Home and property owners may be slow to accept the selective herbicides and application methods associated with integrated vegetation management (IVM). Here are basic public relations tactics you can use to help educate the public on the environmental and economic benefits of IVM.
Reduced carbon emissions, expanded pollinator and wildlife habitat, increased native vegetation populations, reduced labor, equipment and fuel requirements – the environmental and economic benefits of an integrated vegetation management (IVM) program are well-researched, well-documented and well-known to vegetation management professionals.
But acknowledging those benefits within the industry and having them accepted by the public are two different things. A public more accustomed to seeing the word “herbicides” as part of a headline may be uneasy at the prospect of applications being made near or next to homes, shopping centers or other populated areas. So how can vegetation managers and their employers begin to shift opinions? By embracing opportunities to educate the public on the value of selective herbicides and selective application methods as part of an IVM program.
If you have the chance to speak with a resident or homeowner, remember that you’re not the vegetation manager … you’re the face of your utility or DOT, and the person you’re speaking with is looking to you for answers about what you’re doing and why. Use the opportunity to educate concerned citizens, and to offer a friendly, knowledgeable and understanding ear.
As the VM expert within your organization, you’re in a unique position to help “spread the word” about IVM and the benefits it offers, even when you’re not in the field. How?
Alongside the numerous environmental and economic benefits IVM offers, a sound IVM program can help polish your employer’s reputation as a concerned, responsible member of the community it serves. Whether one-on-one, through the media, or at industry events, take every opportunity to deliver that message, and work with the communications professionals within your organization to create opportunities when and where it’s appropriate to do so.
Looking for information you can use to help promote the benefits of IVM? Need to help bring new employees up to speed on application safety or landowner communications? Visit VegetationMgmt.com for IVM success stories, digital training modules and more.
For over 30 years, Vistas® has covered strategies, trends and stories from across the Vegetation Management industry.
