State Wildlife Action Plans

Coalition Outreach Guidance & Examples

We inherit a wealth of experience from the first generation of Teaming with Wildlife  and our partners have much to contribute as well. This section provides advice and examples to help you strategically revive and expand your coalition. It also shares advice from a series of opinion polls for effectively communicating about the state wildlife action plans.

Learning From Our Successes

• Successful TWW Coalitions - Case studies from 11 of the largest and most effective Teaming with Wildlife Coalitions.
• Step-by-Step Guide to Building Your Coalition - A comprehensive guide, developed from these case studies and the advice of many others.
• 2007 Teaming with Wildlife Campaign Plan - Building on the success of our 2006 Campaign Plan, the 2007 plan outlines specific state and national goals for the coalition.
• TWW Coalition Scrapbook - A look at some creative materials from the first generation of Teaming with Wildlife.
• Share the Wealth! - A place to share successful examples as the next generation of Teaming with Wildlife takes flight. Send your materials to mcook@fishwildlife.org.

Finding Coalition Members

• Ideas for Growing Your Coalition - An essential tool, this list of lists provides directory links for over 100 different kinds of groups that could strengthen your coalition.
• Conservation Directory - Previously expensive in print, National Wildlife Federation's comprehensive listing of conservation groups is now FREE online!
• 10 Ways to Build Your Coalition on a Shoestring Budget - Don't think you have time to build a coalition? It doesn't have to be a daunting challenge, just try these quick and easy approaches gleaned from successful coalitions around the nation!
• TWW Coalition Lists - Various perspectives on the more than 5,000 members of Teaming with Wildlife.
• CARA Coalition List - Over 5,000 groups from the combined lists of Teaming with Wildlife and other CARA supporters - many of whom will gladly endorse TWW today.

Messaging and Media Guidance

• Wildlife Action Plans Polling Presentation - Highlights of key messages developed from our public opinion polls on the state wildlife action plans, updated to include new advice for communicating to "wildlife advocates."
• Message Triangle - A single page guide to our most effective messages.
• Updated Wildlife Action Plans Polling Memo - This memo provides updated guidelines for communicating about the wildlife action plans.
• Wildlife Action Plans Message Kit - The original message kit. Please note: You'll find updated versions of some content here and under "Media Tools & Templates."
• Teaming with Wildlife Communications and Press Plan - Outlines the strategies and messages we plan to use in national and state level media outreach over the next year.
• Launching the Public Education Campaign - A guide to communicating through your coalition in the context of a "week of action" - also useful as a beginner's guide to media outreach.
• Campaign Media Outreach - A guide to maximizing the effectiveness of your campaign's media resources.
• Communicating Beyond the Basics - More tips and tricks for getting covered in print, broadcast and electronic media.

Organizing Coalition Outreach Events

• Hosting a Wildlife Summit - One goal of the 2007 Campaign Plan is to host a "wildlife summit" in every state. This page of advice and examples has everything you need to host an event that will galvanize partners in support of action plan implementation and your funding efforts.
• Organizing Field Trips - Field trips are an essential tool for your coalition to build support among elected officials and/or the media. This page is full of templates for hosting a successful trip.
• 2007 Conferences - Consider hosting your wildlife summit or teaming-related events in conjunction with a conservation-related conference in your area. This list highlights dozens of events where we'd love to have Teaming with Wildlife represented and many of these may have state-level equivalents as well.

Other Resources

• Tip Sheet: Finding Volunteers to Build Your Coalition - Many states have used volunteers for projects, but they're also critical tool for coalition building. This tip sheet lists 10 places to find volunteers and 10 ideas for getting them engaged.
• Membership Presentation - A presentation on getting individual members of your member organizations engaged.
• November 2005 Coalition/Communications Training Workbook - A useful exercise to help get your coalition off the ground. This workbook parallels the "Step-by-Step Guide" with activities to help get your coalition building plans onto paper.
• For Further Reading - A resource guide listing additional sites, books and presentations on building coalitions and communicating about wildlife.