The Ramsar Convention's Outreach Programme

See below for information on this publication

In this section of the CEPA pages we will be highlighting materials of use to those involved in planning CEPA activities or developing CEPA programmes; the focus will be on materials that describe CEPA methodologies for wetlands although less specific methodologies are also included. Directly associated with the implementation of Ramsar's CEPA Resolution VIII.31, the Additional Guidance on Reviewing and Action Planning for Wetland CEPA was specifically prepared to assist the CEPA Focal Points of the Contracting Parties to the Convention but includes some useful tools of broader relevance to CEPA practitioners.

The publications below document a range of CEPA methodologies. They are presented in four sections - communication techniques; communication with a focus on visitor centres; participatory techniques; and methods in environmental education/ education for sustainability. While we hope these divisions are useful, please be aware that the sections are not mutually exclusive: there is inevitably overlap between sections. As with other pages within this mini-Web site, this is a work in progress and we hope that readers will be willing to share here effective resource materials that you have developed or used (contact hails@ramsar.org).

All links below are to electronically available documents although some are also available in hard copy, usually at a cost!

Communication techniques
*New rules: new game*	An easy-to-read 12-page booklet providing a practical guide for action on changing behaviour to stop damaging the climate. It’s intended for businesses, NGOs, government authorities and international agencies undertaking or planning climate change communication. Produced by the communications company Futerra, it is available as a PDF file and can be downloaded here.
*CEPA toolkit*	Although designed to assist CBDs focal points in implementing their National Biodiversity Stategies/Action Plans, this toolkit offers all CEPA professionals a wide range of resources to update their knowledge and skills. It includes fact sheets, checklists and practical examples from all over the world. Available online and for download here
*Designing a Communication Strategy: The 4-P Workshop*	Published by Conservation International, this text is intended to help stakeholders plan an awareness campaign. The 4-P Workshop takes readers through the planning of a two-day workshop to analyse conservation problems, the potential targets, the most appropriate communication tools to reach each audience, and the development of a campaign plan taking into account the local context and resources. Available for download in PDF format here.
*Communicating Sustainability - How to produce effective public campaigns*	A UNEP/FUTERRA guide (published in 2005) that shows how the power of communication can be harnessed for achieving the goal of promoting more sustainable lifestyles. It is designed for local and national government authorities as well as communication professionals - in fact for anyone who wants to develop and implement public awareness campaigns on these issues. Available for download as a PDF file (2.7MB) here.
*Successful Communication: A Toolkit for Researchers and Civil Society Organisations*	Published in 2005 by the Overseas Development Institute, this toolkit is for researchers and practitioners who wish to communicate to policymakers. The toolkit addresses the questions of how researchers and CSOs can best communicate evidence in order to inform or influence policy, to achieve their own stated development objectives, or simply to make their own knowledge accessible and understandable to a wider audience. Available as a PDF file here.
*Communicating Protected Areas*	What is the role of strategic communication in building support for protected areas? Drawing from a workshop at the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress in 2003, this 311-page text looks at this question through case studies. Includes principles of strategic communication, lessons learned and recommendations. Can be downloaded by chapter in PDF format here.
*Communicating for Recovery: A guide to developing a Recovery Plan Communications Strategy*	This 50-page guide has been developed from a recovery project by WWF Australia. It details eight steps to developing and implementing a communication strategy and the authors intend the guide to be used as a model that recovery teams can adapt to suit their own setting, to ensure that their communications with key stakeholders are relevant, strategic, cost-effective and accountable. Published in 2004, it is available in PDF format here.
*Collaborating for Sustainability: A Resource Kit for Facilitators of Participatory Natural Resource Management in the Pacific*	A manual that covers the range of areas that project managers and facilitators working in participatory natural resources management (NRM) in the Pacific region need to know about: the key social and cultural issues to be considered in planning and designing participatory NRM projects, methods for socio-economic assessment, and tools and skills in the management and administration of externally funded projects. Released in 2004, you can download this in one or several files from the SPREP/IWC web site here (2.3MB).
