Presentation from the Communicate 2011 Delegate Showcase, 3rd November 2011. Communicate is hosted by the Bristol Natural History Consortium. www.communicatenow.org
Heather McFarlane: Do you remember the first time? The lessons and legacy of the Count Bat project
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3. What we did Training Surveys Digital tools Events
4. What Next …. we’re taking conservation to the streets!
Editor's Notes
Missing audiences in countryside users identified from HLF research Visually Impaired Deaf & Hard of Hearing Adults with Learning Difficulties Culturally Diverse Groups Urban Dwellers - We are the leading NGO solely devoted to the conservation of bats and the landscapes on which they rely. We are working to secure the future of bats in our ever changing world by tackling the threats to bats from persecution to loss of roosts and changing land use. As the authority on bat conservation we work locally, national and internationally to deliver our vision of a world where bats and people thrive together in harmony. For 20 years we have been working to secure the future of bats supported by 5000 members, over 2000 volunteers and around 100 local bat groups. To do this we focus our work in 3 areas: discover, act and inspire Discovering more about bats and how they use the landscape . The more we understand and learn bats the better we can protect them and secure their future. Our range of monitoring programmes (such as the National Bat Monitoring Programme) and conservation research in partnership with universities are unlocking the mysteries of the some of the most complex creatures on the planet. Taking action to secure and enhance bat populations, such as protecting roosts on the Bat Helpline, running the Investigation project into bat crime, lobbying for bats and putting to effect best practice and guidance for all those who work or come into contact with bats such as with planners, landowners, woodland managers, roost owners and the construction to help everyone accommodate bats People are central to bat conservation . Bats have adapted to share both urban and rural environment with us, this leaves them vulnerable to our actions but also presents a huge opportunity to inspire everyone everywhere about bats, and engage communities with bat conservation. We are pioneers in inclusive conservation, bats are great at connecting people to our environment, bats are part of nature in we can all enjoy and share. Bats are the wild, mysterious and unique on your door step and we want to keep them that way.
Got some regional officers! New models of engagement Killing trees for multiple languages Bat champs Monitoring engagement Green city bats Building bat boxes! The Big Bat Map Videos and training resources Genuine desire to engage from audiences Some things we learnt : Variable existing volunteers, get new ones! Managing expectations and demand flexibility to meet local demand and need and respond to opportunity
Take it to the streets! Whole communities together Resources available to all Urban bat surveys National campaigns Linking the physical to the digital and the digital to the physical Go local Redesign of our website Whole communities not segments Resource pack published