicated that they planned to harvest timber, yet 26% of them harvested timber in the previous 5 years. Consequently most timber harvests in Ohio occur with little advanced planning, often due to unforeseen financial situations. These poorly planned harvests are frequently detrimental to forest sustainability, soil and water resources, and the financial interests of the owner.
In 2006 the Ohio Division of Forestry, Ohio State University Extension, and Rural Action Sustainable Forestry (with support from six partnering organizations) launched "Call Before You Cut". This state-wide, natural resources and consumer protection campaign was designed to provide easily accessible information to help woodland owners make informed decisions about the management of their forest resources.
"Call Before You Cut" utilizes a variety strategies to reach woodland owners including: a toll free number with a live operator, a web-page (callb4ucut.com), radio advertisements, bill boards, posters, information packets and educational events. This project features a top-ten list of reasons to "Call Before You Cut". The main goals of the program are to encourage woodland owners utilize a professional forester to assist them with management planning and timber harvests, and to suggest that they hire Certified Master Loggers to conduct their timber harvests.
Since its inception the campaign has received extensive media coverage at the local, state and national levels. During the first ten months, 607 woodland owners (who control nearly 21,000 acres) have called the toll-free number to request information about harvesting timber. An additional 250 people visit the web site monthly.
The authors will share successes and failures, funding sources, program organization, marketing strategies, program details, as well as, plans for collaboration with other states.
David Apsley
Ohio State University Extension
1864 Shyville Road
Piketon, OH, 45661, USA
Phone: 740-289-2071 ext. 127
Fax: 740-289-4591
E-mail: apsley.1@osu.edu