{"id":4310,"date":"2025-07-23T07:00:36","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T07:00:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/?p=4310"},"modified":"2025-07-23T07:02:52","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T07:02:52","slug":"call-for-impact-wiompan-scientific-storytelling-competition-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/2025\/07\/23\/call-for-impact-wiompan-scientific-storytelling-competition-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Call for Impact: WIOMPAN Scientific Storytelling Competition 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong><b><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-4311\" src=\"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WIOMPAN-Storytelling-Competition_-240x300.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"240\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WIOMPAN-Storytelling-Competition_-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WIOMPAN-Storytelling-Competition_-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WIOMPAN-Storytelling-Competition_-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WIOMPAN-Storytelling-Competition_.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 240px) 100vw, 240px\" \/>Theme: <\/b><\/strong><strong><b>\u201cOur Ocean, Our Stories: How Local Science Is Saving the Sea\u201d<\/b><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><b>Deadline: 30 August 2025<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Your Science Has a Story\u2014Let the World Hear It<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the early morning light, a ranger in Mozambique logs fewer sea cucumbers on the reef. In Madagascar, youth track mangrove recovery with hand-drawn maps. In Kenya, a fisher records changing catch sizes after a temporary closure.<br \/>\nEach of these is <em><i>science in action<\/i><\/em>\u2014and every one tells a powerful story of stewardship, resilience, and change.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Now it\u2019s your turn.<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>WIOMPAN invites you to share how science\u2014big or small, formal or grassroots\u2014is making a difference in <strong><b>Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0and <strong><b>Locally Managed Marine Areas (LMMAs)<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0across the <strong><b>Western Indian Ocean<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>This is not just a competition. It\u2019s a call to action, to illuminate local innovation, inspire peer learning, and influence real-world decisions. Your story can change minds\u2014and shape the future of our ocean.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>What Counts as \u2018Science\u2019?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Science is any systematic activity that improves knowledge and guides action. Your story could involve:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Fish counts, reef monitoring, or turtle nesting observations<\/li>\n<li>Seagrass and mangrove assessments<\/li>\n<li>Climate or ocean impact tracking (bleaching, salinity, erosion, etc.)<\/li>\n<li>Water quality testing or pollution monitoring<\/li>\n<li>Octopus closure studies or community catch records<\/li>\n<li>Use of digital tools (SeaSketch, GPS, ID apps)<\/li>\n<li>Community or socioeconomic surveys<\/li>\n<li>Ranger patrols with key ecological insights<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Who Can Take Part?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This call is open to <strong><b>all WIOMPAN-affiliated individuals and groups<\/b><\/strong>, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>MPA rangers and staff<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Community groups and conservancies<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>BMUs and fishers\u2019 cooperatives<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Youth clubs and school marine groups<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Researchers, NGOs, and co-management partners<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Whether you&#8217;re a <strong><b>seasoned scientist<\/b><\/strong>, a <strong><b>youth leader<\/b><\/strong>, a <strong><b>community knowledge holder<\/b><\/strong>, or a <strong><b>local conservation champion<\/b><\/strong>\u2014<strong><b>your story matters<\/b><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>We especially encourage <strong><b>co-created submissions<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0that bring together voices from across your MPA or LMMA\u2014such as rangers and researchers, fishers and students, or elders and youth. These collaborative stories reflect the <strong><b>spirit of shared stewardship<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0and make your science even more powerful.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>How to Share Your Story<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>We welcome visual, accessible formats that communicate science clearly and creatively. You can submit your story in any of the following formats:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong><b> Short Video <\/b><\/strong><strong><em><b><i>(Preferred Format)<\/i><\/b><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A powerful way to show science in action.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Up to <strong><b>3 minutes<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Shot on phone or handheld camera<\/li>\n<li>Should include:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>Who you are and where you&#8217;re based<\/li>\n<li>The activity or observation<\/li>\n<li>Why it matters<\/li>\n<li>What action was taken (or is needed)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"2\">\n<li><strong><b> llustrated Storybook or Comic<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Perfect for youth or community storytelling.