April 18, 2019

MDIFW NEWS: MDIFW Communicator Honored For Work Promoting Department

AUGUSTA, Maine -- Emily MacCabe, the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife media and graphics supervisor, was honored by the Northeast Conservation Information and Education Association earlier this week as the Information and Educational Professional of the Year.

"Emily's work in directing the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife's communications and digital media campaigns is exceptional, and now more people than ever before are connecting with the department and the Maine outdoors," said MDIFW Commissioner Judy Camuso, "This award is very well deserved as she is a proven leader and pioneer in the natural resource communications field."

MacCabe's work on the MDIFW "Keeper of the Maine Outdoors" campaign was lauded for its success in attracting and informing new people about the Department. The campaign was designed to promote the Department's mission, programs and projects, and inform the general public about the Department and raise awareness of Department programs. In a period of 180 days, the campaign reached more than 475,000 unique individuals on social media, increased subscription to the MDIFW Newsletter by nearly 17,000 individuals and gained nearly 4,000 new page likes on Facebook and 9,000 new followers on Instagram.

Along with overseeing and implementing the Keeper campaign, Emily oversaw the development and implementation of an agency Brand guide, as well as managing the redesign and launch of a new Department website.

"Emily's energy and oversight were essential to the success of these projects which introduced a new audience to our department and programs," said Camuso.

The award was presented to MacCabe at the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies (NEAFWA) annual conference in New London, Connecticut. NEAFWA is comprised of over 20 states and Provinces, stretching from Atlantic Canada to Virginia. The award is given annually to a fish and wildlife information and education professional who has achieved excellence in public outreach, communication, and education.

The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries of Wildlife (MDIFW) preserves, protects, and enhances the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the state. Established in 1880 to protect big game populations, MDIFW has since evolved in scope to include protection and management of fish, non-game wildlife, and habitats, as well as restoration of endangered species like the bald eagle. In addition to its conservation duties, MDIFW is also responsible for enabling and promoting the safe enjoyment of Maines outdoors - from whitewater rafting to boating, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation. The agencys constituents include the fish, wildlife, and people who call Maine home, as well as the visiting outdoor enthusiasts and ecotourists who call Maine Vacationland and contribute hundreds of millions of dollars each year to the states economy.

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