Unearthodox Learning Festival: Implementing diversity, equity and inclusivity for conservation

Unearthodox Learning Festival: Practical Strategies for Conservationists

Unearthodox Learning Festival: Leveraging New Digital Technologies

Unearthodox Learning Festival - Challenging the Conservation Status Quo

Reflections on Redesigning Conservation

Insights from the Future of Conservation NGOs Innovation Challenge

Impact Hub partnered with Unearthodox to design and run the Future of Conservation NGOs Innovation Challenge. Bruno Lacey is the Programme Manager for Impact Hub and ran the incubation and co-learning programme alongside the Unearthodox team. He reflects here on being part of the process.

Being part of the Future of Conservation NGOs project allowed me to look under the hood of the conservation sector, and what I saw was both worrying and inspirational. With a background in anthropology, I was familiar with many of the problems that the programme has sought to address such as colonial mindsets and structures, and silo mentalities.

But, I admit, I was dismayed to be encountering the same structural issues I had studied 20 years ago as ‘The Challenges of Development’ being the status quo in the conservation sector of today. So it was a privilege to work with people trying to disrupt business as usual and build something new in its stead.

In trying to express my reflections I wrote long passages on a range of topics but, in the end, admitted defeat and ended up with a list. So, here are some insights and reflections from the programme, which hopefully evolve from the worrying to the inspirational:

  1. I learned about the scale of the challenges. I had considered myself pretty well informed about the crises of biodiversity loss and environmental breakdown, but had deliberately limited my exposure to bad news until it became my job to understand conservation and I started subscribing to various publications that helped me understand what we lose every day. 
  2. It seems that the large, multinational organisations capable of addressing multiple, interlocking challenges in a joined-up way are trying to do so using outdated and sometimes counterproductive methods. In the process, they alienate stakeholders at all levels of the value chain (donors large and small, academia, delivery partners and ‘beneficiary’ communities) and fracture efforts to deliver the integrated, multifaceted solutions we need.
  3. Academia, in many cases, is not working. Too often it does not nurture the mindset nor the skills required to tackle the complexity of our challenges. Given the urgency of our challenges, encouraging young environmentalists to focus three of their prime years only on lectures and essays does not seem like the optimum approach.
  4. To fix what is broken will not be enough. We need to build regenerative and just organisations that construct and lead innovative public discourses and engender life-affirming socioeconomic ecosystems instead of merely responding to the destructive death economy of contemporary capitalism. 
  5. Money must be mobilised. Building and developing new approaches requires significant investments and, from what I could see, the funding landscape is ill equipped  to address the scale of our challenges in biodiversity conservation and regeneration.  
  6. We must design and unleash ways to pay people to do good things. Too much of our economy pays people to be indifferent or to harm and destroy. We must make material security and affluence available to everyone in ways that create healthy ecosystems instead of destroying them.
  7. As such, supporting the growth of values-driven businesses is an essential means to deliver material security and affluence for humans, while enriching the natural world.

So how do we do all of that? This programme and its participants are instructive examples in this regard, and they helped me to articulate some more concrete suggestions for how the narrative above might be realised.

1. Circularity, as championed by our challenge winner Kyklos, is an essential ingredient in building sustainable ecosystems. But it currently lacks the ruthless efficiency that linear models deploy, allowing them to capture markets through low prices. Unless policy frameworks explicitly oblige companies to account for externalities (such as the social value and biodiversity net gain approaches in the UK), or oblige consumers to pay for or be rewarded for their choices (like plastic bag taxes or urban mobility schemes), it’s hard to see how circular supply chains will compete with the linear mainstream, at least in the absence of moonshot technological breakthroughs, such as alternatives to plastic. Since there is plenty of money to be made in technological innovation, grantmakers and donors should probably focus on policy as the key lever to making circularity the norm.

2. Emotional skills count for a lot. Schools, on the whole wherever you are in the world, don’t do a great job at teaching emotional literacy. So, as adults, we have more conflicts, and more severe ones, than we might if only we were equipped with the tools to resolve our differences through negotiation and compromise. But it can be hard to fund the sort of work that our challenge winner Human Nature does because the impact journey is necessarily opaque. There’s no real way to measure the extent to which the emotional literacy and diplomatic skills of an individual contributed to the small print of a policy or the outcome of business negotiations. But if we are to build integrated and regenerative ecosystems where humans and nature thrive, we humans need to improve some of the key skills that define our species: communication, collaboration and creativity. These are things that we learn better from fellow humans than AI; so as technology transforms old ways of educating, these are the skills that new pedagogies should enshrine.

