Educating about Protection

13 Jun Educating about Protection

Last week, I wrote about how two words – “educate” and “protect” – are used by land trusts in describing what they do but that serve to further distance themselves from the some of the same people they wish to serve – or at least partner with. (See Othering.)

In response to the post, Carol asked, “Great article but what’s the solution?” This week’s post will help answer that question.

One alternative to the word “educate” was offered by Lisa in another comment, “We use the term ‘engagement.’ How do you engage with your members, with your volunteers, with the public? It’s a two-way street. It is important to meet people where they are, and try to understand them, then you can have a dialogue that is respectful.”

I like that a lot. I also like the words “discuss” and “explore.” Each of these words avoids the inferred hierarchy of “educate.” We are equals. I have knowledge, skills, and tools I can bring to the table and share. So do you. Let’s spend some time together to explore how we might work together.

It seems to me that the word “educate” stems from an attitude that we “know” something of value that the other person does not. In fact, we may be right. We may also be wrong. We’ve all seen the line graph heading upward, only to be revealed later as a temporary blip in an otherwise downward trend. Also, the other person may know something of value that we do not. Will we be open to contrary information, will we be equally open to learning, and will we be able to find common values if our attitude going in is as educator? Perhaps we could offer to “discuss” and “explore” instead.

Alternatives to the word “protect” are somewhat less satisfying. “Conserve,” “preserve,” and “guard” all come to mind, but “preserve” comes with its own baggage, and “conserve” and “guard” are equally ill-defined. Guard from what?

I think we should continue to use the word “protect,” but that we should always provide context for that protection. “Protection from subdivision and development” is very different from “protection from habitat destruction and resource extraction.” And “protection for natural area ecosystems” is different from “protection for affordable agriculture.”

Also, protection should be seen as an active term in the context of system management rather than as a museum-style preservation term. Anyone who has had to deal with aggressive non-native species will know what I mean.

In both cases, the words make assumptions that imply a hierarchy. They treat current landowners and even the general public as “others.” This is what Vu Le refers to as “othering.” We have science and technology and GIS, and we’re well positioned to show “them” exactly what to do in their own best interest. They just need to be educated, and if we listen hard enough, we will find places where our solutions will fit their problems.

But this blog is about communicating with donors. In many of our communications we treat members and donors as “others” too. What we can do with donors is apply the we/us/our filter to our writing. Here’s how:

In all donor communications – solicitations, thank-you letters, web material, newsletter articles, and everything else – highlight all the occurrences of the words “we,” “us,” and “our.” Now ask, “Does the pronoun explicitly include the reader?” If the answer is No, consider rewriting the sentence.

We need all kinds of people to make land conservation happen. We need land protection specialists, attorneys, scientists, administrators, and volunteers. And we need members and donors, too. I’m not saying put donors on a pedestal or inflate their importance, as some seem afraid of. But I do think they should not be “othered.”

Here are several examples (with rewrites) I have pulled out of my recent mailbox:

“Help us carry out these programs and our other vital work.”

You can help carry out these programs and other vital work.

“We are writing to tell you how much we value your support. It has helped us achieve so much over the past two decades, and we miss hearing from you.”

I am writing to let you know that your support has achieved made much of this work possible over the past two decades. I hope to hear from you soon.

“With your help, we will make strides in improving the health of the Bay as we continue our efforts to protect this vital and cherished natural resource.”

Working together, we will make strides in improving the health of the Bay and protect this vital and cherished natural resource.

In each of these cases, becoming conscious is the first step. The more we see it, the more we will see it. And the better chance we will have of making an even greater difference.

Cheers,

-da

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel courtesy of Stocksnap.io.