*Managing coastal activities: new help for local authorities*	This publication provides guidance for local authorities on their powers to regulate activity and their responsibilities to promote good practice among all users of the coast. It provides information to help identify current issues; act only when needed; use the right mix of measures for the local circumstances; promote solutions through voluntary action or self regulation; develop effective partnerships in management etc. Published in 2004, available online as PDF (353KB)
*Principles of Good Practice* and Planning Guide for Projects	From IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication Web pages, under Principles of Good Practice their Top 10 Do's and Don't's for good communication and under Planning guide for projects accessible from their home page you can link to some brief tips on Starting projects and programmes; Identifying role of communication/Education; Selecting target groups; Selecting partners; Developing a strategy; Selecting tools; Monitoring and Evaluation
*Communication and Natural Resource Management: experience/theory*	Prepared by the Communication Development Initiative and FAO's Communication for Development Group in 2003, this resource book looks at how experience is and can be guided by theory and how theory can be derived from understanding experience. Available for download as a PDF file from FAO here (132KB).
*A guide to advocacy work in the water and sanitation sector*	A source book published in 2001 by WaterAid for anyone working in the water and sanitation sector who wants to undertake advocacy work. Explains the different advocacy tools, provides practical examples of advocacy work, provides information on key policy actors and processes and how to influence them at international levels and to provide information on agencies, networks and institutions engaged in advocacy work in the freshwater sector. Available for download as a PDF file here.
*Wetlands Outreach: Getting the Message Out - New Techniques and New Partners for the Millennium*	The product of an intensive, two-day discussion among 45 wetland outreach professionals from NGO's as well as state, federal and local governments in the USA, this publication notes the abundance and high quality of many outreach products but identifies some important gaps. Published in 2000, the document, available in PDF format, identifies generic problems, solutions and areas for future strategic wetland outreach development and cooperation.
*Developing a Biodiversity Program*	A step-by-step process for developing quality biodiversity education projects and materials developed by staff of the USA's EPA Office of Water and Office of Environmental Education. Available as a series of PDFs - includes information on project planning, development, delivery and evaluation.
************** Communication with a focus on Wetland Education Centres
*Developing a Wetland Centre: 1. Public centres and CEPA*	A manual produced by Wetland Link International outlining the philosophy, thinking and questions to be considered when developing and running a wetland centre. The emphasis in this volume is on CEPA (communications, education and public awareness) within wetland centres that are open to the public as conservation centres and visitor attractions. Available for download as a PDF file in Chinese, English, French, Portuguese and Spanish
*Challenge for visitor centres: linking local people, visitors and protected areas*	Documents the discussion papers and working group conclusions from a seminar jointly organised in August 2000 by the World Commission on Protected Areas and the Finnish Forest and Park Service. Available in English as a PDF file from the Web site of the Finnish Forest and Park Service, it covers a whole range of practical issues from developing permanent exhibitions, to protected areas and their role in environmental education, to designing and delivering an interpretative guided walk etc. Take some time to look around this Web site - great info for the public.
************ Participatory techniques**
*Natura 2000, Conflict Management and Resolution*	This publication was a product of a Eurosite workshop that looked at the causes of conflict and the importance of information and 'social capital'. It considers what can be done to build positive working relationships with local stakeholders to avoid or reduce conflict, investigate the mechanisms behind environmental conflicts and proposes tools and methods to manage and resolve these conflicts. Available for download here.
*MSP Resource Portal: building capacity to facilitate multistakeholder processes and social learning*	An online source of practical information from Wageningin International on how to facilitate participatory learning processes with various stakeholders. It provides theoretical foundations, methods and tools to create learning processes, facilitation tips, examples, literature and links.
*Participatory Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation*	An online source of practical information from Wageningin International on managing and learning for impact that aims to help build the capacity of individuals and organisations to effectively implement PPM&E systems (courses, advisory services, evaluation); contribute to innovation in the field of PPM&E; and provide practical web based resource materials, experience sharing and learning with this PPM&E resource portal.
