ID: 1756
Presenting Author: Yoyo Mok
Session: 713 - Technical Outreach and Storytelling: Key to Investing in Biodiversity
Status: pending
This case study in Hong Kong highlights best practices for leveraging technical outreach and narrative-driven communication to drive biodiversity investments and conservation actions.
Effective conservation strategies are vital to counter worsening biodiversity threats. This presentation shows how integrating technical outreach with compelling narratives can attract and sustain biodiversity project investments. Using the "Save Our Shells: Repurposing Shells to Reduce Landfill Waste and Restore Marine Habitats" project in Hong Kong, it showcases the power of combined communication methods in driving marine habitat restoration.
Supported by the Marine Ecology Enhancement Fund (MEEF), established by the Airport Authority (AA) as part of the Airport Expansion EIA Study, the initiative aimed to enhance marine ecology and fisheries in Hong Kong's western waters and the Pearl River Estuary. Collaborating with 20 partners, including restaurants and oyster farmers, the project successfully collected 41.9 tons of discarded shells to restore 4000m² of shellfish reefs.
Strategies included dive site-scoping, shell recycling events, and public talks, paired with compelling narratives that translated scientific data into engaging messages. Social media, promotional videos, and conference participation helped raise awareness and community involvement.
The findings emphasize the role of storytelling in making scientific insights relevant to societal challenges, thereby attracting investment and support. The case study presents best practices for combining technical outreach and impactful storytelling to drive biodiversity investment and conservation action. It aims to create guidelines for future initiatives, ensuring sustainable and effective conservation efforts.
Yoyo Mok, representing Hong Kong Institute of Environmental Impact Assessment, is an environmental consultant specializing in impact assessments and sustainable finance.