Biodiversity and Conservation Policy Communication Workshop: �Challenges and Solutions in Communicating Biodiversity in Policy Settings

Victoria Miara, Yael Lehnardt

COCE, June 24^th 2025

Who we are

Yael Lehnardt

Victoria Miara

Doctoral student and applied ecologist pursuing ecological research projects involving government decision-makers.

Doctoral student of applied science communication and ecology.

Workshop Agenda

PART I

• Tell us about yourself
• Workshop aims
• Breakout room 1: Lets’ define biodiversity
• Colloquium: entire group reflections

Any Questions?

Participants: tell us about yourself

Breakout room #1

Explain biodiversity in one minute

Imagine a friend asks you what biodiversity is, can you explain what it is and why it is important in one minute or less?

1. Write your definition
2. Reflections: what did you like and what did you find challenging?

What is biodiversity to you?

Link to shared document

Colloquium

Time to reflect:

How are perceptions of biodiversity shared and unique?

Biodiversity:

definitions

“The variability among living organisms from all sources including terrestrial, marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are a part. This includes variation in genetic, phenotypic, phylogenetic, and functional attributes, as well as changes in abundance and distribution over time and space within and among species, biological communities and ecosystems” IPBES Website.

"Biological diversity, or biodiversity for short, means the diversity of life in all its forms. Just as diversity within a portfolio of financial assets reduces risk and uncertainty, diversity within a portfolio of natural assets increases Nature’s resilience in withstanding shocks." Dasgupta review (abridged), p. 15

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“the term “biocultural diversity” describes the dynamic, continually evolving and interconnected nature of people and place, and the notion that social and biological dimensions are interrelated. This relationship makes all of biodiversity, including the species, land and seascapes, and the cultural links to the places where we live important… as they all play a role in maintaining a diverse and healthy planet.”

American Museum of Natural History

Workshop Agenda

PART II

• Breakout room 2: Let’s discuss challenges in communicating biodiversity to policymakers - and solutions.
• Discussion: sharing personal experiences, and thoughts regarding proposed solutions.
• Workshop summary

Breakout room #2

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How can we talk about biodiversity with one another?

Your mission: can you convince policymakers to take on your perspective and save biodiversity?

1. Scenario #1: a local school needs a new building. Should it be built on an adjacent pine grove, home to countless animal and plant species? The school children often play there. But, other placement options are more expensive.
2. Scenario #2: should wind turbines be erected on a farm near your house, to reduce reliance on fossil fuels? Turbines will cause noise pollution and deaths of wildlife.

Colloquium

Time to reflect:

• What was your mission?
• Was communication challenging?
• Explain why or why not.

Environmental Communication:

How do we talk about biodiversity?

The keys to success

• Foster partnership: we come to the table with different perceptions of biodiversity. We need to be accepting of this, identify where we agree and use those points of agreement as a starting point to work together.

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• Be respectful: address the people in the room as equals and speak their language. Express your opinion, but be open to learn.

Participant Discussion

Workshop Summary

Please respond and help us improve:

post-workshop questionnaire

Thank you for your participation!

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Please reach out if you have any questions or comments:

Victoria Miara: victoria.m@campus.technion.ac.il

Yael Lenhard: lehnardt@post.bgu.ac.il

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Some useful links:

• https://cordis.europa.eu/article/id/150925-how-to-argue-for-conservation-of-biodiversity
• Dejargonizer and other tools: https://scienceandpublic.com/