Communications committee pushes new Gorge Commission website, plans joint press release and social campaign
March 12, 2026 | Columbia River Gorge Commission, Governor's Office - Boards & Commissions, Executive, Washington
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The Columbia River Gorge Commission communications committee on Thursday reviewed its newly launched website, agreed to produce a joint press release with the U.S. Forest Service and outlined a plan to expand social-media outreach.
Committee chair Amy Weisfeld said the site is a substantial improvement: “The website is pretty it’s pretty amazing, like, something to really be proud of,” and urged the committee to publicize the new features. Staff said the site is easier to navigate and that analytics will be collected to guide future updates.
Beth Kennedy, public affairs officer at the U.S. Forest Service, advised using Facebook for cross-announcements and said larger launches warrant press releases. “If it was something larger, like a new website … we will probably do a press release,” she said.
Commissioners and staff agreed to include the site’s VSI (vital signs indicators) portal and upcoming online permitting access in a press release announcing the launch. A commissioner offered to draft rapid-release language for staff to finalize. Staff will present website analytics to the communications committee next month so the committee can prioritize adjustments.
The committee also brainstormed short social posts and a content calendar: local history features (for example, a Broughton Mill Slough history item), investment and loan success stories, climate-equity coverage from recent panels, and short video “reels” cut from presentations. Members recommended ‘bucketing’ topics by audience and making the monthly staff meeting a standing item to surface timely content.
On staffing and cadence, commissioners described the work as low lift once content is prepared. Commissioner Alex Johnson said posting could be managed with small time commitments: “I could in 10 minutes, I can send you a press release for the website,” and suggested a short weekly posting routine until staff capacity increases.
Next steps: staff will draft the joint press release with the Forest Service, one commissioner will take the first cut on the website announcement, analytics will be compiled and presented next month, and the committee will develop a short-term content calendar and administrative access plan for social channels.
Committee chair Amy Weisfeld said the site is a substantial improvement: “The website is pretty it’s pretty amazing, like, something to really be proud of,” and urged the committee to publicize the new features. Staff said the site is easier to navigate and that analytics will be collected to guide future updates.
Beth Kennedy, public affairs officer at the U.S. Forest Service, advised using Facebook for cross-announcements and said larger launches warrant press releases. “If it was something larger, like a new website … we will probably do a press release,” she said.
Commissioners and staff agreed to include the site’s VSI (vital signs indicators) portal and upcoming online permitting access in a press release announcing the launch. A commissioner offered to draft rapid-release language for staff to finalize. Staff will present website analytics to the communications committee next month so the committee can prioritize adjustments.
The committee also brainstormed short social posts and a content calendar: local history features (for example, a Broughton Mill Slough history item), investment and loan success stories, climate-equity coverage from recent panels, and short video “reels” cut from presentations. Members recommended ‘bucketing’ topics by audience and making the monthly staff meeting a standing item to surface timely content.
On staffing and cadence, commissioners described the work as low lift once content is prepared. Commissioner Alex Johnson said posting could be managed with small time commitments: “I could in 10 minutes, I can send you a press release for the website,” and suggested a short weekly posting routine until staff capacity increases.
Next steps: staff will draft the joint press release with the Forest Service, one commissioner will take the first cut on the website announcement, analytics will be compiled and presented next month, and the committee will develop a short-term content calendar and administrative access plan for social channels.
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