This webinar is designed as a space to explore key communication topics that often come up in conservation work: how to translate scientific findings into accessible messages, engage with communities, localise outreach efforts, and gain media attention while avoiding sensationalism.
The session will feature real cases and examples from different contexts, along with practical strategies and lessons learned. The aim is to share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and what others might want to try in their own context.
Participants can expect to walk away with:
Concrete examples of how others have approached science communication, media engagement, community outreach, or localisation in conservation settings
Ideas for adjusting communication plans to fit different levels of resources — including limited time, staff, or funding
Insights into how peers are navigating common challenges such as misinformation, media pressure, or working across cultures and languages
A few tools, guiding questions, or actionable steps to take forward in their own communication work
The session will also help shape the communication-focused workshop during the final Nature FIRST conference, that will take place on 25-26 June.
Agenda:
Main programme: 15:00–16:00 CEST
Optional discussion: 16:00–16:30 CEST
The webinar will consist of four short sessions of presentations, each followed by a brief poll and Q&A moment. It will conclude with a wrap-up and an optional open discussion.
We’ll open the webinar with a brief introduction to Nature FIRST and what to expect during the session. Participants will be guided on how to join the interactive polls and Q&A moments between sessions. The session is designed to be fast-paced, engaging, and grounded in real-life communication work from the field.
Host and Moderator:
Kacia Rutkouskaja, Consultant Content & Social Media at dotSPACE foundation and Media Coordinator for the Nature FIRST project
Session 1 – Science Communication
How can scientific work be communicated in ways that are clear, accessible, and meaningful for wider audiences—without losing the core message? This session explores science communication challenges and approaches from both research and project perspectives.
Speaker:
Nikola Ganchev, PhD student at the Bulgarian Academy of Science; former science communication expert for Horizon-funded projects at Pensoft Publishers
Session 2 – Media Relations & Sensationalism
This session explores how to engage with the media on complex conservation topics—balancing accuracy, relevance, and public interest.
Speakers
Robin Rigg is a conservationist and researcher specialising in large carnivores. He is co-founder and chairman of the Slovak Wildlife Society (http://slovakwildlife.org/) and is currently Chief Editor of Carnivore Damage Prevention News (https://cdpnews.net/).
Iva Toncheva-Boesten, Journalist / PR & Communication Expert; Senior Team Leader at the Bulgarian News Agency’s Social Media Department
Session 3 – Localisation & Community Engagement
Adapting communication to local contexts means more than translation. This session looks at methods for meaningful engagement—from using theatre to working in regions with limited connectivity.
Speakers
Dr. Anna Sustersic, Communication Coordinator at coexistence.life
Boris Hinojo, Founder of 3edata (Galicia, Spain); focused on environmental stakeholder engagement
Roman Cherepanyn, Projects Manager at WWF-Ukraine and lecturer at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University
Session 4* – Adapting Communication to Contexts
This session explores how communication approaches can be adapted to different working conditions, including areas with limited internet access, low smartphone use, and varying literacy levels. Speakers will share practical insights on working in remote and multilingual communities, where local engagement is key for trust and knowledge exchange. We’ll also touch on the role of appropriate, low-tech solutions for fieldwork and outreach.
*This session will be available as a pre-recorded presentation.
Speaker:
Judith Dekkers, Founder and Director of Kumbe Biodiversity, an organisation based in Tanzania providing transparent and innovative solutions for biodiversity monitoring.
Wrap-up and Discussion
We’ll close the main programme with a brief summary, a final poll or reflection question, and a look ahead to the Nature FIRST Final Conference, taking place on 25–26 June 2025 in Rhenen, Netherlands.
An optional open discussion will follow, offering space for participants to share reflections, ask further questions, or highlight communication challenges from their own work.
