1&2 NOVEMBER, GARDENS www.communicatenow.org.uk In a time of unprecedented social, economic and political change we urgently need proactive tools for successfully communicating environmental issues. Communicate goes straight to the interface and asks some difficult questions about current approaches as we explore a shifting landscape of echo-chambers, divisive opinions and fake news.

Registrations open at 9:00AM at CLIFTON PAVILION, BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS

OPENING BRIEFING: OUR STARTING POINT 9:30AM - 10:30AM, LECTURE HALL The last year has seen seismic changes to the political and social landscape in which environmental communicators operate. Tim Scoones, Communicate Host helps us understand who’s in the room, and how we can steer the next two days. Tim Silman, Research Manager, IPSOS MORI starts the conference with a reality check on our audiences across the UK public. We then explore the environmental mega-trends that shape our programmes, campaigns and priorities:

How best can we 'Navigate Change' and keep the environment and conservation at the top of everyone’s agenda?

EXPLORING ECHO CHAMBERS OUTRAGE, OPTIMISM & CURIOSITY 11:00AM - 12:30PM, GARDEN ROOM 11:00AM - 12:30PM, LECTURE HALL Environmental information and ideas communicated in a Nature is in decline, and environmental communicators OR bubble of shared beliefs, values and opinions can be continue to seek effective frames for crafting messages for amplified and reinforced, cutting us off from other views. support and behaviour change. What works? How do we know we are inside – and how do we get out? Peter Morris, Head of PR, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust,

We outline how social informatics now dictate our lives, and makes the case for powerful messages of truth, stark imagery MORNING PLENARIES MORNING the potential dangers to our environmental communication and outlining the true peril nature is now facing. sector. Richard Young, from the Conservation Optimism Movement, Wildscreen presents an innovative case study breaking makes the case for a focus on positive outcomes and stories. down barriers for conservation reaching beyond the usual Anna Starkey, Creative Director, , tells the suspects. story of a Millennium Science Centre who changed its name, We hear perspectives and provocations from Communicate and moved its messaging to a new frame of ‘curiosity’. delegates alongside films highlighting key projects.

CHANGING MINDS: TOOLS FROM BEHAVIOURAL THE TOOLBOX SCIENCE CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTRE 1:30PM - 2:30PM, GARDEN ROOM (Repeated) Environmental communicators need to influence positive change by understanding how people think, respond to MEETING - AND CREATING IMPACTFUL information and formulate their own opinions. Bringing OR SURVIVING - THE MEDIA CAMPAIGNS

together insights from a special pre-conference event, Develop your skills for Get inspired: making a Dr. Michael Sanders, Dr. Kris Meyer and Dr. Anne Hunt take media interviews without difference in cities and delegates through the latest theories and tools from cutting losing the story (or the communities without edge research and practice in behavioural psychology & science) breaking the bank.

PLENARIES sociology and how they can be adapted to communication. 1:40PM - 2:30PM & 1:40PM - 2:30PM & 2:50PM - 3:40PM 2:50PM - 3:40PM UPDATES AND DISCUSSION: POLICY, STRATEGY, FUNDING & PROGRAMMES SOCIAL MEDIA 2:50PM - 3:50PM, GARDEN ROOM ART CHANGES PEOPLE MARKETING ON A

AFTERNOON Sarah Hardy, 25 Year Environment Team, Defra shares Reaching new audiences in SHOESTRING news from Government’s strategy plans, and Martin Poytz- new ways, and how ‘art’ Making a splash in the Roberts, Producer, BBC Radio 4 Costing the Earth, leads OR might be the most exciting digital space: using great Communicate delegates in round-table discussions on their tool yet. ideas instead of big current priorities, strategies, programmes and funding 1:40PM - 2:30PM & budgets. structures. 2:50PM - 3:40PM 1:40PM - 2:30PM & 2:50PM - 3:40PM

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: Bevis Watts, Managing Director of Triodos Bank UK, on “NAVIGATING CHANGE” Followed by Communicate’s favourite format: The Swap, with former BBC Producer of Springwatch, Tim Scoones 4:00 PM – 5:15 PM, LECTURE HALL

Join us for a drink and networking dinner from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM, GARDEN ROOM

1&2 NOVEMBER, BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS www.communicatenow.org.uk In a time of unprecedented social, economic and political change we urgently need proactive tools for successfully communicating environmental issues. Communicate goes straight to the interface and asks some difficult questions about current approaches as we explore a shifting landscape of echo-chambers, divisive opinions and fake news.

