Science Communications

Overview:

The Saving our Stocky Galaxias campaign raised awareness and engaged recreational fishers and the public on the plight of Stocky Galaxias and the importance of native fish conservation. It included a state-wide student art competition that combined education and action across local schools and communities, culminating in a successful exhibition event at the Gaden Trout Hatchery.

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Our role:

ARRC delivered a multi-channel communications campaign to build awareness of the Stocky Galaxias and other threatened aquatic species in the Snowy Mountains region. We developed the campaign video, podcast, and website, and promoted the art competition and exhibition.

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Impact:

• 100 art submissions and 140 attendees at the Family Fun Splashback Day at Gaden Trout Hatchery

• 2,500 postcards printed and distributed through project partners and networks across Snowy Mountains community spaces and events

Overview:

The Flow-MER Program is the CEWH's flagship monitoring, evaluation and research program, designed to assess the ecological outcomes of environmental water use across the Murray–Darling Basin. It is Australia's largest collaborative, science-based environmental water monitoring program involving multiple research organisations, government agencies and delivery partners.

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Our role:

We created the Flow-MER Program branding, social media presence, and website to communicate a complex program using simple navigation and common language for multiple audiences. A wide range of stakeholders were engaged in a co-design process to ensure a collaborative effort and an alignment in communications objectives.

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Impact:

• Synthesised and translated Program evaluation reports into engaging web pages that
  use video, illustrations and plain language to show-case 10 years of outcomes and
  learnings, informing policy decision making.

• Coordinated and published online stories, videos and email newsletters to showcase ongoing activities and outcomes. Over 5 years, 118 stories from across the Basin were published on the Flow-MER website.

• Over 7 years, we hosted 3 annual forums, 2 research forums, and an annual 'Flow-MER Fridays' webinar series.

Overview:

The Catch and Release campaign was designed to help anglers reduce stress on Murray cod, minimise unintentional damage, and facilitate a healthy release. It is crucial that proper catch and release practices be implemented to protect our gorgeous Murray cod for many more seasons to come.

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Our role:

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As part of the Murray-Darling Basin Native Fish Recovery Strategy, we worked with the Upper Murrumbidgee Demonstration Reach and pro-angler Andy McGovern to create a suite of short, online educational videos to demonstrate and explain the best handling techniques for Murray cod. By tailoring content to the desired audience (recreational fishers), this campaign could be communicated in an easily digestible way. We developed 1x campaign video, 7x social media reels, and 1x podcast episode, attracting over 40,000+ views with the initial campaign launch. The page and videos remain relevant and we have run subsequent campaigns since.

Overview:

The Stock and Waterways guide was developed to help NSW landholders better manage their waterways for both agricultural and environmental benefits. From clear ‘how-to’ steps to on-farm examples, everything was designed to help landholders manage their waterways in ways that work for their stock and the land.

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Our role:

We worked closely with farmers and on-ground practitioners to turn riparian science into practical knowledge that’s easy to follow and apply. We developed both the hard copy and online resource, which has seen steady growth since inception.

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Overview:

The Refreshing Rivers program is a NSW Local Land Services initiative in the Murray-Riverina region aimed at improving waterway health. It works with and supports landholders in the Central Billabong, Upper Billabong, and Riverina Highlands.

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Our role:

ARRC collaborated with Murray Local Land Services to develop their digital communications strategy and Refreshing Rivers program website.

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Deliverables:

• A two-day communications workshop in Albury to align audience segments, develop customer journeys, and craft relevant messaging

• Website development and ongoing data analysis

• An Integrated Marketing Communications Plan to encourage ongoing website engagement with target audiences

Overview:

The Enhanced Environmental Water Delivery (EEWD) program was a holistic river management approach that the MDBA was implementing to inform water management, however the program lacked clear and comprehensive communications assets that explained the purpose and benefit of the program to key stakeholder groups

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Our Role:

The ARRC was asked to develop a suite of high‑quality communication assets in close consultation with a multi‑jurisdictional steering committee. The assets developed were designed to provide tiered-level information – from high-level snapshots to detailed documentation – on what the program was, why it was timely and relevant, and how it worked.

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Deliverables:

• An animation video explaining the Program’s purpose and approach.
• A series of short video interviews with various stakeholders engaged in the Program conveying its importance.
• Designed illustrated placemats and briefing documents for use in water management and policy discussions.
• A private micro-site that housed all these assets for the stakeholder network to view and share.