The Language of Conservation: How to Communicate Effectively to Build Support for Conservation

Greetings Everyone:

Here’s a really thought-provoking analysis about the language we use to build support for conservation of our natural environment. The Language of Conservation: How to Communicate Effectively to Build Support for Conservation was commissioned by The Nature Conservancy in the US and the research was carried out by professional polling companies. It looks at conservation messages and what works – and what doesn’t work – with the general public. It is of course based on US citizens but I think it is still relevant to other situations. Some of the findings are a sharp reminder about how best to communicate our wetland conservation message to engage the public and win their support. Written in just 11 pages there are lots of useful Do’s and Dont’s – such as:

DO continue to use a ‘future generations’ message
DO use phrases that imply ownership and inclusion, such as ‘our’ and ‘we’
DO NOT focus on economic rationales for conservation
DO NOT make global warming/climate change the primary rationale

And there’s much, much more . . . so take a few moments to download and have look: http://learningcenter.lta.org/attached-files/0/94/9466/220-2749_Language_of_Conservation_-_Final_(2).pdf

With best wishes, Sandra Hails, Ramsar Secretariat
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Sandra HAILS
CEPA Programme Officer
Ramsar Convention Secretariat
Rue Mauverney 28, 1196 Gland, Switzerland
hails@ramsar.org
Tel: +41 22 9990176
Fax: +41 22 9990169
www.ramsar.org/CEPA-Programme/