January 6, 2023 and Friday morning and I am ‘Housebound’ after just dropping my car off for service.  My first task is working on figuring out What my next Photo of the Week article will be? 

Perusing through my Email Travel Log files, I begin looking through my Open Space Messages folder and I come across a message sent back in 2012, introducing a new Open Space Outreach Program I had created involving Flickr, a site to show photos, movie clips and post articles. Reading the article, I realize this might be an interesting review, if you will, showcasing some of the methods used over the years in getting the word out about Open Space through Allamuchy Township’s Open Space Program, more specifically, the Allamuchy Township Open Space Outreach Program. 

While I realize, you are familiar with my postings on insidewarren.com Photo of the Week every Monday for the last 4 years, this might be an interesting article to share with you with some other methods we have used to get ‘THE WORD OUT’ about Open Space over the years. When I refer to years, it has been 20 years, since 2002, when the position of Director Open Space was created at Allamuchy Township. It is my hope, this article will give some ideas and information about ‘OUTREACH’ and maybe even encourage you to come up with your own ‘NEW’ ways to get out your stories and information! Yes, have my next Photo of the Week article!

OBSERVATION

**Ladies and Gentlemen, I belong to many groups and organizations that is referred to as NETWORKING, all of which offer great projects and programs! Ask any of them, they will tell you, having great projects and programs is only half the challenge – The OTHER HALF – The Public needs to know WHERE, WHEN, & HOW TO ACCESS them! That is accomplished by OUTREACH!!!***

TYPES OF OUTREACH used by Allamuchy Township Open Space Program:

Websites –  Allamuchy Township website – https://allamuchynj.org/

Facebook –  Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Charles A Fineran Jr.

Email – openspace@allamuchynj.org – cafjr@comcast.net. Note: we have a bank of about 1,000 email messages written over the years about Open Space, Historical Sites, Wildlife and Events

Information Table at Allamuchy Town Hall (See above photo) – many brochures from throughout our region concerning Parks, Open Space, History Sites, Wildlife etc. mounted wall TV screen for display of photos.  Many Wildlife Pictures and Maps displayed at Town Hall 

Flickr Site – Photos & Videos of Wildlife, Plants, Natural Sites and Parks, Historic Sites and Events.  Site created 2011 now has 21,928 photos and videos in 397 albums – Charlie Fineran’s albums | Flickr

Township Signage – Welcome to Allamuchy along roadway by Townships border and on off ramps to I 80 also signage Identifying local sites, such as Allamuchy Nature Trail (see above photo) and Playground and two large metal signs at Freight Depot and Rutherfurd Hall showcasing and informing about their respective National and State Historic Site designations (See above photos)

Allamuchy Township Open Space Display Tent/Tables – set up at various events and sites showcasing Open Space photos and brochures – pre Covid we averaged 27 public displays per year  (SEE Above photo)

Provide lectures and presentations as requested for various groups.  Example – annual presentation at Allamuchy Elementary School’s Summer Camp Program   (See above photo)

Networking – actively involved with over 20 organizations and groups planning for, protecting, preserving and promoting Open Space Lands and activities

The following is the email message referred to above about sent in 2012 introducing Flickr as a new Outreach Program.  NOTE:  I had back in 2012 150,000 photos on file – today I have over 340,000 photos on file in my computer which I can refer to as a resource!

MODUS OPERANDI – copied and pasted from an email dated 2012

Hi Everyone:

Another week and we are into March!!  No, we are not out of the woods yet!!  BUT, at least we now know we are approaching the forest’s edge, hang in there!

Usually I am sending you email messages with many photos, describing events or sites to visit. I will still continue using my email messages as a way of keeping you updated!  Today’s message is to tell you about another outreach project I am beginning to try out and use.  This is actually not a new program, just new to me.  When it comes to computers, it takes me a while to catch on, BUT, Better late than never! 

I came across this idea while visiting the web site of the Musconetcong Watershed Association.  In their site I noticed “LINKS” which I activated and then saw that a member had a Flickr account and was showing his photos.  The Flickr account asked if the viewer wanted to add some photos and I signed up.

I began to get the idea that I could set up my own account and manage my photos in collections and sets.  I started to upload photos from different albums on my computer and before I knew it, I actually had a pretty nice collection.  The nice thing with this concept, once you put a photo on the site, people have 24/7 access from any computer and I have set this up that there is no sign in, just get in and look around. 

One other feature I am working on is to make connections with various groups and organizations and then have them add me as a link.  That costs them no money, their website space is not affected because I am paying $24.00 a year for this program.  I can then set up a collection under their name and put in my photos of their sites or projects.  This is a win, win, win situation.  I can help a group or organization by showing my photos of their site,  I get credit for Open Space Outreach and get a new ever increasing audience of viewers and the visiting viewers can see all these other groups on my site and then go directly into them from my site. 

The address directly into my Flickr site is:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran. You can also just google  ‘ charlie fineran flickr ‘  and that also gets you into my site but I am not sure if that requests you sign in or gives you all the mobility of the other entry.  I also made connections through my Facebook account where I also have posted some photos!

My site will be dynamic and will always have new places to see and visit along with maintaining the sites already there.  With about 150,000 photos I don’t think I will be struggling to look for places to show on this site!

Hope you enjoy and hope this helps you Enjoy Your Open Space

Charlie Fineran

Director of Open Space

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission

Allamuchy Historical Society – President

As mentioned above, I hope you find Allamuchy Township’s Open Space Outreach Program interesting AND I hope it may give you ideas on how to promote your own programs and activities.

Enjoy Your Open Space  

Charlie Fineran   

Director Open Space    

Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman  

Allamuchy Historical Society – President