Symposium

Title of Session: Communicating about Biodiversity with Cutting Edge Approaches

Organizer: Jane Elder Strategies and Forum on Nature and Democracy, Jane Elder

Session Goals:
Provide an overview of diverse approaches to engaging the public and key sectors on biodiversity, and identify opportunities for a more cohesive and concerted effort to engage Americans in particular, and flag opportunities for strategic collaboration on raising the profile of biodiversity

Summary and Speakers:
Jane Elder (moderator): Jane was the founding director of the Biodiversity Project and spent ten years focused on communications strategies to engage the public in caring about biodiversity and taking action to protect it.  She has a strong background in how cultural values and social science research can be used to connect with audiences. (PowerPoint)

Carol Saunders, Ph.D.: (confirmed) Dr. Saunders is a pioneer in the field of conservation psychology, recently joining the faculty of Antioch College after an extensive career in education and communications research at Brookfield Zoo.  Conservation psychology provides powerful insights into how people relate to nature, and motivations for taking action.

Nora Bynum, Director for the Global Activities of Lessons in Conservation: the Network Conservation Educators and Practitioners and Associate DIrector for Capacity Development at the Center for Biodiversity and Conservation of the American Museum of Natural History  (PowerPoint)

Lisa Wise, Center For A New American Dream

Jill Allread, APR, is a communication specialist and owns PCI - a national public relations firm inChicago. She has extensive media and issues management experience in the areas of conservation, health care and nonprofits.  Her 28 years of experience includes 12 years writing and editing for daily newspapers and three years directing public affairs for the Chicago Zoological Society. Jill counsels numerous clients through the development and execution of strategic communications programs. Her clients include John G. Shedd Aquarium, the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, The National Elephant Center, and Chicago Wilderness.  An environmental community leader, Jill is board president of Openlands, one of the nation’s oldest most successful regional conservation organizations, and is a commissioner and past chair of the Illinois Nature Preserves Commission, which oversees the state’s 500 nature preserves and land and water reserves. (PowerPoint)

Summary:
This symposium will explore various innovate approaches to engaging the public and key sectors in biodiversity conservation through sophisticated communications and public education strategies.  Topics will include: Core cultural values and how they align with public awareness and concerns related to biodiversity; psychological motivations for caring about nature from the field of conservation psychology; experiential and place based-learning – what works in environmental education; case studies from leading museums and zoos (AMNH and Brookfield Zoo) showcasing innovative approaches to create lasting impressions with their audiences; examining how frame analysis can help us shift communications and policy related to the U.S. role in global environmental issues; and bridges to key sectors, from corporate leadership to community volunteers, to green consumers.  Areas of expertise are noted above in descriptions of potential panelist. Participants will gain insights into many facets of communications strategies that are advancing biodiversity conservation, and which have the potential to play a much larger role in shaping responsive policy and action.