Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals [Paperback]

Susan Kay Jacobson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1559635096 | ISBN-13: 978-1559635097 | Edition: 1

Community and public support are essential to the success of conservation and resource management programs. Often, the level of support received depends on whether or not the goals and importance of the program have been clearly explained to the public, the press, or policymakers. Without good communication, even the best programs are liable to fail."Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals" provides in-depth guidance on achieving conservation goals through better communications. It introduces communication approaches -- marketing and mass media, citizen participation, public information, environmental interpretation, and conservation education activities -- and offers scores of real-world examples and straightforward advice that will help conservationists develop the the skills they need to communicate effectively. Following an introductory chapter that provides an overview of the communication process, the book: describes research techniques for gathering background information and targeting audiences outlines the steps involved in developing a communications campaign explains how to use mass media-from giving interviews to writing news releases and holding press conferences provides examples for developing interpretive media for conservation explores long-term conservation education strategies presents program evaluation techniques to determine the level of success achieved, or to identify steps for improvement Throughout, the author presents a rich storehouse of examples, guidelines, and planning tools for all kinds of communication challenges. Strategies and materials that have been used by organizations across the country -- from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service toThe Nature Conservancy, from Adirondack Park to Yellowstone National Park -- are featured, providing both inspiration and support for others involved with similar projects."Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals" is a much-needed contribution to the environmental literature that will play a vital role in helping scientists, managers, concerned citizens, and students to more effectively communicate their knowledge and concern about the environment, and to achieve greater professional and community success with their environmental campaigns.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you have been searching for a resource to design communication programs that contribute to conservation goals, then this book is for you. Supported by real-world examples of successful programs domestically and abroad, Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals offers jargon-free, practical suggestions for planning, implementing, and evaluating a variety of communication programs. "

(Michaela Zint associate professor of environmental education and communication ) --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

About the Author

Susan K. Jacobson is an award-winning professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, and director of the Program for Studies in Tropical Conservation at the University of Florida.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 351 pages
• Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559635096
• ISBN-13: 978-1559635097
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,834 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be Required Reading in Ecology/Natural Resources Management Curriculums, June 25, 2005

By 

Jonathan Gelbard - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals (Paperback)

This is a book that every ecologist, botanist, conservation biologist, land manager and other environmental professional should read as they work to improve on the critical skills involved in conveying the importance of a healthy environment to "people" values that matter to Joe and Jane Public. For undergraduate and graduate students in environmental studies, ecology, environmental science, environmental policy, environmental management and other related majors, it should be required reading in at least one of their courses.

Right now too many Americans think of environmentalism and conservation as a threat to our economy and quality of life. That is clearly a major communications failure, because the there are in fact abundant ways that conservation can SAVE money, protect the public health, reduce risk of floods, fires, and other such disasters, reduce cancer risk, improve our energy independence and thus national security, and much more while also protecting the health of our environment. Refer to www.ConservationValue.org for some outstanding examples.

Conservationists just need to do a better job of getting their message out there in a way that will resound positively with the public, and this book is a great starting point for learning how to do so.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Helpful for Those in Conservation, March 24, 2007

By 

Madrasi (Montana) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Communication Skills for Conservation Professionals (Paperback)

A great overview of how to get the word out about conservation issues, programs and campaigns. Thorough and in-depth. Recommended for anyone in conservation.