Public Engagement

After spending years working in various sectors related to wildlife ecology, I began to recognize the importance of society in my work. Figuring out how to balance human needs and sustainability in the modern era is one of society’s most important challenges. This calling reshaped my life and career. I found myself taking courses in education and communication. I spent my free time doing volunteer outreach and engagement. I can proudly say I’ve exhibited salamanders in coffee shops, laundry mats, bars, museums, and schools. While these experiences remain rewarding and effective, I expanded to a larger audience through online platforms. I began running social media pages for conservation groups while also fostering my own efforts. From websites, to blog posts, to popular Twitter hashtags like #HERpers and #herpetALLogy, I’ve watched this work pay off. I bring the knowledge and skills to successfully engage and build local community across sectors and demographics. My approach to communication is inclusive and considers the knowledge, needs, views, and values of those I'm engaging with. As my background has included two-way communication strategies, listening to and learning from the audience is a key component of my work. Building a community is about more than just knowledge transfer or one-way science communication. I seek to engage and build local community across sectors and demographics to work together for co-creation and co-management.

Places and organizations I've engaged with the public through:

University of Florida Natural Resources Diversity Initiative (NRDI)

Florida Museum of Natural History

Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation

Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders

Talk Science with Me

Skype a Scientist

Conservation Cast

Reddit Ask me Anything (AMA)

@RealScientists

Royal Botanical Gardens