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LOCAL Saturday 31 OctOber 2020

Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA):

Supporting communication officers of
protected area management organizations

through social media workshop

KRALENDIJK, BONAIRE — of the topic. However, the ence especially with social
The virtual social media question remains: how do media to ensure the pub-
workshop delivered by Evi- we communicate effec- lic is aware that the park
ta Sanches of MPOWR was tively to others that nature activities have not ceased
coordinated through the and our dependence on it despite the harsh results of
Dutch Caribbean Nature are extremely intertwined? the pandemic.
Alliance (DCNA) in order to DCNA’s member organizations- Aruba National Parks
support the communication Social media is an effective “Effective online commu- Foundation, STINAPA Bonaire, CARMABI Curaçao, STENAPA
strategies of the protected communication tool used nication, especially on so- St. Eustatius, the Saba Conservation Foundation and the Sint
area management organi- by the parks to display daily cial media, is nowadays Maarten Nature Foundation- during the online social media
zations of the six Dutch Ca- activities to the community extremely important for the workshop.
ribbean islands, started on and engage with followers. protected area manage- Bussel- Research Commu- engagement.
Friday, October 23rd. Besides it inspires a sense of ment organizations to make nication Liaison, DCNA. “Education through com-
community ownership and sure the island residents munication about main-
Communication of nature responsibility which fosters and visitors are not only One of the core tasks of taining the quality of the
conservation can be a the spirit of conservation informed but also inspired DCNA is to promote and environment play an ex-
daunting task due to the getting more and more and understand conser- facilitate capacity build- tremely important role in
fact that issues are often persons involved. Due to vation activities, rules and ing, knowledge exchange, conservation in 2020. The
associated with the status COVID-19, restrictions have regulations. Besides, social training and cooperation. social media communica-
and trends of ecosystems taken their toll on the Dutch media is a valuable edu- Through this project, the tion workshop was helpful
within protected areas Caribbean National Parks. cational tool to increase communication officers to me since I learnt new
and rules and regulations. Challenges include on how awareness about the im- have received training tools which can increase
This may not always be the to communicate appropri- portance of our unique about Facebook & Insta- social media engagement
most appealing to a larger ate park rules to the public and fragile nature to the gram Marketing. After the in a more efficient man-
audience. To communi- (e.g. social distancing on future social and econom- training, the participants ner.” Rissa Rampersad,
cate effectively, one must hiking trails or even in the ic well-being of our islands have the knowledge and Education & Communica-
consider its audience and, parks’ offices). The effects and fighting off issues that tools to increase brand tions Officer, Saba Conser-
naturally, the relevance include more online pres- affect them.”- Tineke van awareness and customer vation Foundation.q