Celebrating Cicadas Campaign Wins Top Award

The Lake County Forest Preserves earned a top international award for its “Celebrating Cicadas” communications campaign.The Public Relations Society of America recognized the 2024 periodical cicada celebration at its prestigious Anvil Awards in New York last week.

The campaign took home the highest honor in the Media Relations category—the Bronze Anvil Award.The Anvils set the standard for industry excellence. Long considered the icon of the profession, they are the benchmark of outstanding performance in public relations, according to a news release.

With only 22 Bronze Anvils awarded nationwide, this recognition places the Forest Preserves’ communications and design team among the top in the field. The award also highlights the strength of collaboration across departments, said Rebekah Snyder, director of community engagement and partnerships.

“This was more than a communications campaign—it was a full agency effort,” Snyder said. “From museum designers and educators to ecologists and volunteers, everyone played a part in bringing the cicada story to life for the public.”The campaign exceeded all goals and reached a vast audience.Coverage appeared in local, national and international outlets.

Combined with social media, website traffic and advertising, the campaign generated more than 216 million impressions worldwide. Forest Preserves educators delivered more than 120 cicada-themed programs, the Dunn Museum's "Celebrating Cicadas" special exhibition attracted thousands of visitors, and a cicada-themed craft beer was the season's top seller at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville.