Environmental advisory council finalizes outreach trifold, plans hikes and community events

The Smithfield Township Environmental Advisory Council agreed to move forward with a concise outreach trifold and a calendar of recurring events intended to increase community participation.

The council said the brochure will emphasize who the council is, a short mission blurb, and a clear call-to-action (volunteer sign-ups, event schedules and a contact phone number). Members endorsed listing annual recurring events — including four educational hikes per year — and using QR codes that link to up-to-date event pages so printed copies do not become obsolete.

Alex, who will coordinate materials and distribution, said he will circulate a single assembled draft to the team for edits and formatting. He told the council he will "send that to you" so members can workshop copy and imagery before the next meeting.

Members discussed content priorities for the trifold, recommending simple, high-impact takeaways: the council’s mission, how to get involved, and the township’s ecological highlights (local waterways, the Appalachian Trail corridor and wildlife such as nesting raptors and amphibian crossings). Several members suggested a separate historical brochure could follow later.

The council agreed to include a phone number on the printed piece for older residents and others who do not use QR codes, and to avoid printing dates for single events. Volunteers will finalize photos and a short mission statement; the group aims to have a draft ready for review at the next meeting.

Next steps: staff and volunteers will consolidate copy and images, prepare a draft in a shareable layout, and circulate it to council members for final edits before printing and distribution.