Tag: Social Media

Can nature blogging make a difference?

I have written before about the virtues of blogging from a personal perspective and the ample benefits it brings in terms of personal development, networking and general enjoyment. As such, it will come as no surprise to learn that I thoroughly enjoy blogging and, in turn, derive great pleasure from reading the virtual musings of others. Recently, however, I have found myself pondering the value of it all.

I, personally, know many conservationists who also identify as bloggers, and on the reverse, know many bloggers who also call themselves conservationists. It is these people, those who do not necessarily spent numerous hours in the field committing grandiose acts in aid of nature, who are the subject of this post. Can these people, those who spend the majority of their time at a keyboard as opposed to their local nature reserve, call themselves conservationists with a clear conscience? Well, yes, I believe so.

One of the most common questions I receive from individuals curious about my blog is what difference does it make? Well, I do not profess to have the best blog on the internet nor claim to be the purveyor of the most interesting content; though I do believe that blogging can and does make a positive difference. I believe that the webs growing community of eco-bloggers have a huge role to play as we strive to safeguard the natural world, and whatever the particular theme of a blog, believe all forms of virtual commentary are important.

Do nature bloggers make a difference? Well, that depends on the content they produce. Some endeavour to inform the wider public of worrying trends in wildlife populations, highlight practical conservation efforts and generate discussion around pressing environmental issues. All of which help raise vital awareness and may, if done correctly, lead to a shift in reader attitudes, a shift which may itself inspire direct action on behalf of nature. Perhaps readers will feel compelled, upon hearing of the decline of a particular species, to take action on its behalf; or perhaps others, after heeding a particular message, will take the time to rewrite and reword it so to inform their own networks. Thus aiding in the dissemination of vital messages and increasing wider awareness.

The virtues of print in this regard are widely known when it comes to influencing public opinion, but with time progressing towards a distinctly more virtual age, blogging, in my opinion, has become just as important when it comes to getting the message out there. Whatever that message may be. Something which rings equally true for more traditionally dry, educational content. Indeed, the recent surge in #Scicomm bloggers is most welcome as scientific writers begin to make technical content accessible and, more importantly, palatable for the wider online community.

On the other side of the coin, we have those that dedicate their time to highlighting the beauty and allure of nature. These, those blogs that detail personal adventures in the natural world and muse on the appeal of species and wild spaces, are by far the most numerous blogs out there. Just look at the thriving BBC Wildlife Magazine Local Patch Reporters thread. While these people may stay clear of tackling the controversial, they are, in my opinion, of equal importance when it comes to conservation.

By highlighting the beauty to be seen in the countryside and sharing their own experiences in nature, eco-bloggers have the same effect as a well-written book or expertly presented documentary: they foster an appreciation of the natural world. Nature writing in general, online or otherwise, has the power to motivate people to seek out wild intrigue, to visit new places and experience new spectacles. Something which, in turn, gives rise to endless possibility. Perhaps those propelled into the field off the back of an expertly worded article will find their calling and decide to etch out a career in environmental protection? Perhaps they will decide to take with them their kids, their parents, partners or friends, thus sharing the joys of nature with others and instigating a shift to a more sympathetic, appreciative attitude. Is this sense, nature blogging is a vital piece of the puzzle when it comes to combatting nature deficit disorder.

Giving more thought to the matter, the virtues of nature blogging are hard to ignore. Blogs can motivate and inform, just look at the blogs of Mark Avery and RPS, while also generating discussion and bringing underreported issues to the public eye – a prime example of this coming from Thinking Country, managed by Ben Eagle. Blogs can educate, advise and inspire, all while encouraging others to think more, discuss and, more importantly, act on environmental issues. While nature blogging remains, for the time being at least, a niche activity; the possibilities of this particular pastime are limitless.

While my own blog is very a much a hotchpotch of various varieties of writing – nature writing, press releases, reviews, trip reports and much more – I would like to think that in some small way, I slot into the picture described above.

Ticking along nicely…

I have been rather quiet on the blog of late, at least when compared to my usual, rather vocal self. This is due, at least in part, to poor internet reception at my current place of residence – the Farne Islands – but also due to an increasing workload. With my MSc Wildlife Management course reaching its conclusion and various other occurrences eating up my free time of late. Still, silence on the virtual front should not imply that things have been dull, and as it happens, things are ticking over rather nicely. Here is a short life update for those who regularly tune into this site…

Dissertation. I am currently working to complete my postgraduate thesis entitled Comparison of monitoring techniques used to predict Atlantic Puffin breeding density. This is taking place, as I mentioned earlier, on the fabulous Farne Islands – a site I have visited yearly since boyhood and one that I have come to wholeheartedly adore over the years. I have been made to feel most welcome by the National Trust rangers on the islands, and while I cannot disclose too much at this point, my project is going well. Spirits lifted further by the chance to observe some truly mesmerising wildlife in one of Britain’s most idyllic locations.

Fundraising. I am still in the process of fundraising for the BTO Curlew Appeal and my sponsored three peaks challenge will be taking place later in the Summer. For those looking to donate, I am now only £195 short of my personal £1000 target and remain optimistic that I can hit this prior to the event. Alongside friend and fellow conservationist Sacha Elliott, I will be giving a talk at Boldon Castle this weekend regarding my fondness for this species, our walk, and, of course, life as a relatively young environmentalist. I look forward to maybe seeing a few of you there.

Writing. While my blogging here has been minimal over the past fortnight, I continue to contribute to my regional wildlife column on the website of Northumberland Wildlife Trust. I also recently authored a rather lengthy piece about moths within my home county that will feature in the trust’s quarterly Roebuck magazine, very soon.

