Communicating Ecosystem Services (CES)
Project Overview|
CES Web Site |
Each tool kit focuses on a specific ecosystem service, such as pollination. They provide expert-reviewed background information on the service as well as materials for public dissemination and general tips for developing presentations or writing articles for non-scientific audiences. These materials will be useful when a scientist wishes to address, for example, your local media, community groups, state and federal legislators, or other audiences. Although intended for people with a scientific background, no special expertise in a particular ecosystem service is required to use these materials.
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Tool Kits focusing on water purification and pollination have been completed.
In an effort to provide the greatest access to the project materials, we have also launched a Communicating Ecosystem Services website (www.esa.org/ecoservices). At this site you can view and download the tool kits -— including useful presentation/visual aids not available in hard copy versions -— and stay up-to-date on project events and activities.
THE ROLE OF SCIENTISTS
Scientists can play an important role in making the importance of ecosystem services known to policy makers and the public. We believe that the science behind ecosystem services can help elucidate the link between the actions people take and the effects these actions have on the things they care about -- such as clean air and water, fresh produce, and scenic beauty.
Although there is still much to learn about ecological processes, substantial understanding of many ecosystem services and the scientific principles underlying them already exists. By delivering this information in an engaging, credible and persuasive manner, scientists can convey to the public the irreplaceable value of these services and the importance to our health and well-being of protecting them. One main objective of the project is to enable scientists to fulfill this role.
Take Action!
Use the tool kits to help spread the word about the importance of ecosystem services.- Give a presentation in an academic setting or to a local community group
- Meet with or write to your congressional representatives
- Write an LTE or op-ed for your local newspaper
Download the tool kits from the project website or order your hard copy by sending us an email at ssi@ucsusa.org.
Communicating Ecosystem Services Poster
The Communicating Ecosystem Services Poster (2.5' X 1.5') introduces four ecosystem services: Pollination, Flood Damage Control, Forest Carbon Storage, and Water Purification. This beautifully designed poster, featuring the project logos and color photographs, highlights key facts about each of these services. It also conveys the importance of ecosystems to all life on earth.
These posters are available – free-of-charge – to SSI members interested in using them for outreach purposes. If you would like to obtain a copy, please send an email to ssi@ucsusa.org to the attention of Jason Mathers.
Click here to download a pdf version of the Communicating Ecosystem Services Poster
TESTIMONIALS
Still not convinced that this is the right project for you? Read what others have to say about the Communicating Ecosystem Services project.
"Students and the general public desperately need information about ecosystem services because they just don't know that there are such services, nor how important these services are to human welfare. The Ecosystem Services tool kit developed by the UCS and ESA is an eye-opener.
In the classroom, students were stimulated by the presentation materials to probe more deeply into ecosystem services concepts. I also used the tool kit to develop an article for the local newspaper that was well received. This is a package you can use to educate people on a subject that is so important to their lives, but which they are likely to have never thought about."
Dr. Ed Rykiel (SSI Member), Washington State University
"Awesome compilation! I've been collecting references and general info on pollinators for about five years, and the tool kit included all the key references in my file and many new ones. This resource has been a great time saver for me."
Sara Simonson (SSI Member), Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory
ISSUE BRIEFING
SSI sponsored a special issue briefing on the ecosystem services tool kits in September 2000. Co-project managers Nancy Cole from UCS and Rhonda Kranz from the Ecological Society of America moderated the briefing. Sara Simonson, from the Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, spoke about her personal experience using one of the tool kits in a real life situation. Sara participated in our project test phase by incorporating information from the tool kit into pollinator tours at a local wildflower festival in Colorado. A short discussion with teleconference participants about creative and effective ways to use the tool kits to communicate with the public followed Sara’s talk.
The second part of the issue briefing featured Paul Fain, UCS’s Press Secretary, and UCS advocacy expert, Michelle Robinson. Paul presented tips and techniques for communicating the concept of ecosystem services effectively to the media. Michelle focused on useful ways to have meaningful and constructive interactions with your congressional representatives. The briefing concluded with an opportunity for questions from participants.
You can download and listen to all or part of the Issue Briefing by clicking on the items below (all times approximate).
Complete Issue Briefing (84 Minutes Long)
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Introduction (8 minutes)
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Sara Simonson’s experience using the tool kit (9 minutes)
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Paul Fain’s media presentation (22 minutes)
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Michelle Robinson’s policy presentation (28 minutes)
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Question and Answer period (7 minutes)
