Bird Aware Solent
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Delivery Strand Engagement

Revised strategy

Delivery Strand: Engagement

5.16 As a behaviour change project, it is vital for the Partnership to engage with coastal users to encourage ‘bird aware’ practices when visiting the coast. Engagement takes many forms including: face-to-face contact with Rangers; signage; digital, broadcast and print media; presentations; and leaflets. The Footprint Ecology review found that Rangers were seen as ‘passionate, approachable, observant, knowledgeable, and friendly’. It also commented that the installation of signage targeted at water sports enthusiasts was a ‘good example of the Partnership engaging with hard-to-reach groups.’

5.17 Threaded throughout all communications and interactions are positive messages, formatted and presented in ways supported by behaviour change science as effective for creating lasting impressions and meaningful change. The Partnership remains committed to keeping abreast of emerging behaviour change science and using it within its working practices.

5.18 Partnership staff continually seek out new engagement opportunities, be they new audiences, techniques, events, venues, resources or activities. This will continue to be a priority and will be supported by increased communications resources to further develop this key workstream and amplify its messaging.

5.19 In the coming period, the Partnership will also base priorities around the following:

WhatWhy
E1 Wildlife aware guidesFocus ‘code of conduct’ / wildlife aware guide work on truly embedding and expanding existing initiatives for main leisure groups rather than widen to a larger number of less impactful leisure activities. The greatest mitigation impact will be seen from changing behaviour of the main user groups – land based, watersports and dog walkers - honing in on just these key groups enables us to embed positive behaviour and keep guides updated and relevant which will require ongoing support.
E2 Audience workshopsExpand use of audience workshops.Increased knowledge sharing to better inform its work practices and knowledge sharing.
E3 Increase communication resourcesCommunications requires additional staff resource and budget.As a behaviour change programme, communication is vital for Bird Aware Solent. Communication content has the highest reach of all Bird Aware Solent’s mitigation tools.
E4 VolunteersA 2-year trial period to explore if the use of volunteers, champions, interns, work experience placements and ambassadors is feasible and to trial if considered so.This is potentially an untapped resource that needs further exploration, both in terms of delivery and any potential associated risks.
E5 Education programmeExpand resources to support various forms of learning: formal or otherwise.Delivering core messaging through a wider audience base.
E6 Supporting dog walkersMore targeted communications to the dog walking community, and incentives for them to become involved in Coast & Country Canines.Adequately supporting this user group to make wildlife aware choices has the potential to achieve large mitigation gains. More resources will be dedicated to supporting this work.

Five Year Plan Delivery Strands