Communication Audit: Oakridge Air
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Date
2023-05
Authors
Smith, Hollie
Shafer, Autumn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Center for Science Communication Research, School of Journalism and Communication, University of Oregon
Abstract
Oakridge Air serves the communities of Oakridge and Westfir and promotes healthy air quality
through individual and community resources. Oakridge Air, which is funded by the
Environmental Protection Agency, has five program areas: home heating upgrades, community
firewood, school education, cleaner indoor air, and code enforcement. Oakridge Air uses
several communication strategies to engage community members in these programs. This audit
provides an overview of Oakridge Air’s communication engagement and messaging strategy,
focusing on messaging from 2021-2022, to provide strategic communication recommendations
for future work. This audit focuses primarily on the Oakridge Air Communication Plan and
messaging templates, community newsletters, text messaging service, Oakridge Air’s Facebook
page, and Oakridge Air’s website. The newsletters and text messaging service have been
essential and valued communication tools with substantial engagement growth spurred by
major wildfire smoke events in 2022. The Facebook page and website are likely one of the first
channels community members use to begin engaging with Oakridge Air. The communication
plan and messaging templates provide internal guidance for message design and delivery. Given
the increased engagement with Oakridge Air, there is an opportunity to leverage the positive
experience and community-supported impact of these communication efforts to motivate
more understanding of air quality and wildfire smoke effects along with short and long-term
actions to mitigate risk and impacts.
Description
23 pages
Keywords
Oakridge, Oregon, Wildfire smoke effects, Risk managment, Oakridge Air