Read on Twitter
A (better organised) thread.
My evidence based thoughts on wildlife NGOs using biological recording data to campaign - a response to the recent (brilliant - read them!) threads from @kitenet & @BritishMoths
(1/10)
https://twitter.com/BritishMoths/status/1355565172107173890?s=20 https://twitter.com/kitenet/status/1355911444118839302?s=20
My evidence based thoughts on wildlife NGOs using biological recording data to campaign - a response to the recent (brilliant - read them!) threads from @kitenet & @BritishMoths
(1/10)
https://twitter.com/BritishMoths/status/1355565172107173890?s=20 https://twitter.com/kitenet/status/1355911444118839302?s=20
...we've done a lot of work on this issue
@BumblebeeTrust , surveying 1000s of people, and looking at how/what the UK adult population think, and what works with both our current, and potential future, audience groups, (2/10)
@BumblebeeTrust , surveying 1000s of people, and looking at how/what the UK adult population think, and what works with both our current, and potential future, audience groups, (2/10)
The first thing to say is that wildlife NGOs can (and should) provide hope for the many who are environmentally despondent. Key lesson - don't raise a threat (e.g. via data) without offering an accompanying action or solution. Doom messaging doesn't work for many. (3/10)
Second wear your (scientific/data) expertise "proudly but lightly". Always communicate in an accessibly, inclusive and engaging manner which is appropriate to the specific audience you want to work with (and inspire)... (4/10)
...Our research shows that the vast majority of target audiences do not need to know the detail of the evidence-based approach we use, in order to trust that we always root our work in the best available science and evidence... (5/10)
...In fact many disengage from communications where research and evidence feels too detailed and not tailored to their interests and knowledge. (6/10)
Third, for many audiences, you need to focus your initial engagement on small actions (or action singular). These often work best if they're local to empower individuals. e.g. "What bees are in your park?" (7/10)
Fourth, link what's good for wildlife with what's good for people. Show that your work benefits people as well as nature. For example, the evidence is that biological recording activity is great for improving wellbeing as
@kitenet states. (8/10)
@kitenet states. (8/10)
Finally, there's lots of good research and learning out there on this topic. Find it, read it, think about it, and don't make assumptions, particularity about what your intended audience think. You'll probably be wrong! (9/10)
With huge thanks to my colleagues at the Bumblebee Conservation Trust for all the discussions, @Randall_Fox (amazing consultants) @HeritageFundUK (top funders) and, of course, the 1000s of people who participated in our recent surveys. https://www.bumblebeeconservation.org/creating-a-buzz-around-our-story/ (10/10)
