Social Media Communications Tips from the "Urban Wildlife Queen" of Instagram

If we want more young people to explore, consider and get into a wildlife-focused career, simply suggest they ‘follow’ Lira Valencia – known as the “urban wildlife queen” of Instagram.

Lira has overcome challenges and barriers to become an inspiration. As a Ranger with London Wildlife Trust, birder and advocate for urban environmentalism.

If you missed her speaking on the ‘When Youth Voice Rises’ panel at Content Rising this month, you could always invest in the recording (which includes the other talks and panels, too).

Here are some snippets to take away for now:

CHILDHOOD & EARLY CAREER

·       Obsessed with snails as a child

·       Has a Zoology Degree

·       Ranger with London Wildlife Trust

 WHAT WORKS WITH (SOCIAL MEDIA) AUDIENCES?

·       Honesty

·       Lingo (language aligned with your audience)

·       Style

·       Talking about struggles (relatable stories)

·       Check out the fonts, photos and colours used by young influencers

INFLUENCES

·       Guerrilla Gardening near Grenfell Tower

·       Kalpana Arias and Nowadays on Earth Project

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH NEGATIVE VIEWS OF ACTIVISM?

·       There’s no ‘guide’ to being a wildlife manager

·       Build a ‘tough skin’

·       Accept there are mean people around

BARRIERS & BUGBEARS

·       (Awareness) We need climate education

·       (Opportunities) People need to be able to see there are jobs in sustainability and green careers

·       (Empowerment) People not seeing themselves as activists or having skills

·       (Undervalued) Influencers should get paid

ONE PIECE OF ADVICE (ON FILMING IN THE MOMENT)

·       Practise