*Learning together to manage together: Improving participation in water management*	The handbook explains why it makes sense to be more ambitious about participatory processes rather than simply informing or consulting stakeholders and the public, and it provides the methodology for creating the right framework for a successful participatory process. It offers practical guidance for the development of participation processes that meet the actual needs of stakeholders and aims to serve as a reference book for the selection of adequate participatory methods. Published in 2005, it is available here in PDF format (3.69MB).
*Systems thinking and practice: Diagramming*	From the Open University: some great online demos on diagramming that can be adapted for stakeholder workshops- spray diagrams, rich pictures, systems maps, multiple cause diagrams and sign graphs. Online here .
*A One Stop Participation Guide: A Handbook of Public Participation in Environmental Assessment in Southern Africa*	Offers helpful tips and the process to follow for public participation from the perspective of the four key stakeholders who are part of any public participation process: Practitioners, Civil Society, Government and Developers. Also has a chapter on conflict management. Published in 2005, it is available here in PDF format here.
Evaluating governance: a handbook to accompany a participatory process for a protected area	The purpose of this handbook is to assist in a systematic process of designing, conducting and following up a participatory assessment of protected area governance. The guide is intended for a broad range of users, including members of a Protected Area (PA) governing body, a PA staff, a member of a community traditional organisation governing a community conserved area, a village leader, a representative of a resource user group, or a conservation or development advocate. In draft format (in Word) at the moment, this handbook is currently being field tested.
*Reviving Wetlands - Sustainable Management of Wetlands and Shallow Lakes*	This manual sets out clear steps on the preparation of a management plan for wetlands, through an inclusive participatory process involving local communities and the many stakeholders whose active support is vital to the successful adoption and implementation of the plan. Target group includes technicians, stakeholders and decision makers involved in management of these sites or influencing the ecosystem with their activities. Available for download in PDF format here.
*Stakeholder dialogue– A good practice guide for users*	A 20-page report which provides a useful guide for those considering working with their stakeholders in a constructive way. It describes what stakeholder dialogue involves and the benefits it brings, and describes how this approach was used on the Isles of Scilly. In PDF format here.
*Citizen Science Toolbox*	The "Toolbox", from the Coastal Cooperative Research Centre in Australia, is designed to help groups select and plan a range of community consultation, stakeholder participation and environmental education activities involving other people - from simple, awareness-raising projects to complex, public participation programmes. The "toolbox", available on-line here, includes more than 60 community involvement methods.
*LIFE-Nature: communicating with stakeholders and the general public*	With ten years of experience assisting in the establishment of the Natura 2000 Network, the European Commission’s LIFE-Nature fund has gained a wealth of practical experience and knowledge in implementing Natura 2000. This report, published in 2004, is focused specifically on their experiences in communicating with different stakeholders and the general public, recognising the key role effective communication plays in gaining acceptance and support for the Natura 2000 network. Available for download in PDF here - low res 2.3MB and high res 6.7MB.
************ Environmental Education / Education for Sustainability**
Building a Sustainable Future: A Strategic Approach to Environmental Education in the Tonle Sap Region – Cambodia	Based on an assessment of local communities' perceptions of water and how water impacts on their livelihoods, this environmental education (EE) plan of action builds a common EE agenda which recognises the need to incorporate local culture, spiritual beliefs and religions and puts communities and their well-being at the very centre of activities. In PDF format here (1.26MB)
*Handbook on methods used in Environmental Education & Education for Sustainable Development*	This 110-page book, published in 2004, introduces educators to the basic ideas relevant to the various EE and ESD methods, using practical examples - a useful reference guide for educators. Synopsis of the book is available here and the full document can be downloaded in PDF format if you first join the MedIES network. Look for instructions here.
*Ranger Interpretation Handbook*	Rangers, nature interpreters and those involved in environmental education can use natural or semi natural areas to illustrate ways in which we can all create a more sustainable future for the planet. This handbook with examples of "best practice" has grown out of a desire to share that knowledge and good practice in our efforts to promote a more caring approach to use of the planet's finite resources and to ensure a healthy future for our children. Published in 2003, in PDF format here (520KB)
