Dear Marmam, Have you ever:
- wondered why some people seem so opposed to marine mammal conservation measures that are necessary to save a species; - been frustrated when all the science points to a problem that will worsen unless changes are made, yet nothing is done; or - looked for new ways to be more efficient in your efforts to achieve lasting marine mammal conservation success? If so, this workshop might be for you. "How to secure pro-conservation behaviours in an apathetic public: an introduction" is an online workshop that will run twice to cater to audiences in different timezones: - *20th August 2026*, 10:00 – 16:00 CET (Central European Time) - *17th September 2026*, 10:00 – 16:00 US Central Time Overview of the Workshop: Achieving conservation goals for marine mammals or other species often hinges on the adoption of new behaviours by one or more groups of people. This can be hard to secure through regulatory changes for marine mammals, as data on their distributions and the full extent of the threats and associated risks are lacking, enforcement can be tricky, especially when regulated activities are offshore, and public awareness is low because many problems are hidden far away under the waves. To overcome this, it is not uncommon that more data is sought. However, such efforts rarely secure immediate marine mammal conservation successes. Conservation projects often focus on evidence about the protected species and its environment, and evidence about human behaviour is often underrepresented in conservation efforts. Instead, securing behavioural changes in the species under management, humans, requires the application of tailored tools and techniques that have been designed based on an understanding of their social structures and motivations, as well as the human factors driving both. This is the purview of the conservation social sciences. Many marine mammal conservation biologists are thus being forced to venture into this relatively new and rapidly developing field, developing interventions and campaigns based on experience, intuition, and human understanding. While some of these interventions work out perfectly, some may fail to have the desired impact due to a lack of understanding of what drives human behaviour and how this may influence the effectiveness of the tools being used. Importantly, some of these tools are counterintuitive, but incredibly effective when implemented correctly. Similarly, others can feel more intuitive but can be counterproductive in many situations. This workshop is meant to highlight a variety of tools grounded in social science, and their proper use for encouraging pro-conservation behaviour. This 1-day workshop will combine lectures, discussions and brainstorming sessions to: 1. introduce marine mammal scientists and managers to the human factors that may hinder or strengthen their conservation efforts; 2. provide an overview of tools that can be applied to overcome some of these various challenges to incite pro-conservation behavioural changes necessary for achieving greater success in the conservation of marine mammals; and 3. explore the potential application of those tools to some of the conservation problems brought forward by participants. Details and Registration Process: Format: Fully virtual — choose the 20th August (CET) or 17th September (US Central) session Cost: USD 150 / EUR 135 Discounted rates may be available for students or others on a case-by-case basis — please contact us to discuss. How to register: Email Andrew Wright at [email protected], indicating which session date you'd like to attend. More information is available here: https://vocalearth.my.canva.site/augsep-workshop About the instructor: Andrew Wright is a marine mammal biologist by training with experience in the conservation social sciences, as well as domestic and international environmental management and policy. He co-founded the Conservation Marketing and Engagement Working Group of the Society for Conservation Biology in 2015 and remains active within that community after leaving the Board in 2019. Regards, Andrew Wright, PhD Vocal Earth
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