Improving communication strategies for bats facing white-nose syndrome
Heidi Kretser
Wildlife Conservation Society
Dr. Heidi Kretser is the Deputy Director, Conservation and Communities, for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s North America Program where she has worked in numerous capacities for nearly 20 years. Heidi uses tools and perspectives from the social sciences to incorporate the human dimensions of natural resource policy and management into applied conservation research, planning, and decision-making. Heidi’s current projects include creating effective communication that generates action on topics as varied as white-nose syndrome and wildlife trafficking, devising strategies and guidelines for coexistence of wildlife on private lands in residential and agricultural areas, and building collaborative approaches for increasing community and natural resource governance capacity to achieve conservation outcomes across diverse constituents. In addition to her work at WCS, Heidi serves as Adjunct Associate Professor at Cornell University’s Department of Natural Resources.
Abstract
Communicating conservation messages for bats affected by white-nose syndrome (WNS) is challenging because bats are a risk-laden species; they carry rabies. Public health agencies have messages about bats with more cautionary... [ view full abstract ]
Communicating conservation messages for bats affected by white-nose syndrome (WNS) is challenging because bats are a risk-laden species; they carry rabies. Public health agencies have messages about bats with more cautionary content compared to state wildlife and conservation organizations messages. Given the precipitous decline in bat populations in North America due to WNS, we need to understand diverse agency objectives, develop communication plans that reflect nuances of these differences, and craft and test messages with appropriate audiences. We sought to understand organizational perspectives on communication strategies about bats and identify messages that can promote bat conservation and protect public health. Our goals were to 1) Determine objectives of current bat-related communication by wildlife and public health agencies and other organizations, including behaviors being encouraged or discouraged in target audiences; and 2) Identify messages that attempt to influence homeowner behavior around bats and assess compatibility of desired behaviors across multiple messages and agency objectives. We used interviews and a follow-up web survey with 39 individuals representing federal, state, county, tribal and private government and non-government organizations to assess the process of developing communication messages. We confirmed differences in communication emphasis between conservation-oriented and health-oriented agencies but saw clear willingness to integrate messages as opportunities arise. Interviewees noted agency mandates and time as major barriers to integrated messaging. Public health veterinarians, agency wildlife personnel and conservation professionals agreed on important messages about bats, yet these more holistic messages became diluted where actual communication with landowners and the public occurred. This work will guide message development to inform a holistic approach to communication about human health, white-nose syndrome and bat conservation.
Authors
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Heidi Kretser
(Wildlife Conservation Society)
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Bruce Lauber
(Cornell University)
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Katherine Mccomas
(Cornell University)
Topic Areas
Topics: ONE Health , Topics: Communication and Education
Session
M-1C » Trust, Credibility, and Wildlife Disease (10:00 - Monday, 18th September, Diamond West)
Presentation Files
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