After some social media advice
Posted: Tue 13 Apr, 2021 11:24 am
Many of you would already know that I have a YouTube channel which relates to bushwalking in Tasmania. Many of you may enjoy them, many of you may be disappointed at the fact many seldom visited places are shown on it. For at least half a year (probably since the Disappearing Tarn debacle), I've been extremely uncertain about whether or not its sustainable for me to continue making these videos, for the sake of the natural environment. Recent discussions on Facebook have brought this topic to the front of my mind. I've read all the comments on the posts, and know people making comments from both 'sides', for lack of a better term. I guess I'm after some advice.
I'm sure that 99% of bushwalkers in Tasmania deeply love and respect the wilderness and what it has to offer. And the balance between promotion and conservation is a difficult one to find. You need people to understand why these places are worth preserving, but they can't do that without seeing or experiencing it (in my opinion). But with visitation comes impacts. And with that comes mud, unofficial tracks, pink tape, or new infrastructure if it is on an existing track (South Coast for example). And I 100% believe that social media is playing a part in the increase of visitation.
I'll preface my question by saying this:
While I do have a YouTube channel, I don't share links to it on Facebook. That way if people want to find out information on the walk I've posted, they'll have to do their own research instead of just pressing a link on their news feed. I also don't post on Instagram anymore, and the blog I had for about a year is now on private, so only I can look at it. I also don't provide GPX files to people unless I know them, or can determine their level of experience.
My question is: what is the solution? Is it as simple as taking the channel down? Should I only post videos of official tracks shown on LISTmap and hard copy maps? Have more emphasis on Leave No Trace and Minimal Impact Bushwalking? The reason I'm uncertain is because I receive so many messages and comments from people who tell me that they really enjoy the videos. Some Melbournians told me they looked forward to uploads during their lockdown last year, others told me they like the "authentic" style, others say their helpful. I've even had parents of young children tell me that their kids really like the videos.
I like to think that I don't reveal huge amounts of detail about off track walks in the videos. Certainly the more recent videos are less detail oriented. But yeah, I thought I'd ask the question here, seeing as there are plenty of experienced walkers here who will hopefully have some helpful advice. Feel free to PM as well if you want.
Thanks, Lucas
I'm sure that 99% of bushwalkers in Tasmania deeply love and respect the wilderness and what it has to offer. And the balance between promotion and conservation is a difficult one to find. You need people to understand why these places are worth preserving, but they can't do that without seeing or experiencing it (in my opinion). But with visitation comes impacts. And with that comes mud, unofficial tracks, pink tape, or new infrastructure if it is on an existing track (South Coast for example). And I 100% believe that social media is playing a part in the increase of visitation.
I'll preface my question by saying this:
While I do have a YouTube channel, I don't share links to it on Facebook. That way if people want to find out information on the walk I've posted, they'll have to do their own research instead of just pressing a link on their news feed. I also don't post on Instagram anymore, and the blog I had for about a year is now on private, so only I can look at it. I also don't provide GPX files to people unless I know them, or can determine their level of experience.
My question is: what is the solution? Is it as simple as taking the channel down? Should I only post videos of official tracks shown on LISTmap and hard copy maps? Have more emphasis on Leave No Trace and Minimal Impact Bushwalking? The reason I'm uncertain is because I receive so many messages and comments from people who tell me that they really enjoy the videos. Some Melbournians told me they looked forward to uploads during their lockdown last year, others told me they like the "authentic" style, others say their helpful. I've even had parents of young children tell me that their kids really like the videos.
I like to think that I don't reveal huge amounts of detail about off track walks in the videos. Certainly the more recent videos are less detail oriented. But yeah, I thought I'd ask the question here, seeing as there are plenty of experienced walkers here who will hopefully have some helpful advice. Feel free to PM as well if you want.
Thanks, Lucas