Susan Ives Communications | Strategic Communications for Social Change

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We published a long-range plan and a series of brochures and newsletters targeted to key audiences, and provided research, writing, and copyediting.

Bay Nature Magazine

The publishers of Bay Nature magazine envisioned a Web site featuring local parks, wildlife, hikes, and events throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Susan Ives Communications provided research and recommendations for a fundraising campaign to launch the new Web site.

Brower Youth Awards

The Brower Youth Awards part of Earth Island Institute, sought greater national recognition for its environmental award named for renowned environmentalist David Brower, and the young activists it honors. Susan Ives Communications conducted outreach to national and local media, targeting web-based and youth-oriented publications. The Brower Youth Award ceremony attracted a capacity crowd and the award winners received unprecedented press coverage.

"Susan brings a wonderful combination of experience and enthusiasm to her work. She used new media tools and good old-fashioned persistence to deliver our best and most diverse media coverage yet.”

Mikhail Davis, Director, Brower Youth Awards

Council of Elders

Fisheries and wildlife biologists asked Susan Ives Communications for help publishing a report for the Obama Administration seeking to reform failed policies and federal agencies that have reduced salmon runs on the Columbia River to endangered levels.

Defense of Place

Defense of Place collaborates with citizen activists nationwide to defend public lands, parks, nature preserves, wildlife refuges, and protected open spaces from sale and development. Defense of place sought advice, writing, and design services for a fundraising case statement to match a challenge grant.

Earth Island Institute

“Susan has been a key player in the Bay Area environmental advocacy and conservation scene for a very long time. She knows all the issues, and she knows all the people, and she's a very effective communicator bringing messages to the general public as well as more specialized audiences. She's been a great asset to our campaigns.”

John A. Knox, President, Earth Island Institute

Friends of the Eel River

We prepared a strategic communications plan and messaging strategy with a goal to decommission obsolete dams blocking salmon spawning grounds. We conducted media outreach about the river and its endangered Coho salmon; prepared talking points and coached organization spokespersons; produced a membership brochure and donor case statement, and hosted donor cultivation events.

Freedom to Roam

Freedom to Roam is a coalition businesses, governments and conservation groups raising awareness about the need to conserve essential wildlife corridors so animals can continue to roam. Susan Ives Communications provided messaging and editorial services for FTR’s Web site and public presentations.

Golden Gate National Parks

The Golden Gate National Parks is a leader in philanthropy and volunteerism. Susan Ives Communications wrote and published “Taking Our Parks to Heart” a magazine showcasing the ways people contribute to the park—from major donors supporting capital improvements to teens restoring wildlife habitats. The magazine is a touchstone for parks and nonprofits seeking greater community participation and donor support.

Grand Canyon Trust

Green Belt Movement

Susan Ives Communications worked with founder Professor Wangari Maathai to establish the Green Belt Movement International, a women-led tree planting movement with roots in Kenya. We developed the Green Belt Movement’s media outreach, brochure, and fundraising case statement.

GreenpeaceUSA

Susan Ives Communications conducted a communications audit and market research to help frame Greenpeace’s global warming campaign for maximum impact. We further advised the communications team on positioning Greenpeace to grow and build loyalty among its audiences.

International Crane Foundation

International Rivers Network

Marin Agricultural Land Trust

Marin Audubon

Marin County Department of Parks and Open Space

Susan Ives Communications developed the department’s graphic identity and published a quarterly newsletter on the activities, trails, and natural features of the county’s parks and public lands.

Massachusetts Environmental Trust

Susan Ives worked with elected officials, attorneys, scientists, and community leaders to establish the Trust, initially funded by a Clean Water Act lawsuit over Boston Harbor. To promote the Trust’s programs, we conducted media outreach and targeted legal, philanthropic, and environmental communities statewide. Since 1988, the Trust has disbursed 650 grants totaling more than $17 million for projects protecting and enhancing the state's water resources and is a model for funding environmental restoration.

Mono Lake Committee

Project Kaisei

Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory

This 80-year-old scientific field station high in the Colorado Rockies has amassed vital data on the impacts of climate change. The Lab asked Susan Ives Communications to conduct a communications audit and develop ways for the Lab to communicate its technical work for non-scientific audiences. We developed a communications plan and created a Web site www.rockymountainbiolab.org, a donor case statement, and membership brochure.

Salmon Protection and Watershed Network (SPAWN)

Through restoration, research, and outreach, SPAWN protects the Lagunitas watershed, where some of the last Coho in Northern California still spawn. When SPAWN’s advocacy to protect the watershed met opposition from local property owners, Susan Ives Communications helped devise a messaging strategy to build broad support for SPAWN’s efforts.

San Francisco Baykeeper

The Baykeeper is the leading watchdog protecting San Francisco Bay, fighting polluters and pressing for stronger laws and enforcement. Susan Ives Communications produced an annual benefit, which featured environmental leader Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and activist Erin Brockovich as keynote speakers. More than 500 guests attended the event, which was co-hosted by the Waterkeeper Alliance.

Save Bohemian Grove

This coalition of conservation groups headed by Sierra Club, filed a lawsuit contesting the state’s approval of a controversial logging permit for the Bohemian Grove, a forested retreat for the wealthy and well connected. The suit drew national attention, including an article in Vanity Fair. Susan Ives Communications garnered extensive media coverage for the successful lawsuit.

Featured Client

Sonoma Land Trust

Susan Ives Communications prepared a fundraising case statement for the Baylands Campaign to raise $23 million to purchase and restore thousands of acres of wetlands around San Francisco Bay. We also produced fundraising events, a flagship brochure describing the land trust’s mission and accomplishments, and annual reports.

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Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation & Open Space District

We helped developed the District’s messaging and outreach strategy to build broad support for its conservation work. We produced targeted materials including a brochure describing the District’s mission and achievements, a recreational map, and a white paper on the economic benefits of open space.

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The Bay Institute

The Bay Institute, a leading scientific nonprofit, launched a $10 million dollar capital campaign to buy the Aquarium of the Bay. Susan Ives Communications created a fundraising prospectus framing the opportunity to transform the aquarium from a tourist destination into a world-class education center and a hub for groups working to restore the Bay.

The California Nature Conservancy

Susan Ives Communications worked with the development team to commemorate the 50th anniversary. The special publication highlights the Conservancy’s history of achievements, and the important role of donors play in its work.

The Trust for Public Land

Developed TPL’s “Land for People” brand and communications programs.

"Susan served as the Trust for Public Land’s Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications. I found her to be the best in the conservation community nationwide. She matches the highest integrity with initiative and media savvy. In creating and running our national communications, she helped open new markets and attract new donors. She aims high and gets results."

Martin J. Rosen, President, The Trust for Public Land

The Wilderness Society

Western Crane Project

Wilderness Land Trust

Susan Ives Communications conducted message research and developed a communications plan to raise visibility and support for wilderness areas threatened by development.