Registrations open at 9:00AM at CLIFTON PAVILION, BRISTOL ZOO GARDENS

SPECIAL PRESENTATION: “NAVIGATING CHANGE” 9:30AM - 10:30AM, LECTURE HALL A personal view on the challenges faced by communicators in a “post-truth” world.

FAKE NEWS AND ALTERNATIVE FACTS: CONFLICT & PARTNERSHIP: MAKING THE CASE FOR NATURE TOOLS FOR RESOLUTION 11:00AM - 12:30PM, GARDEN ROOM 11:00AM - 12:30PM, LECTURE HALL How do we make the case for nature in our new, post-fact Environmental issues can be a divisive topic with polarised world of persistent misinformation, divisive spin and self- views and distinct priorities among those who seek to protect, reinforcing echo-chambers? enjoy, work and utilise nature’s resources. When can conflict Prof. Stephan Lewandowsky, University of Bristol, explores OR help sharpen our tools and arguments, and how as a world of ‘alternative facts’ in communications. communicators can we learn to “argue better”?

Amy Mount, Greener UK, outlines a campaign for engaging Charles Clover, Blue Marine Foundation, gives a personal MORNING PLENARIES MORNING policy-makers with the case for nature view on deliberate conflict as a provocative tool. Prof. Adam Joinson, University of Bath, takes us through We outline the challenges in bringing together divisive views fact-checking, targeted online communications, and what about nature. really makes us change our minds. Ann Lukens, professional facilitator and mediator, reflects on the impact of conflict on communicators, and tools to use.

THE CHANGING FACE OF GREEN SPACE THE TOOLBOX 1:30PM - 2:30PM, GARDEN ROOM CONSERVATION EDUCATION CENTRE Neighbourhood green spaces are increasingly making (Repeated) headline news, as the arguments over their value and resourcing intensify. We explore the particular role that OR THE POWER OF LANGUAGE communication professionals play in ongoing debates

Words matter. An in-depth SUCCESS THROUGH around planning, funding and management of our local exploration of the use of DIGITAL MARKETING natural oases. We look at a range of positive, creative and effective, persuasive 1:40PM - 2:30PM & proactive interventions that are helping communities language.

access, manage and re-imagine their local green spaces. 2:50PM - 3:40PM PLENARIES

1:40PM - 2:30PM &

GENERATION SHIFT 2:50PM - 3:40PM 2:50PM - 3:50PM, GARDEN ROOM VIRTUAL WORLDS: THE UNLOCKING INCLUSIVITY Some say that our age defines us – it can certainly determine FUTURE OF how we are perceived, treated and engaged with. But how We’re all striving to make AFTERNOON COMMUNICATION? the environment more many of these assumptions are true, and what can A whistle-stop tour of VR OR inclusive and communication professionals learn about how our age can and 360 degree filming – representative. Real ideas, frame our outlook and opinions? We take a look behind the and how it might change from projects that work. stereotypes and explore techniques and interventions for your campaigns forever. 1:40PM - 2:30PM & understanding and engaging with the full range of different 1:40PM - 2:30PM & 2:50PM - 3:40PM age groups. 2:50PM - 3:40PM

NAVIGATING CHANGE: THE SWAP The Swap brings it all together, and gives you the best insights from parallel sessions. Don’t miss it! 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM, LECTURE HALL, followed by a farewell drink.