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<br />trees, water, pollinators and animals. Custom signage created by Ramsey can add to these signs and can build <br />off of the key terms information from the website. By tying these two educational tools together it can help <br />create a cohesive story of natural resources in the city. <br />Engaging the community in an interactive activity that is used for <br />public good can be a powerful tool of communication. A case study in <br />Figure 4. Chalkboard Activity <br />Argentina (Balestrini, et.al, 2014) used video recording to determine how <br />heritage preservation was important to the community. Members of the <br />community were asked to create a short video explaining what was important <br />to them so that it could be preserved. We suggest taking a similar approach to <br />natural resources in Ramsey. The EPB can interact with the community by <br />using a chalkboard (Figure 4) to create simple text or pictures of important <br />resources. In order to collect data outside of regular city meetings, city staff <br />and the EPB can go to public functions and ask the community to write, for <br />example, which natural resources are important to them and why. The <br />answers given on the chalkboard will be summarized and presented at EPB <br />and planning meetings as a way to center focus on the voices of residents. <br />Integrating community input into something that will actually be used is an <br />important step in engagement. This can foster future discussions and build an <br />engaged and active community looking to learn more about how they can <br />improve and protect the environment in their city (Appendix A). <br />Education is important in helping solve the concern Ramsey has to <br />Image courtesy of Liz Scherber <br />create innovative strategies to best communicate the value of natural <br />resources. The community cares about its environment and wants to find <br />new ways to communicate that back to city leaders and developers. Historically, EPB meetings and other <br />g heard. This <br />strategic action can help overcome that through creative techniques to both deliver and gather information and <br />suggestions. <br /> <br />C. Create Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet for Developers <br />The third strategic action we propose is the implementation of a frequently asked questions (FAQ) <br />ess some <br />important regulations and have a better understanding of the development process in their community. <br />This web page will also act as a signal that the City is both prepared to welcome development proposals, <br />and prepared to communicate effectively with developers and residents. The FAQ could easily incorporate links <br />to city regulations and other resources, like the EPB or various community groups. An example of this is the <br /> questions and answers, identified <br />by city staff, that may be useful for inquisitive developers are: <br />Why do I have to do a tree inventory? What trees need to be included? <br />We have a definition in City Code that specifies what a Significant Tree is considered, and those <br />must be included in the inventory. <br />We do allow an exemption for trees clearly outside the limits of construction. <br />13 <br /> <br />