Everyone wants to see a bright side, and that’s especially understandable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Environmentalists are commenting on reduced carbon emissions as people practice social distancing. We’re seeing videos of swans floating in the canals of Venice and wild goats roaming British streets. Those scenes are inspirational for sure, mood-lifters during a difficult time.
But there’s a flipside to the pandemic’s effect on environmental and wildlife conservation. People are traveling less, so conservation efforts dependent on outside tourism or visiting scientists are suffering. As people worry over a looming recession and high unemployment, donations to environmental foundations are also taking a hit.
And there are more impacts. For example, BirdLife International recently added COVID-19 information to their website, stating:
2020 was meant to be the ‘super year for nature’: over the coming months, the world’s governments were scheduled to meet through the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to thrash out the targets countries need to meet to tackle the biodiversity crisis. Two rounds of negotiation were planned for May and July before the final Biodiversity Summit this October in Kunming, China. Unfortunately, only this week the CBD announced that they have postponed meetings over the coming months, with others moving online. All of which is likely to delay the summit, along with the global plan for nature that could save the planet.
How can foundations and conservation efforts keep moving forward during this time? The determination of their leaders is one element that’s helped environmental groups endure. An experienced environmental public relations agency can also help. Here’s how.
Keep Your Donors Engaged
Environmental donors have a lot on their minds right now. Financial anxieties, worries about their own health and more may be grabbing their attention at this time, and rightly so. But there will come a time when their attention and financial ability brings them back to you, so it’s vital to keep them engaged.
This can be accomplished through emails, blogs, video content and social media. Let them know you understand what’s going on, that your efforts will continue, and that their favorite cause will be waiting for them when they achieve a new normal.
Join the Conversation
There is a lot of talk in the media right now surrounding the environment, wildlife and COVID-19. For example, exotic-animal wet markets are drawing attention as the probable Ground Zero for the pandemic. And many people might not know the plight of conservation organizations right now.
An environmental public relations agency can help you join that global conversation, positioning you as a thought leader and getting the word out about your cause.
The public relations pros at Orange Orchard don’t just have experience with environmental foundations. We believe in their importance for our planet and the creatures who share it with us. We’re ready to help you get through this time and come back stronger than ever. If you would like to learn more about the services we offer, just call (865) 977-1973 or contact Orange Orchard online today.