Social media. Having enjoyed a splendid tour with them last year – one in which I enjoyed an eclectic mix of regional specialities from Pine Martens and Ptarmagin to Red Deer and Bottlenose Dolphins – I am now managing the social media activity of UK Wildlife Safaris. It is a pleasure to join such a dedicated, enthusiastic team of ecologists and I would advise anyone to consider UKWS for the next holiday. At least if you are fond of great wildlife, food, lavish accommodation and surreal vistas. A write-up of our recent Mull trip can be found here.

New Nature. The youth nature magazine continues to go from strength to strength, bringing the thoughts and views of Britain’s young naturalists to an increasingly large audience. Our June issue is set for publication very soon, and I am currently in the process of recruiting a new Creative Director to help design the magazine and take us to new and exciting heights in the future.

As you can see, things have been wonderfully hectic recently. The above post going without mentioning the fabulous wildlife I have enjoyed of late, a small sample of which can be seen below. To say I am dreading the enevitable bout of post-university unemployement set to come my way very soon would be an understatement, though I am at least feeling optimistic given recent developments.

Nature Blogging: Why Bother?

One of the most common questions raised whenever someone stumbles across this blog, particularly from those of a non-environmental background is: why bother? Surely it takes up too much time, provides very little in the way of a reward and is generally rather tedious. A good question, actually, though one I struggle to answer on a regular basis, the issue broached equally as often by nature-lovers, many of whom appear baffled by the notion of writing about wildlife, as opposed to watching it in the field 24/7. Well, I do, in fact, spent a great deal of time watching wildlife. As well as writing about it. Though such conversations have indeed caused me to ponder, let’s say, just why I dedicate so much time to blogging about nature. And, for that matter, aspire to one day make a living from amalgamating words and wildlife.

Nature blogging, for me, is a mode of learning. And, more the case in recent years, my mind now scrambles to make mental notes of every aspect of an animal or place, in order to write about it in detail later. Where once I merely watched wildlife, appreciative yet not learning overly much, I now find myself scrutinising many many aspects of species and habitats in detail. From the behaviour of a Willow Tit at the nest to the variance in bill sizes of the innumerable Dunlin pottering around my local estuary. Such observations, more often than not, raise questions. Questions that will niggle until I head online, to the library or to the pages of other nature writers in order to answer them, thus learning a little more every day. Similarly, when asked or inspired to write on a certain topic, research must be conducted in order to avoid sounding like a babbling idiot. I honestly believe I have learnt more over the years from blogging than I ever did during my three years as an undergraduate.

My blog is my diary. Many people, particularly birders and naturalists, maintain a journal – often a jaded, tattered notebook, treasured above all other worldly possessions. And in which they frequently record anything from seasonal trends in wildlife – the first swallow of Spring, or Redwing of autumn – to memorable encounters and anything else they observed on their travels. Keeping an online diary is no different. Blogging about nature allows me to keep track of my sightings, observe trends in my local wildlife and record the general highs and lows of a life in nature. Even now I find myself looking back, sometimes fondly, other times not so much, on ventures I posted online in the past, and will doubtless do the same for many years to come. If only to reminisce. All of this, of course, goes without stating the more personal aspects of a journal – some of my final outings with my Grandmother, the lady who first introduced me to the joys of wildlife, are recorded online and are deeply treasured. Nature blogging has many perks, but above all else, it is a highly personal affair, not too dissimilar to maintaining a diary. Though this diary lies plain for the world to see.

As well as acting as a journal, nature blogs also provide a means by which to inspire others, with this inspiration manifesting itself in a number of forms. From direct actions undertaken to protect nature, to simple forays outdoors to enjoy the beauty that abounds around us. There are a great number of inspirational nature bloggers online, with some of my favourites including Mark Avery, Ben Eagle and Sophie-May Lewis, all of whom inspire me greatly whenever they take to the keyboard. I do not count myself among these people, not yet at least, but hope that from time to time my blog may to cause people to think harder about a certain topic, or visit a new place. The simple act of prompting a person to enjoy and discover wildlife in an unfamiliar setting is highly rewarding in itself.

In addition to the previously mentioned points, blogging also provides a gateway to a vibrant community of talented, incredibly friendly individuals. I mentioned some of my favourite bloggers earlier in this post but there are an awful lot more out there – more every day it seems, hurrah. Writing a blog provides an opportunity to engage with other bloggers, to trade ideas, to promote one another and, above all else, provides an opportunity to make friends. Indeed, many of the people I am lucky enough to know at present first became known to me after commenting on my blog, or when I luckily stumbled across their own. All of these people boast similar interests, thus blogging, for me, has proven a real game changer when it comes to dragging myself out of the reclusive shell familiar, sadly, to many with an interest in nature.

Finally, and I leave this until last because it is the least important, in my opinion at least. Blogging is also a great way to bring about new opportunities for yourself, and a well-written or simply enthusiastic article has the potential to open up a whole new set of horizons. For me, simply sharing my thoughts on my humble online journal has progressed, on occasion, to the opportunity to contribute to magazines, books and, of course, the blogs of other people. It has lead to day trips, volunteer work, links to notable groups and even the odd press-trip. And through these opportunities, each of which I am horribly grateful for, blogging has greatly boosted my confidence. Both as a writer and an aspiring naturalist. It has helped hone my ambitions for the future and given me the reassurance I feel I needed to “grab the bull by the horns” and make things happen for myself.

The reasons set out above detail precisely why I, personally, maintain a nature blog. Obviously, every writer puts pen to paper for a different reason – figuratively speaking, I seldom use a pen – and not all will do so for the reasons listed in the post. I do, however, hope to have answered the question I began with. And moving forward I intend to use this post as a means to appease those who raise such topics in the future.