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Max <strong><b>10 slides\/pages<\/b><\/strong>(PDF, PowerPoint, or scanned drawings)<\/li>\n<li>Combine drawings, photos, and captions to walk the reader through your story<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"3\">\n<li><strong><b> Photo Essay<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Let your images speak.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>5\u201310 high-quality photos with captions<\/li>\n<li>Include a <strong><b>200\u2013300 word<\/b><\/strong>written narrative on the activity and its impact<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ol start=\"4\">\n<li><strong><b> Poster or Infographic<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>A snapshot ready for community display.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>One-page <strong><b>PDF or image<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Include visuals, key messages, and summary text<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Award Categories<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Your story could be recognized in one or more of these categories:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Best Scientific Storytelling<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Best Ranger-led Submission<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Best Community-driven Science<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Best Use of Visuals<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Most Relevant to Management or Policy<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>What Winners Will Receive<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Outstanding storytellers will be celebrated and supported through a range of recognition and learning opportunities, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Support to attend the 13th WIOMSA Scientific Symposium<\/b><\/strong>to share your story with a regional audience<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Recognition at WIOMPAN and WIOMSA events<\/b><\/strong>, including MPA Day celebrations<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Feature spots in the WIOMPAN newsletter, website, and exhibitions<\/b><\/strong>to amplify your voice across the WIO region<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Invitations to present at regional knowledge-sharing platforms<\/b><\/strong>and learning exchanges<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Certificates of recognition<\/b><\/strong>, with opportunities for further mentorship or support to continue your storytelling journey<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Invitations to participate in WIOMSA capacity building opportunities<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>The best overall submission will receive a GoPro 11 worth 250 USD!<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>How to Submit<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Please send your entry by <strong><b>30 August 2025<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0to: wiompan@wiomsa.org.<\/p>\n<p>Include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Your <strong><b>full name(s)<\/b><\/strong>, <strong><b>country<\/b><\/strong>, and <strong><b>organization\/MPA\/LMMA name<\/b><\/strong><\/li>\n<li>Your entry (video link, file attachment, or upload link)<\/li>\n<li>A <strong><b>brief summary (max 200 words)<\/b><\/strong>explaining your science and what it aims to support or solve<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><b>Need Help Crafting Your Story?<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Use this simple guide to shape your story:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Start with YOU<\/b><\/strong>\u2013 Who are you, and why does this matter?<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Show the SCIENCE<\/b><\/strong>\u2013 What did you do, and what did you find?<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Explain the IMPACT<\/b><\/strong>\u2013 Why does it matter for your community or ecosystem?<\/li>\n<li><b><\/b><strong><b>Share your MESSAGE<\/b><\/strong>\u2013 What do you want others to learn or do?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><strong><b>Why This Matters<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><b>MPA Day is more than a celebration\u2014it\u2019s a moment to reflect, share, and mobilize.<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0Good science drives better conservation. But <strong><b>well-told stories<\/b><\/strong>\u00a0drive action.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s turn data into dialogue, patrol logs into policy shifts, and small observations into big impact.<\/p>\n<p><strong><b>Help us tell your story\u2014and help others protect our ocean.<\/b><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Theme: \u201cOur Ocean, Our Stories: How Local Science Is Saving the Sea\u201d Deadline: 30 August 2025 Your Science Has a Story\u2014Let the World Hear It In the early morning light, a ranger in Mozambique logs fewer sea cucumbers on the reef. In Madagascar, youth track mangrove recovery with hand-drawn maps. In Kenya, a fisher records<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/2025\/07\/23\/call-for-impact-wiompan-scientific-storytelling-competition-2025\/\" class=\"more-link themebutton\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[459,1],"tags":[460],"class_list":["post-4310","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-announcements","category-news-events","tag-mpaday-wiompan"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4310","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4310"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4310\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4314,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4310\/revisions\/4314"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4310"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4310"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wiomsa.org\/wiompan\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4310"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}