3. For all the diversity of people and projects in this programme, our work together showed me there’s no escaping some common features of the entrepreneurial journey:

Bringing all of this together, hopefully, one could imagine prescribing more editions of the Future of Conservation NGOs Innovation Challenge as a worthwhile endeavour. My advice to Unearthodox, or to any party wishing to take forward the work of challenging the conservation status quo, would be to repeat the challenge, perhaps focusing thematically on policy, technology or education; on specific ecosystems or regions; or on specific participants such as women-led or locally-led innovations. This would allow stronger unity within the cohort of winners, more mutual support and learning, more focused external stakeholder engagement and more insightful, medium-term impact tracking as sectoral trends evolve and the participants’ paths unfold. But even as a one-off challenge, I celebrate its successes and am very grateful for the opportunity to have been part of such an inspirational community.

The Future of Philanthropy and Biodiversity: perspectives and pathways

Resource Library for the Future of Conservation

Future of Philanthropy for Biodiversity: Resource Library

Future of Conservation NGOs: Resource Library

Conservation in the Digital Age - How the Wildlife Trust is Going Digital

Alice Kershaw is the Head of Digital Transformation at The Wildlife Trusts. She specialises in change, transformation and creating a digital culture that benefits all users. She supports the Wildlife Trust federation in the ‘root and branch digital transformation’ elements of their collective 2030 strategy. In this interview with Unearthodox, as part of the Digital Disruption and The Future of Conservation project, she discusses the Wildlife Trusts' digital transformation strategy, including their engagement methods, challenges they face and technologies they are exploring.

Could you describe the Wildlife Trust's digital transformation strategy, including its goals and expected outcomes?

We've adopted a strategy called "Bringing Nature Back", which all 47 wildlife trusts in the UK federation have co-created and endorsed. The strategy comprises three goals, five transformations, and five enabling priorities. The fourth transformation is a comprehensive digital transformation, which essentially involves embracing a digital culture. The aim is to leverage digital tools to support the rest of our strategy.

This digital transformation was defined collectively by the federation and, while I've been involved in influencing it, it's a federation-wide effort and vision. It involves optimising our technology infrastructure, ensuring it's accessible, secure, inclusive and fit for purpose. It also involves harnessing data effectively, both locally to understand community needs and our impact on the species and habitats we support, and on a broader scale to influence policy and campaigns.

Lastly, we recognise the importance of developing the necessary skills within the federation to make the most of digital. Without the right skills, even the best technology and data are of limited use. So, our strategy focuses on people, data, and the supporting infrastructure.

How do you approach getting people from within the Wildlife Trust federation on board with the digital transformation strategy, and what methods do you use to ensure their active involvement and buy-in?

We began with a collaborative approach to shape our strategy that involved engaging all members and stakeholders within the Wildlife Trust federation. Instead of presenting a strategy I've crafted, I aim to support them in delivering the strategy they've collectively created. I facilitate workshops, including Lego Serious Play sessions, where we discuss their local strategies and how digital can enhance and support them. Being physically present at their sites, understanding their work, and witnessing the practical aspects, to me, are important and essential.

In addition, we have governance structures in place. A delivery group, comprising individuals passionate about digital across the federation, discusses strategy execution. We also have an advisory group, consisting of CEOs and leaders from trusts with varying degrees of digital interest, which serves as a mechanism for engaging others and ensuring the strategy lands at a senior level.

Communication is key; I share what I am doing publicly, share weekly notes, and engage with the wider federation, ensuring transparency and opportunities for feedback.

Building relationships is a significant part of it. I want them to embrace digital because it genuinely supports their specific needs, not just for the sake of it. 

What has been the primary challenge/resistance you've encountered while implementing these initiatives?

In my experience, it's not so much about resistance as it is about competing priorities. Digital is understood to be important, but there's often limited time available because of the many other vital tasks at hand. People are managing volunteers, reserves, staff, and facilities – all while trying to run ongoing projects. So, the challenge lies in finding a way to integrate digital effectively.

The most significant challenge is the diversity among the 47 different organisations involved. Each has its unique culture, staff, and ways of working. My goal is to understand these differences well enough to provide meaningful support. It's a fascinating challenge, ranging from organisations with just a handful of team members to those with over 400. There's no one-size-fits-all approach; each requires a customised strategy.

Which technologies are the Wildlife Trust exploring or have they already invested in?

I try to remain tech-agnostic because there are numerous ways to harness technology's potential. We have some excellent tools in place, like the Esri ArcGIS platform, and a shared geoportal for information, templates, and map and spatial data exchange. While this platform works well for our needs, what truly matters is the ability to share and collaborate.

