INTO CAN – Climate and Nature

INTO CAN (Climate and Nature), is a knowledge-sharing programme, bringing together INTO member organisations to share ideas and experiences in communicating about climate change.

INTO CAN was created in response to requests from our members, building on the success of RISE, our Reimagining International Sites of Enslavement programme.

Climate action

We know that National Trusts around the world are involved in the protection of important natural heritage. This activity is a vital part of the global fight against climate change. The amazing heritage places we look after, have a unique role and opportunity to champion solutions to address the climate crisis. There is always more to be done.

INTO CAN is a global network, learning from each other and sharing experiences and resources, so that we can develop joint solutions.

Sessions and workshops are co-created by the participants, including such topics as:

• Developing joint climate-themed projects and campaigns
• Engaging and upskilling our staff and volunteers
• Working in partnership
• How to tell compelling climate stories
• Advocating about the climate crisis – how to engage elected officials and opinion formers

This programme is a collaboration between INTO and the National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland), led by Joel Silver, Climate Campaigns Manager, National Trust and Catherine Leonard, INTO Secretary-General.

Virtual sessions

Participants are joined by those at the forefront of research and practice in this area of the sector.  Sessions are held virtually to enable global participation and reduce environmental impacts. Members of the group are also supported to apply for funding opportunities as part of the programme.

Our May webinar was a collaboration with Celebrate Islands – a weeklong festival which highlighted the work of organisations around the world caring for island environments.

INTO members from the Caribbean, North America, France and the UK shared their experiences, with a focus on how we communicate about our work.

Listen to the recording 

Chair: Clea Warner, the National Trust for Scotland’s Regional Director for the Highlands and Islands.

Speakers:

• Marta Ferretti, Project Manager, SMILO (Small Island Organisation)
• Farah Mukhida, Executive Director of the Anguilla National Trust
• Cynthia Dittbrenner, Director of Coast and Natural Resources, The Trustees (USA)
• Angela Cott, General Manager – Brownsea Island, National Trust (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

Many National Trusts are already doing amazing work to raise awareness of climate change and its impacts on nature, infrastructure and livelihoods. They are engaging people with issues such as food security, sea level rise, habitat destruction, invasive species, water usage and the condition of rivers and wetlands.

Climate crisis initiatives

INTO members are embarking on new initiatives to address the climate crisis, some of which may not have been envisaged as part of their original purpose but which are really vital today: planting schemes – trees, mangroves and bushland; the development of solar and wind energy schemes; efforts to reduce waste; carbon offsetting schemes; sourcing sustainable products to sell in museum shops… the list goes on!

What is clear, is that INTO members want to become even better at telling compelling stories about their work to mitigate, adapt and educate about climate change. Stories we can tell our staff and volunteers, the public, policy makers and politicians. And we want to collect and present data that back up these narratives and create really powerful campaigns and advocacy cases.

Interested to know more? Please contact us for details of how to join.