Hands-on workshops and skill-building training sessions are critical both to developing the work of individual organizations and their staffs, and also to evolving entire sectors. We are available to lead teams and networks in the previously developed sessions listed below, or we can work with you to create a custom workshop, training, or webinar.
This Land Is Our Land: Making a Stronger Case for Conservation
Virtual River Rally, May 2020
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Raleigh, NC, October 2019
Vital Lands Illinois Summit, Champaign, IL, February 2019
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2018
Take a deep dive into the ways that we think and communicate about land conservation. We explore assumptions about diversity (geographical, ethnic, economic, etc.) and land preservation. We examine how conservationists concede rhetorical ground, particularly around climate change work, and how to recapture it. And we learn from other movements (including the Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and Gay Rights movements) and their successes and risks. The workshop is highly interactive with the facilitator giving context, posing questions, and framing discussion. Participants should be motivated to experiment, brainstorm, and take risks. There are no easy answers to these challenges, which is why we need to confront them head on. Ninety minutes or half day. Also available as a webinar.
Lights! Camera! Action!: Let’s Make a Video
Land Trust Alliance Rally at Home, October 2020
Delaware River Watershed Initiative Winter Gathering, Blue Bell, PA, February 2020
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Raleigh, NC, October 2019
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Pittsburgh, PA, October 2018
Vital Lands Illinois Summit, Champaign, IL, January 2018
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Denver, CO, October 2017
In this highly interactive, hands-on workshop, we make a 3-minute video from start to finish. We work in teams to create talking points. We tape the video right in the room, supplementing what we shoot with prerecorded footage. We edit the video in iMovie, projected on the room’s screen so that everyone can participate or see how editing decisions are made. Participants learn how to get the best results with the least investment of up-front resources. Content includes tips on staging, directing, recording, lighting, and being comfortable in front of the camera. Ninety minutes or half day. (Also available as a webinar.)
The Changing Face of America: Effective Messages for New Audiences
Land Trust Alliance Webinar, January 2019
“We love hiking, but we didn’t think there was anywhere to go hiking in the Midwest.” There is a huge, but ignored, audience in urban dwellers for the connection to nature and open spaces offered by land trusts. This workshop challenges participants to look beyond the usual vocal supporters to city dwellers (a young, diverse, and growing demographic). We identify back-to-basics messaging to reach those who like nature, but aren’t connected to place. We also work on strategies to develop messaging that promotes landscapes of varied sizes, descriptions, and accessibility to all people. Ninety minutes. Also available as a webinar.
Communicating with an Urban Public
Land Trust Alliance Rally, Minneapolis, MN, October 2016
If asked, people will generally express a high regard people for nature, but that doesn’t always translate into action. So how do we motivate audiences who are new to conservation? We develop messages that will move people from abstract “good feelings” to concrete actions. The webinar is highly interactive, so be prepared to experiment, brainstorm, and take risks as you transform how you talk about your work. Ninety minutes. Also available as a webinar.