We're initiating projects in various areas, including Land Management technologies, to improve reserve management. For example we used fences to confine cattle for conservation grazing, but now we're experimenting with innovations like "NoFence" collars for cattle. These collars emit signals when approaching potential fence areas, allowing the cows to avoid crossing. This innovation may not only change the visual appearance of our reserves, but it also greatly contributes to their openness and reduces the need for standard fencing.

Furthermore, we're exploring technology and innovation in areas like remote sensing and low-frequency radio frequency (LoRaWAN). These innovations help us monitor the environment, track wildlife movements, and assess soil conditions more effectively. They provide valuable insights, helping us make informed decisions and measure the impact of our conservation efforts. 

How do you measure the success of your interventions and its outcomes?

We've established three key signals of success, which are what the trusts have expressed they want to achieve. Firstly, we aim for all Wildlife Trusts to comprehend their digital infrastructure. This entails having a digital strategy and an action plan regarding the technology they intend to use. I envision a future where all trusts incorporate a digital strategy into their overall strategy. It doesn't have to be overly formal, but it should reflect their thoughtful prioritisation of digital in delivering their specific goals.

Secondly, we emphasise insights and analysis. We aim to evolve toward a point where data guides more of our decision-making. Currently, much of it is manual, but by consolidating and utilising data more effectively, we can make better-informed decisions. This is a significant signal of our success – the extent to which data and insights influence our actions.

The third aspect pertains to skills and capacity. Can we rely less on external resources and draw upon the talents within our trusts? Is there a federation-wide skills pool we can tap into? We aspire to have the capability to initiate projects and easily collaborate with trusted individuals who possess the required skills.

In addition to these overarching signals, I believe there's a need to shift our thinking away from viewing apps as the solution and instead focus on understanding people's needs. Encouraging more prototyping, design thinking, agile methodologies, and user-focused work would signify a significant shift toward a robust digital culture. We're already seeing some projects adopting these approaches, and their growth would be a strong indicator of a thriving digital culture.

How do you see the role of digital technologies evolving within the conservation sector?

I see enormous opportunities surrounding AI. It's a fascinating area with tremendous potential. Equally interesting and foundational to making the most of AI is the need to get our data in order. Establishing consistency, solid data models, and foundational elements are crucial. Without these building blocks, we risk falling behind and missing out on opportunities. We must become fit for purpose and accept that being a digital organisation, at least in some areas, is the cost of entry. You don't necessarily have to be digital-first across the board, but you do need to embrace digital transformation.

We, in the Wildlife Trust federation, may not have an abundance of digital skills like user experience, user research, or developers. This is where collaborating with external partners, such as universities and research organisations, can be a game-changer. 

So, looking ahead, it's about seizing the big opportunities on the horizon. It's also about working closely with organisations like Unearthodox to navigate this rapidly changing landscape.

How can conservation organisations ensure they stay up to date with existing technology and innovations, not just future developments?

We work closely with numerous partners, engaging in conversations with other NGOs to stay in the loop. It's not just about NGOs; we also connect with peer support organisations on various levels.

For instance, here at the Wildlife Trusts we're part of a digital strategy accelerator program alongside 10 other charities. This setup provides us with opportunities to exchange ideas and insights. Just the other day, I was talking to someone from a brain injury charity who are using virtual reality (VR) for rehabilitation. While it's a different field, we're exploring VR for engaging people with our reserves, and learning from their experiences is invaluable.

Staying informed also means subscribing to newsletters, even though they flood your inbox. I do the same for early-stage venture capital investment newsletters. It helps us keep tabs on who's investing in technology sectors and what's on the horizon. We're always on the lookout for signals from the future. However, it's not just about external sources. We also communicate extensively within our federation, leveraging the collective knowledge. 

Yet, despite all these efforts, the most significant breakthroughs often remain concealed. Innovations developed by military organisations or governments, concealed from public view, and we know these can be the real game-changers. 

Much of the technology we use, like geospatial platforms, has roots in more secretive research. The question is, when do we start paying attention to new tools? When is it worth adopting new technology, considering the costs and potential benefits? With limited funding, it's crucial to be cautious about investing in significant technology projects. We can't afford many failures. Each Wildlife Trust needs to decide when and where to invest, and we must support those decisions with a clear understanding of cost-benefit analysis. It's a constant challenge in our ever-changing digital landscape to know where we are comfortable with, on the ‘hype cycle’.

Do you have any closing advice or thoughts for conservation organisations regarding digital technologies and what steps they should take?

Start small and experiment. Embrace a culture of learning from your experiences, and then generously share your insights with others. Collaboration and knowledge-sharing are essential in addressing the challenges we all face in this space. Sharing what we're discovering and working on is vital, and I'm equally eager to learn from others.