Visitor and Community Engagement: Connect & Inspire – 2026 

Target Audience: 

Visitor Services, Project Leaders, Planners, Communications Staff, Ecological Services, Collateral Duty Visitor Services Staff, Fisheries, Hatcheries, Community Outreach Staff.

Summary and Objectives: 

This course focuses on developing skills and strategies to effectively engage with visitors and the broader community. Participants will learn how to create meaningful connections, foster positive relationships, and enhance the visitor and community experience through interactive methods. The course emphasizes practical techniques for communicating conservation messages, engaging non-traditional audiences, and promoting stewardship.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Effectively reach out to, and communicate with, communities regarding the USFWS and natural resource conservation, using current best practices and state of the art tools and techniques.
• Build a lasting network of USFWS professionals engaged in shared learning and networking on the latest communication, outreach and visitor services practices.
• Discover and practice engagement strategies to build community connections and promote stewardship with a variety of audiences.
• Explore a suite of tools you can use to leverage current trends in communications, outreach and visitor services.

Competency Addressed:  

Creativity and Innovation - Basic; Critical Thinking - Basic; Planning and Evaluating - Basic; Public Planning – Basic; Communication approaches – Basic; Interpersonal Skills – Intermediate; Partnering - Basic