In their 2008 scorecard on the General Assembly, the Virginia League of Conservation Voters does a great job using words to convey to voters how they can hold elected officials accountable for their environmental actions (or lack thereof).

So how does the report hold up, picture wise? Not quite so well. All of the photos in the report are pretty much like the ones you see here.

Any thoughts on what kind of pictures the group should use?

When it comes to politics and policy, “accountable” is one of the words that works the best, and the Virginia League of Conservation Voters gives it a workout in their annual legislative scorecard, which landed in my mailbox this week. Like most lobbying groups, VALCV has a boundless appetite for the shop talk of the legislature — but they’re savvy communicators, too. In the scorecard, they skillfully use words that work like “accountable” and “make a difference” to preface and summarize the more detailed information.

And I’m a big fan of the chart showing how outspoken citizens can influence the actions of elected officials. It may seem simplistic and obvious to you, but several studies have found that most everyday Americans have little idea how to influence policy beyond voting and donating, and that only a few are confident and comfortable taking their legislators to task.

Click here to get your own copy of the 2008 Virginia General Assembly Conservation Scorecard.

Nice job, VALCV!

The Herring Run Watershed Association in Baltimore is raising money to build a community center, where they will demonstrate various responsible methods for development (raingardens, porous pavement et al) and conduct educational activities and the like. The group has put together nice prospectus to help raise money for the effort. It is simple, straightforward, and encourages prospective donors that their gift makes a difference.

The image above, from the closing section of the prospectus, is simple and effective: It tells the reader they can help, and tells them what they can do — invest. The image of volunteers helping next the headline is a nice touch. Note two words that work: investment, and future. The chart below is also simple and effective. It telegraphs to potential donors that group has almost raised enough money to start construction — and that your gift will be working together with other donors’ gifts to get it done.

Good work, Herring Run, and good luck!

I’m sure there’s some way to improve the cover of this booklet from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, but I can’t think of it offhand. Can you?

And the use of images is generally strong throughout the piece. Check out these winners:

Simple rules worth repeating:

• Family and children are words that work!
• A picture is worth a thousand words!
• Pictures of people enjoying the outdoors together are much much much better than pictures of people enjoying the outdoors alone!
• If you want minorities to feel included, you have to show pictures of them.

Click here to download the complete booklet.