Wild talk

This week our Rangers (Marion, Katie, Emily, Sarah and Stacey) and Trustee team (Sue and Kate) spent a day training alongside Natural England team member Kate S, Polzeath Marine Conservation Group members Cathy and Annie and Tina who runs Our Only World charity. Generously hosted by Tina in Polzeath, we all enjoyed the inspirational floor to ceiling sea views reminding us why we love Cornwall’s coast , the sea and seals!

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Led by Sue and Kate S, the training day focused on how to best frame messages for nature and wildlife and explored the hidden meaning behind our use of words and the complexity and challenge of effective communication. The training was inspired by the fabulous Framing Nature Toolkit created by the Public Interest Research Centre.

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Arising from much discussion sustained by wonderful refreshments, our top tips for getting messages across and the best outcomes for marine wildlife included:

  • Talk about how beautiful and amazing nature is and inspire curiosity
  • Make us part of nature and make links with everyday wildlife for all
  • Inspire multidisciplinary appreciation of nature and make messages evocative and emotional
  • Share our vocation, joy, love, care and compassion for wildlife
  • Encourage everyone to get out and about
  • Talk environmental growth
  • Be clear about the cause of the problem and highlight solutions
  • Give nature and supporters an active role.

If you would like Sue to run similar training for your local marine group just email [email protected]

Huge thanks to

  • Kate S for highlighting the existence of this fabulous toolkit and for sharing the day and her expertise with us
  • Tina for being a wonderful host and welcoming us into her home
  • Everyone for taking a day out of their busy schedules
  • Postcode Local Trust (supported by the People’s Postcode Lottery) for funding Marion (our first Amazement and Discovery Ranger )

 

We all learned heaps making us better able to share the needs of seals and our precious marine environment and encouraging solutions focused thinking and action.