Individuals and communities play a crucial role in improving the water environment. Inspiring and motivating them to get involved – whether that be through raising awareness, providing volunteering opportunities or offering citizen science training – is essential.
WaterLIFE carried out research to explore the barriers stopping people getting involved, and what opportunities exist that groups, such as catchment partnerships, could take advantage of. Using the conclusions from this research, along with lessons from WaterLIFE campaigns such as Save Our Waters and My Tamar, we have produced five ‘top tips’, which are designed to help organisations, such as catchment partnerships, engage with individuals and communities.
Top tips in brief
- Understand your community
- Develop a varied offer
- Get the message right
- Keep it local
- Communication, communication, communication
To read more, download the guidance sheet:Understanding what motivates people to engage with the water environment.
