The third annual PlayCleanGo Awareness Week was June 5-12, 2021 across North America. The goal of the campaign is to show outdoor enthusiasts how they can stop invasive plants and pests from spreading — while enjoying the great outdoors.
Major thank you to every person, partner organization, social media manager, and friend who participated in PlayCleanGo Awareness Week 2021.
Numbers are finally in, and we’re excited to share the highlights!
PlayCleanGo Awareness Week by the Numbers
and PlayCleanGo’s own social media channels earned 50,000 impressions
with a total campaign reach of
in states and provinces all across Canada, the United States, and Mexico
Mexico joined for the first time this year. We are really proud of that.
Ever since NAISMA signed an agreement with Comisión Nacional Para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad (CONABIO) in México, PlayCleanGo has gone full-steam ahead with translating:
- Spanish-language invasive species outreach materials. Outreach professionals can grab a Spanish poster and sign from the free PlayCleanGo Graphic Library on NAISMA.org. We have more great Spanish material to come, if you become a NAISMA partner.
- Spanish-language PlayCleanGo boot brush stations and sign panels for sale in the NAISMA store.
- Spanish-language social media posts and graphics in the Awareness Week toolkit.
PlayCleanGo Awareness Week in the Media
Our very own PlayCleanGo Program Manager Krista Lutzke appeared on national media outlets this year including the U.S. Department of Agriculture Radio, and Celtic, Inc.’s Over a Pint podcast.
Also, what lover of outdoor recreation WOULDN’T be stoked to see PlayCleanGo Awareness Week previewed on Outside Business Journal?! Classic!
What You Shared During PlayCleanGo Awareness Week
One of the best assets of the PlayCleanGo program is you. Social media that shows simple behaviors such as brushing boots and cleaning boats encourages your friends to join the fun!
Here are some examples from across social media.
We love that message of making PlayCleanGo Awareness Week last all year.
Heading north to Nova Scotia, here’s a peek in the laundry of Ken Donnelly. Way to “look spiffy!”
Tossing my #playcleango hat into the washer. Have to look spiffy for #playcleangoweek @NAISMAorg @CanadaInvasives @nsinvasives1 pic.twitter.com/BraILcFlbC
— Beyond Attitude Consulting (@BeyondAttitude) June 6, 2021
Thanks Erika for doing your part on your trail running adventures and making the time to post about it on Strava and Twitter!
Some runners pick up trash, I pull weeds! Celebrating #PlayCleanGoWeek Stop #InvasiveSpecies #PlayCleanGo #TrailRunners #Runchat #runner #running #WYResponsibly #ThatsWY #Houndstongue pic.twitter.com/T3UEHvTuB8
— Erika (@EwEdmiston) June 9, 2021
Lesley wins the award for “most scenic” shot:
Finally, it wasn’t just individuals who promoted #PlayCleanGoWeek. We were proud to see invasive species prevention posts by some high-profile parks and trail groups including the National Park Service, Partnership for the National Trails System, the Appalachian Trails Conservancy, and the USDA Forest Service’s Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
545 of 1,300 US threatened or endangered species are at risk because of invasive species. You can help by making #PlayCleanGo part of your adventures by cleaning your gear and ride before you go! Get PlayCleanGo facts and tips here: https://t.co/OiZym7Wg3N @PlayCleanGo
— PNTS (@PartnershipNTS) June 7, 2021
It's @PlayCleanGo Awareness Week! Learn how you can help stop the spread of invasive species on your next outdoor adventure at https://t.co/cE0ETFQvst #PlayCleanGoWeek pic.twitter.com/oqYomdkQN0
— A.T. Conservancy (@AT_Conservancy) June 10, 2021
Want to see more partner organizations’ posts? Check out this blog post at our parent organization, NAISMA.org.
Thanks and See You Next Year!
One more thank you to PlayCleanGo Awareness Week’s other two prevention partner organizations, Don’t Move Firewood and Hungry Pests.
And most of all, thank YOU to everyone who participated.
We’ll see you next year for PlayCleanGo Awareness Week June 4-11, 2022!
113 new people signed the PlayCleanGo pledge during PlayCleanGo Awareness Week.
When you take the PlayCleanGo pledge, you help outdoor spaces AND support their land and water stewards’ efforts to stop the spread of invasive species. Plus, we’ll send you more tips and tricks on preventing invasive species in the places you love.
Don’t wait until next summer to make your commitment. Sign the pledge today!
