Does anyone have any ideas on how best to tackle promotion of sustainable behaviour in a frontier type town? The small town (pop 5000) is in a remote location in western Tasmania. History of mining, forestry and fisheries....now however, the main source of income for the town is tourism. There are no community based environmental groups and previous attempts to form such groups have met with marked opposition from locals. The specific issue we are working on is marine rubbish and the harbour on which this town sits also borders the Tasmanian SW Wilderness World Heritage area. So far we have national parks officers, salmon farms, fishermen and one local tourism operator onboard with the program, but if anyone has any ideas on ways to engage community members in a town such as this....ideas would be most welcome......thanks
Fiona Ewing
Mrs
Oceanwatch Australia
Australia
Promoting Sustainable Behaviour in a 'Frontier' Type Town
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Fiona,
Whatever meets with opposition, don't do. Far be it from me to say what is meaningful and motivational for the citizens of this town -- ask them. I wonder if there might not be some existing group that would find itself in agreement with the aims you wish to promote.
Robert Rowell
educator
United States
Hi Fiona,
You have a task ahead of you but an awesome opportunity at the same time.
Obviously you have some people conforming to the task of not litering and some we would call non-conformers, those that currently lack the knowledge of actions by littering. I believe it was Craddle Mountain that faced similar problems with rubbish but your National Parks Officers should be able to locate the study and outcome. What you need to focus on is the positive outcome of not littering as a message or theme but reinforced with a harsh "face slap" awakener. You will need a combination.
The study was performed by a prof from the states, I've included his details below and this is ALL he does. He may be able to send you details or at least give you people to contact at a State level as they are the ones who bring him out.
If it's issues surrounding pollutants, then by all means contact me and I can provide further details. Here's the contact details for the study guy.
Cheers
Sam H. Ham, Ph.D.
Professor and Director
Center for International Training & Outreach (CITO)
Department of Conservation Social Sciences
College of Natural Resources
University of Idaho
Moscow, ID 83844-1139 USA
[email protected]
Stewart Hubber
Australia
Generational change will be a major key here.
Start with Cub Scouts etc. Primary schools.
The video "The Story of Stuff" with Annie Lenard is a great tool for kids and adults (available on You tube.
Russell Anderson
Australia
Thanks kindly Russell, Wanda and Robert for your generous advice.
I have already begun doing some work with the schools....there is a 'sustainable tourism group' that I have been trying to tap into...however no sporting associations or clubs that are resident in the area...and I agree with Russell....generational change will be the key....patience is a virtue!
Kind regards...Fiona
Fiona Ewing
Mrs
Oceanwatch Australia
Australia
Hello Fiona,
Most people want the same things. Work that's important to them with a good income. A nice place to live. The 4 pillars of sustainability-healthy environment, good economy, social life, culture.
Most of us reach out to 'others like us'. If you're environmentally oriented, you go meet up with the 'environment club' or 'the sustainability group. That's o.k. but it immediately labels you. So if you meet with that group, I suggest you also go out and meet with and get to know the 'anglers and hunters' group and the forestry folks, etc.
I'd also suggest finding out and meeting with the 'community leaders'. Those are very often not the elected officials, but they're the influential people in the community that everyone knows and respects. Find out who they are, and go meet with them, and discuss what your'e interested in, and why (economy, environment, culture, social) and ask them for their views on it.
Norm
Norm Ruttan
President
iWasteNot Systems
Canada
www.iwastenotsystems.com
Thanks Norm
much appreciated.....not living there makes things a little difficult in that regard, but not insurmountable! Thanks for your valued advice
Kind Regards
Fiona
Fiona Ewing
Mrs
Oceanwatch Australia
Australia
I do public outreach for Oakland. What works for me no matter the population is to determine what is important to the population and how your initiative fits into that. Usually it is economic and fear of losing jobs - environmental initiatives are often called job killers. Find what makes them tick and tailor your message to address that. If tourism makes jobs, then talk about how litter adversely affects tourism and give examples. If they worry about job loss, talk about how new jobs are created by environmental stewardship.
Wanda Redic
Recycling Specialist
City of Oakland
United States
www.oaklandrecycles.com