Hi Dhiya,

I think that citizen science can play an important role in what you are trying to achieve. The key - from my perspective - is to start with the citizens first. Do some research with them first. Find out what they know already, what their misconceptions are, and which methods and channels for communicating are most important to them. Ask them who they trust for environmental information. Then you can start to develop your communication plans, based on what you know about your target audience.

You can also ask them what sort of questions they have about local environmental issues, and help them to do the research to answer those questions. The GardenRoots project in Arizona, USA, is a  great example to look at.

That's just a couple of suggestions for starters. Hope it's of some help!

Kind regards,

Vicki

Hi Dr Vicki,

Thanks for your reply. Yes, we are trying to practice Citizen Science here and we have challenge in that cause here in Malaysia it is still new subject to public. Thus, need more suggest and advise from experts all over the world on how to make it practical to community and sustainability of the practices. 

Much appreciate on your idea.

Thanks!

Dhiya

No problem.

You might find some useful resources in the Citizen Science Association's website:

http://citizenscience.org/

and you could send a message to experts in the CSA network via their email list.

Also, look for additional resources at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's website:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/page.aspx?pid=1663#projectHighlights=4

Good luck!

field campaigning, digital media communication and awareness program. 

Hi Dhiya

In my opinion, you need to make a social network  "Citizens" (website, portal, etc.) where you will be able to share an information, discuss an actual problems, to publish a materials and documents. Then first, people will be aware of the situation, and, secondly, people feel that they are Community. It is a real social force which can influence the issue.

Best wishes and good luck

Elena

Thanks all for the feedback! Surely will apply all the advise given. Thanks! Wish me luck too!

Well, I think the reason that people do not appreciate much on the environment is because they cannot imagine how the environment or the importance of environment can directly be related to their daily life. For example, it is very hard for an urban dweller lives in a developed country to imagine how serious of the extinction of a species in a rural area to their daily living. However, an urban dweller is much wiling to support the conservation program regarding the preservation of a small scale urban green space which located within their neighborhood, because they have direct contact with such urban green space, such as conducting physical exercise, recreation etc.

As such, if we would like to ensure our message is successfully delivered to the public with regard to the importance of the environment, we need to translate the importance of the environment into layman term, and show the direct relationship between the environment to people's daily living. Only then the conservation program can be successfully conducted. Thanks.