How do you prove the worth of environmental services to stakeholders?

2 Use evidence and examples

The second step is to use credible and relevant evidence and examples to demonstrate the worth of ES to your stakeholders. Evidence can include scientific data, statistics, indicators, models, scenarios, maps, or case studies that show the current or potential status, trends, and impacts of ES. Examples can include stories, testimonials, anecdotes, or comparisons that illustrate the benefits or costs of ES in a concrete and relatable way. For example, you can use evidence to show how ES contribute to human health, economic development, social equity, or environmental sustainability, and use examples to show how ES have improved or worsened the lives of real people or places.

4 Engage and interact

The fourth step is to engage and interact with your stakeholders to build trust, rapport, and collaboration. Engagement and interaction can involve listening to their feedback, questions, concerns, or suggestions, acknowledging their perspectives and values, addressing their doubts or objections, or inviting them to participate in decision making or action taking. Engagement and interaction can also involve using various formats and channels to communicate your message, such as reports, presentations, videos, podcasts, infographics, blogs, social media, webinars, workshops, or dialogues. By engaging and interacting with your stakeholders, you can foster a mutual understanding and appreciation of ES and create a shared vision and commitment to their conservation and restoration.

5 Monitor and evaluate

The fifth step is to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your communication and the impact of your actions on the worth of ES. Monitoring and evaluation can involve collecting and analyzing feedback, data, or indicators that measure the changes in the awareness, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, or outcomes of your stakeholders or ES. Monitoring and evaluation can also involve reviewing and reflecting on your communication goals, strategies, methods, or challenges, and identifying the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, or threats for improvement. By monitoring and evaluating your communication and actions, you can learn from your successes and failures, adapt to changing circumstances, and demonstrate your accountability and credibility.

6 Celebrate and share

The sixth and final step is to celebrate and share your achievements and challenges in proving the worth of ES to stakeholders. Celebrating and sharing can involve recognizing and rewarding the efforts and contributions of yourself and others, expressing gratitude and appreciation, or highlighting the positive impacts and outcomes of your communication and actions. Celebrating and sharing can also involve disseminating and exchanging your findings, lessons, or recommendations, showcasing your best practices or innovations, or inspiring and influencing others to join or support your cause. By celebrating and sharing your achievements and challenges, you can reinforce the value of ES, strengthen your relationships and networks, and amplify your impact.