Conservation Networks

Getting Started

Definition
Purpose
Organizing
Examples & Links
Terms

Network Design

Vision and Goals
Network Scale
Integration
Design Principles
Application
Land Ratings
Design Checklist
Tips & Advice
Tools & Resources

Implementation

Acquisition
Incentives
Stewardship
Outreach
Funding
Maintenance

Outreach and education efforts can bring multiple benefits to protecting the network, such as public and political support, which may give the plan credibility, and in-kind and financial resources. Producing materials, such as a map of the network and a document of the overall conservation strategy or plan, is essential for outreach efforts. The document should be short (maybe an executive summary of a larger report), easy to read and understandable, and include attractive images and photos. (The Massachusetts BioMap Project report and map are good examples.)

While key stakeholders involved early in the network development process should already be invested in implementation activities, casting a wider net of collaborators and supporters will be helpful to implementation success. Other government agencies, conservation organizations, land trusts, landowners, and citizens, who should know about the conservation plan may enhance implementation efforts through in-kind help and possibly access to new funding sources. Because some implementation efforts

will be conducted at the local level it is essential to involve local agencies and organizations. Developing an effective outreach strategy that will draw in these local groups and agencies will be important to success of implementation activities.

Landowner Outreach

Once the priority lands are identified and management strategies envisioned, it will be important to reach out to private landowners whose lands fall within the network. Often, simply informing them of the value of the resources will be enough to ensure long-term stewardship. However, it may be necessary to find a way to reward or compensate landowners whose land has special ecological values, especially if the conservation of those values restricts economic activities on the land.

Outreach and technical assistance should be provided to private landowners. Outreach should include informing the landowner about the regional significance of their property. Once they understand the importance of their resources and how to manage them, many private landowners may willingly adopt these practices. Others may follow them if provided with an incentive. See also Flexible Incentives

for landowners.

Communication

Communication and marketing efforts should emphasize some key messages:

Lands proposed for inclusion in the conservation network will not automatically be protected through regulation.

Creating the network will provide multiple benefits to the public, such as ecological value, enhanced quality of life, clean water, aesthetic value, recreation opportunities, hazard mitigation, cultural value, public health benefits, education opportunities, ethical and spiritual benefits, enjoyment of nature for future generations, and economic value (such as provision of ecosystem services).

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