For nearly two decades, the Reef Resilience Network has been arming marine managers and practitioners worldwide with the tools and knowledge needed to adeptly oversee, safeguard, and rehabilitate coral reefs facing threats from both local and global stressors, including pollution, overfishing, rising sea temperatures, and coastal development. This enables the reefs to sustainably provide for the communities that rely on them.

From November 29th to December 1st, the CRO had the privilege of participating in a ‘Strategic Communication for Conservation’ Workshop held in the breathtaking country of Palau. Spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy‘s Reef Resilience Network, the workshop aimed to equip marine managers and practitioners with the skills and support necessary for the efficient management of coral reefs. The experience was not only enriching but was marked by a warm and welcoming reception from everyone in Palau.

Tara Scarborough ‘’To my colleagues in Palau: Sulang! Ak meral miss er kemiu el rokui
To the TNC team: I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity and the invaluable insights gained from the workshop.’’

Photos by: The Nature Conservancy’s Resilience Reef Network and Coastal Zone Management Network Authority and Institute- All rights reserved.

One might wonder, “What is strategic communication?” It involves the intentional use of communication to attain a particular goal or outcome. It revolves around delivering the right message to the right person at the right time through the appropriate channel to achieve a specific objective.

On November 29th, the first day of the ‘Strategic Communication for Conservation’ workshop in Palau began, focusing precisely on this form of communication.

Throughout the day, participants worked on defining a clear ‘big picture’ goal, which was then broken down into manageable ‘bite-sized’ objectives. The emphasis was on assessing the context of their efforts to determine the most relevant conversations to engage in.

By the end of the day, the target audience was meticulously defined, with the understanding that for a communication plan to be truly strategic, the audience must be specific.

Tara Scarborough ‘’A big thank you to The Nature Conservancy‘s Reef Resilience team for an insightful and knowledge-packed first day.’’

Pictures by: The Nature Conservancy’s Reef resilience Network- All rights reserved.

“MAKE YOUR MESSAGE MATTER!”

During the second day of the ‘Strategic Communication for Conservation’ workshop in Palau, the focus was on crafting impactful key messages.

Recognizing that several crucial factors contribute to a message’s significance is essential. A good message is meaningful, concise, tangible and resonates well with your target audience.

‘WHO DELIVERS YOUR MESSAGE IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY”

A crucial aspect of any important message is identifying the right messenger and employing effective tactics for success. Who delivers the message and how it is conveyed are just as vital, if not more so, than the message itself.

Tara Scarborough ‘’Thanks once again to the team from The Nature Conservancy‘s Reef Resilience Network for a jam-packed day of fun and learning.’’

Pictures by: The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network- All rights reserved.

REALITY CHECK!

Does it add up?

When devising strategies, we often become so engrossed in the final outcome that we lose sight of the journey it takes to reach that point. Ultimately, does it truly make sense?

On the concluding day of the ‘Strategic Communication for Conservation’ workshop in Palau, the focus turned to constructing a concise plan summarizing our strategy. The task was to guarantee that each step taken, from inception to conclusion, complemented one another.

This process provided an opportunity to pinpoint any gaps or missing information, ensuring the strategy remained effective and engaging.

LESS IS MORE!

Tara Scarborough ‘’I am delighted to share that by the end of the three-day workshop, I successfully crafted a high-level snapshot of my strategic plan for conservation.

A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the team at The Nature Conservancy‘s Reef Resilience Network for organizing and guiding this enlightening workshop.

The invaluable assistance of the exceptional coaches was instrumental in my ability to develop and complete my snapshot. Thank you to Kristen Maize, Michelle Graulty, Joel Johnsson, Cherie Wagner, and Scott Radway. ‘’

Pictures by: The Nature Conservancy’s Reef Resilience Network- All rights reserved.