Chapter 6
The importance of creating films for local communities
From stories to solutions
The importance of creating films for local communities lies in three key ideas: first, we are made of stories. Second, storytelling is one of the most impactful tools for conservation today, with the power to capture attention and inspire action. Third, behind every threat to nature stands a community with the knowledge and potential to address it. By telling stories rooted in local experiences, films can connect people more deeply to environmental challenges and highlight the essential role communities play in safeguarding their natural surroundings while leveraging social science.
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We also know that...
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Communities possess valuable traditional knowledge about ecosystems and sustainable practices, enhancing culturally appropriate conservation strategies.
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Active involvement in conservation fosters a sense of ownership over natural resources, encouraging commitment to environmental protection and highlighting direct benefits from these efforts.
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Engaging communities helps design solutions that balance conservation goals with local land use, mitigating potential conflicts.
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The involvement of local communities is crucial for protecting biodiversity, particularly in Africa’s hotspots, through stewardship and monitoring efforts.
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Communities can shape equitable conservation and resource management policies that reflect local needs and perspectives.
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Community engagement raises awareness of environmental issues, leading to informed and proactive participation in conservation initiatives.
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Involving communities in conservation not only protects biodiversity but also preserves cultural heritage and traditional practices.
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Local communities' inherent resilience to environmental changes enhances ecosystems' adaptive capacity, aiding recovery from disturbances.
KopeLion case study
I had the great opportunity to work with Kope Lion to foster greater acceptance and tolerance towards lions in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, ultimately reducing human-lion conflicts stemming from shrinking habitats, environmental degradation, and rising poverty.
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My role was to implement strategic impact communication, media, and storytelling plans, which were carefully tailored with input from local communities. I also aimed to expand a network of conservation partners and identify actionable points to strengthen program activities involving the tourism industry, scientists, and fellow conservation organizations.
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One of the program activities Kope Lion initiated was a series of pastoralist youth gatherings in three areas of Ngorongoro, aiming to reach over 300 young people. These gatherings provided culturally appropriate exchanges that complemented traditional ecological knowledge, enhanced understanding of the ecosystem benefits from lionscapes, and fostered new ideas, networks, and opportunities for human-lion coexistence and alternative livelihoods.
Most importantly, they created a space for critical thinking and discussions around challenges, especially when answers are not readily available.
During the first of the three events, we held a movie night featuring films about human-lion coexistence from neighbouring communities. During the movie night, everyone seemed very excited to see their land on the screen and recognise their neighbours and learn about their experiences and solutions, given their shared culture. It seemed they greatly enjoyed the screen experience and were much more attentive than during traditional discussions. You could hear the shouting of their acquaintances names, which could have lead to peer pressure, and you could also appreciate glimpses of curiosity around certain practices portrayed on screen.
What did the event taught us?
Following the movie night, we conducted a set of questions to evaluate participants' perceptions, attitudes, and learnings. While ideally we should have waited to engage in data collection, time, logistics and resource constraints made it not possible. Overall, there appeared to be a notable shift in people's perceptions and attitudes, moving from viewing lions as threats to cattle to recognising and valuing their presence, particularly in relation to the lion economy.
This transformation underscores the importance of our initiative to create films for communities. Storytelling is one of the most effective tools for conservation today, as it not only educates but also inspires communities to take action. Every threat to nature has a community that can address it, and by sharing impactful narratives, we empower these communities to foster tolerance, understanding, and appreciation for lions.
Key takeaways from the sampled community members
​What we learned during the data collection process is that:
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The Maasai reflected on the evolving nature of their culture and traditions, recognising the importance of preserving their identity while adapting and navigating the complexities of the current social and environmental challenges.
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Participants discussed effective strategies learned on the screen for living harmoniously with lions, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions that protect both wildlife and livestock.
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Though culturally reliant on livestock, respondents seem to have acknowledged the need for fewer and healthier livestock, recognising that both livestock and wildlife play vital roles in their community's sustainability.
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Maasai emphasised the importance of passing down traditional knowledge, stories, and practices to future generations, ensuring that their unique customs and values endure and have a place in conservation practices.
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Participants highlighted the importance of building strong relationships, sharing resources, and supporting one another in implementing effective coexistence strategies in the face of climate challenges.
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There was a consensus on the necessity of adopting sustainable practices to ensure the long-term health of both the environment and the community.