*Enabling Ecoaction: a handbook for anyone working with the public on conservation*	A joint publication in 2003 by the Humane Society International, WWF Australia and IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication (CEC), this handbook is designed to assist environmental educators, managers, local government environment officers and others to move away from traditional brochures and posters for the public to participative community-driven approaches to conservation that focus on enabling collective action for change. Available for download as a PDF (1.03MB) or can be purchased in hard copy from publications@wwf.org.au .
Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit	This ESD toolkit was published in 2002 to provide community leaders and educators with an easy-to-use manual to help them start the process of combining education and sustainability. Can be downloaded as a PDF file or viewed in HTML .
*The Pollution Prevention Guide*	Written from 30+ years of experience with service-learning and environmental education, this guide was produced in responce to a growing demand from teachers and community organizers for detailed practical tips on how to organize successful pollution prevention service-learning projects. In PDF format here.
Education for Sustainability. From Rio to Johannesburg: Lessons learnt from a decade of commitment	A report on the lessons learnt about the contribution of education to sustainable development over the past decade, since the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the ‘Earth Summit’) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Prepared by UNESCO, the report was published in 2002 and is available in PDF format here.
The Path to Success: Some Pioneering Examples of Environmental Education	Documents some successful examples of environmental education from 15 countries representing the Asia-Pacific region, Africa and South America. *Can be downloaded from the IGES Web site in PDF Format (go to Publications & Activity Report) .*
Education for Sustainable Development Toolkit	The toolkit , published in 2002 provides community leaders and educators with an easy-to-use manual to help them start the process of combining education and sustainability. Can be downloaded in PDF format (446KB) or viewed in HTML .
*Education and Sustainability: Responding to the Global Challenge*	This publication from IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication includes an overview of the concept of sustainability in highlighting the international scope of formal and non-formal educational efforts to promote sustainable development. This is followed by 15 chapters that document the diverse ways in which educational communities all over the world are responding to the challenge of creating a more sustainable future. Published in 2002, in PDF format here (899KB)
Environmental Education for a Sustainable Future: National Action Plan	Published in the year 2000, this document can be viewed in html or downloaded as an Adobe PDF file (about 500KB) from Environment Australia's Web site. The plan is intended to provide leadership to the many different sectors involved in environmental education activities and promote better coordination of these activities.
Evaluating Environmental Education	This publication from IUCN's Commission on Education and Communication is aimed at assisting those people working in environmental education organisations, such as environmental centres, field study centres, botanical gardens, museums and cultural centres, to evaluate their education activities. Published in 1999, available in Adobe Acrobat PDF format from CEC's Web pages
*Taking Action on the Coast: an Introductory Guide for Local Authorities*	A ten-page guide designed to help local authorities identify, plan and implement initiatives that will ensure the return to sustainable development of their coastlines. It focuses on the many aspects involved: identifying the issues and who should be involved; developing a framework for action; articulating the broad goals; identifying the detailed actions to be carried out; and the monitoring and review process. Copies of the guide are available from Newcastle.2000@btinternet.com or by telephone (+44 28437 25463) or fax (+44 28437 25512).
Interpreting Biodiversity: A Manual For Environmental Educators in the Tropics	Produced by the American Museum of Natural History, this manual is designed for educators and natural resource managers. The five units of the manual cover the key steps in the process of designing an interpretation programme including principles of exhibit design, presentations at an interpretive centre, community outreach activities, and the process of evaluation. The manual is available in PDF format in English, French and Spanish.

For further information about the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, please contact the Ramsar Convention Bureau, Rue Mauverney 28, CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland (tel +41 22 999 0170, fax +41 22 999 0169, E-mail

). Posted 22 May 2001, updated 1 April, 2008, Sandra Hails, Ramsar.