Training - Social Media and Online Presence

Social Media and Online Presence was repeatedly identified as a major organisational need by local Landcare groups, so a training day was developed.

Training - Social Media and Online Presence

Social Media and Online Presence was repeatedly identified as a major organisational need by local Landcare groups, so a training day was developed.

Building our Future -

LLCI014-037

The issue

Most Landcare groups in the Mid Hunter had either minimal or zero online presence, making it difficult to connect with the wider public and also difficult for the public to find local groups! Many Landcare members had not used social media, but many young folk who might participate did - the active memebrs and the potential members were not connecting through the same medium and so meeting between the generations was rare.

The local landcare coordinator started by creating pages for groups on the NSW Landcare Gateway, which enabled members of the public to find groups if they were looking for them. The next step was to provide training to empower existing members in how to use social media and the NSW Landcare Gateway to promote their aims and connect in to the wider community.

The solution

Training was organised through partnering with Local Land Services, The Business Centre and NSW Landcare to develop appropriate training in social media and the NSW Landcare Gateway at a location central to the Mid Hunter.

55 individual representatives of 33 groups were invited to participate. Tickets were sold at a very reasonable $15 to secure commitment and to promote the future fund idea of financial sustainability.

A total of 25 people attended the training from 14 different groups. All evaluations following the event showed keen interest in the uptake and effective use of the NSW Landcare Gateway and social media such as facebook and instagram.

The impact

New members have already started contact some groups - through the update contacts on the Gateway - If people are looking they can find groups where before this was very difficult. Through facebook and social media, groups can engage with other friends and groups in the area, promoting their identity and activities.

Engaging through facebook and instagram enables people to react to the moment and share their view, promoting the concept of citizen science among the community.

Events such as these not only provide training in important areas, but they are also an excellent opportunity for members of disparate groups to connect and network, where before they might not have seen each other, exchanged information or shared experiences.

Key facts

  • Engaging Landcare with the wider community
  • Groups can be easily found by interested people
  • Promoting Landcare's achievements
  • Learning new skills to spread the word
  • Getting with the times

Project Partners