Project management is vital in conservation. Resources are limited, and so we need to make sure they are used in the most efficient way, with clear goal setting, and accountability. As an experienced project manager I also focus on risk mitigation, collaboration among stakeholders, and long-term sustainability, all of which are indispensable for successful conservation projects. My approach is underpinned by a steadfast commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), ensuring that every facet of my conservation projects is marked by fairness and accessibility.
CASE STUDY
Building a visitors’ centre: Orangutan Foundation UK
In a unique collaboration between OFUK and Cube Design Lab, we were dedicated to raising awareness about orangutans. Our primary project revolved around creating an information center in Tanjung Puting National Park, a popular tourist destination where released rehabilitated orangutans can be observed. Many tourists left without comprehending the orangutans’ challenges, so our goal was to transform them into advocates who could share the orangutan’s story. Building on the foundations of a building built by OFUK in 2014, I set out to fill this space with vital information, drawing on project management skills such as strategic planning, collaboration with diverse stakeholders, and effective resource allocation.
To ensure its success, I worked with students from a range of backgrounds from the Design Lab to deliver on the physical and pedagogical design of the space. This collaborative process culminated in a trip to Borneo to implement it in the space itself and prepare for a grand opening. After six months, the project was delivered on time and within budget, and the visitors’ centre has welcomed thousands of people since its opening in 2016.
Read more about OFUK’s work on their website.
The finished centre (above); selection of project images (below).
CASE STUDY
Science Communication: BTO
During my time as the Science Communications Manager at the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in Thetford, UK, I got involved in several exciting projects. I led the charge on a fresh social media strategy helping boost or create our presence platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube, working to tight deadlines and on a shoestring budget.
Collaboration was core to this. I teamed up with the science and engagement teams to dig up fascinating stories and create content that people enjoyed and shared the fascinating world of birds with a new audience. Plus, I had the opportunity to guide a group of content creators, making sure our messages were on point. Keeping an eye on our social media performance, I used my project management skills to tweak our approach for even better results. I also linked up with external partners like the BBC, helping increase BTO’s visibility.
Alongside this, I enjoyed editing BTO News, BTO’s member magazine. Managing the editorial process, from ideation to the final product landing on people’s doormats, was a fantastic creative process which also allowed me to expand my project management skills. And, of course, I got to present BTO’s work at conferences and online events, sharing my own passion for birds and the organisation’s excellent scientific work.
Find out more about BTO on their website.
With our regular class at the MI Al-hidayah school in Cipaganti (above); a selection of projects (below).
Faye Vogely 