Engaging nationally.
Connecting globally.
Building capacity and inclusion.
The role of the National Committee UK Working Group for Education and Communication is in support of the work of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) and its initiatives.
The IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) recognises that knowledge is only useful in influencing conservation policies and actions if people are engaged in constructive dialogue and motivated to action by its findings. In this line, the CEC drives change for the co-creation of sustainable solutions through leading communication, learning and knowledge management in IUCN and the wider conservation community.
There is no charge to become a member of the CEC if you qualify.
Education and Communication Working Group Members:
About us
We are a team of professionals working across many sectors in education and communication. We strive for improved biodiversity outcomes through working with people across the UK’s land and sea, including its overseas territories and crown dependencies.
Our members
| Charlotte Smith (Chair Person) | Director of Conservation Education at Chester Zoo |
| Chris Mahon | Chief Executive – IUCN National Committee UK |
| Mark Stead | Head of Learning, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust |
| Dr Debbie Bartlett | Professor of Environmental Conservation at University of Greenwich Emeritus |
| Ruth Carter | Stakeholder Relationships Manager at Cambridge OCR |
| Simon Garrett | Principal Consultant RSK Wilding |
| Savita Willmott | Chief Executive, The Natural History Consortium |
| Leigh Morris | Director – International, The Wildlife Trusts |
| Ashley Norman | Communications, Investigations and Due Diligence Officer (IUCN) |
| Juliet Maxted | Policy and Advocacy Organiser at UKYCC |
| Marisa Edwards | Conservation Education Officer at Chester Zoo |
Our Purpose
This working group will connect the expertise of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) and other IUCN initiatives with UK policy and practice. By building partnerships across the diverse education and communication sector, we encourage collaboration, share knowledge and help connect the UK with global IUCN initiatives.
Our Role
- Promoting a culture of conservation and care through, behaviour change and social science. We will facilitate communication and innovation within the sector and connect best practice in the UK with IUCN initiatives.
- Supporting frameworks for conservation education. We will champion nature-based education approaches including the greening of school grounds, citizen science and climate and sustainability education.
- Increasing understanding of nature connectedness by working across sectors and support ways to measure this.
- Encouraging youth mobilisation, promoting mentorship and a strong youth voice in the IUCN decision making process.
Webinars
Our webinars offer an opportunity for CEC members, UK and overseas territories-based conservation education and communication practitioners to come together, share practice and connect with what it happening across the IUCN’s wider networks and initiatives.
Each webinar focuses on a key theme from the IUCN Strategy, Programme and/or resolutions, with knowledgeable speakers and the opportunity to connect with others and ask questions.
Sept Introduction to the IUCN National Committee UK and the work of the Communication and Education Expert Working Group. This webinar will provide opportunities to meet other CEC members working across the UK and overseas territories and an overview of how to connect with relevant CEC initiatives globally.
Nov Find out more about the recent IUCN resolution on Human-Nature Connectedness and how this is being implemented, with opportunities to learn from experts, ask questions, share practice and get involved.
Jan Our January webinar will reflect on the role of youth voice in conservation, both in the UK and internationally. We’ll confirm more details when speakers are confirmed.
Future webinars will focus on Nature-based education in schools, citizen science, connecting with businesses and inclusion in conservation.
Our upcoming September webinar meeting will provide an opportunity to:
- Learn more about and help shape the work of the IUCN National Committee UK and the Education and Communication Working Group.
- Meet and network with fellow IUCN CEC members and other conservation education and communication practitioners based across the UK.
- Explore current IUCN CEC initiatives, task forces, and networks that you may wish to become involved in.
- Share ideas and discuss how we can strengthen links between conservation practice, education, communication, and engagement across the UK.
Whether you have been involved with CEC for many years or have recently joined we would be delighted for you to join us.
Webinar Details
📅 Friday 25 September 2026
🕐 1:00 pm (UK time)
📍 Online
Please register with this link : Meeting Registration – Zoom
We look forward to seeing you there.
UK ECWG ChaiR: Charlotte Smith
Contact: m.edwards@chesterzoo.org
ECWG Webinar Series
Nature Education for Sustainability webinar recording links HERE and presentation slides below
Youth Engagement in Practice with Chester Zoo webinar recording link HERE
‘Where is wildlife conservation going? Do zoos have any part in it? – with Simon Garrett’ webinar recording link HERE
Conserving Conservationists, with Brittany Sawrey and Jessie Panazzolo webinar recording link HERE