Exploring the Use of Social Media for Conservation Fundraising

Image Source: courtesy of the author

Alec Bandzes

AIP Project Dragonfly Student

bandzeac@miamioh.edu

Overview

No matter your opinion on the topic, millions of people worldwide use social media tools every day to communicate. Whether it’s by sharing photos with friends, accessing the latest breaking news, or even shopping with the tap of a finger, social media is a technology that provides access between audiences and what they find interesting in an immersive way.

In order to be that topic of interest for an audience, almost all Conservation Organizations have created some sort of online presence. For many organizations, using social media is as important of a fundraising tool as physical mailings in meeting their yearly goals.

Utilizing social media platforms has the potential to motivate and inspire active donors or even potential prospects by connecting them directly to a cause anywhere in the world and encouraging pro-environmental behavior through use of technology.


Technology is undoubtedly deeply intrinsic to the fabric of today’s society. As development in the field of digital social content accelerate, conservation organizations must embrace technology on all fronts, channeling its added value into positive outcomes for wildlife and wild places.

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Works Cited:

  • Bergman, Jordanna & Buxton, Rachel & Lin, Hsien-Yung & Lenda, Magdalena & Attinello, Kayla & Hajdasz, Adrianne & Rivest, Stephanie & Tran Nguyen, Thuong & Cooke, Steven & Bennett, Joseph. (2022). Evaluating the benefits and risks of social media for wildlife conservation. FACETS. 7. 360-397. 10.1139/facets-2021-0112.

  • Han, R., & Xu, J. (2020). A Comparative Study of the Role of Interpersonal Communication, Traditional Media and Social Media in Pro-Environmental Behavior: A China-Based Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(6). https://doi-org.proxy.lib.miamioh.edu/10.3390/ijerph17061883

  • Lenda, M., Skórka, P., Mazur, B., Sutherland, W., Tryjanowski, P., Moroń, D., Meijaard, E., Possingham, H. P., & Wilson, K. A. (2020). Effects of amusing memes on concern for unappealing species. Conservation Biology : The Journal of the Society for Conservation Biology, 34(5), 1200–1209. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.miamioh.edu/10.1111/cobi.13523

  • Mohammed, A. A. A., & Dominic, D. D. (2021). Social Influence on the Use of Social Media Towards Environmental Sustainability Awareness in HEI. 2021 International Conference on Computer & Information Sciences (ICCOINS), Computer & Information Sciences (ICCOINS), 2021 International Conference On, 294–299. https://doi-org.proxy.lib.miamioh.edu/10.1109/ICCOINS49721.2021.9497178

  • Deines, Tina. (2018, October 16). Can social media save great apes? Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2018/10/can-social-media-save-great-apes/

  • Dorsey, Chris. (2020, October 7). Conservation Groups Turn to Virtual Fundraising in the Era of Social Distancing. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisdorsey/2020/10/07/conservation-groups-turn-to-virtual-fundraising-in-the-era-of-social-distancing/?sh=5e67a84ce6b3.

  • Fawbert, Dave. (2019, March 17). 'Eco-anxiety': how to spot it and what to do about it. BBC ThreeUK. https://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/b2e7ee32-ad28-4ec4-89aa-a8b8c98f95a5

  • Pennsylvania Land Trust Association. (2018). Social Media Basics for Conservation Organizations. We Conserve PA. https://conservationtools.org/guides/155-social-media-basics-for-conservation-organizations

  • Chiu, Christine. (2020, February 3). How environment and conservation charities are using tech to drive change. Charity Digital. https://charitydigital.org.uk/topics/topics/how-environment-and-conservation-charities-are-using-tech-to-drive-change-6893