Earth to Sky is coming to Zoo Miami on April 23-26^th, 2024!

Applications Are Now Closed. 

There’s never been a better time to engage your visitors, staff, and communities about the impacts and implications of climate change in south Florida. Join colleagues in a supportive community of practice to learn about the science of climate change and share best practices in climate communication.

“Florida Squeezed” will provide you with a foundation in climate science with an emphasis on the connection between global to local processes and on climate impacts in south Florida. Participants will discuss and practice proven methods for successful climate communication and connect with the growing Earth to Sky community of practice – over 1500 communicators and scientists from a variety of organizations improving and sharing their expertise on this topic. You will leave the course armed with knowledge about cutting-edge climate science and a plan for bringing the climate story to your visitors in engaging and inspiring ways.  

Course Logistics

• This course is hosted by Earth to Sky in partnership with NASA, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Zoo Miami.

• 9:00 am - 3:30 pm daily commuter-friendly schedule. No tuition fee.

• Travel and lodging expenses are the responsibility of participants and/or their institutions. 

• A block of nearby hotel rooms will be reserved for course participants. 

• Food is available for purchase onsite, participants are encouraged to bring their own lunches.

Target Audience

Interpretive managers, frontline interpretive staff, tour operators, informal educators, and science commnicators at federal, state, or municipal agencies, non-profit, and private organizations. Knowledge of climate science is not required. Participants from Florida and the Caribbean are especially encouraged to apply.

Course Objectives

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to: 

• Design and execute an action plan to produce a climate change education, outreach, and/or interpretative product/program.

• Engage with the Earth to Sky community, both regionally and nationally, to exchange ideas and expertise.

• Describe how connections between global, regional, and local Earth processes and climate change are affecting the ecosystems, economies and communities in the region.

• Identify and apply audience-appropriate communication techniques, such as metaphor, analogy, visual imagery, storytelling, dialogic questions, or co-creation of knowledge in their product/program.

• Access relevant, audience-appropriate NASA science content and/or educational/visual elements to use in their product/program. 

The Florida Squeezed course will emphasize experiential learning. It will start with a few distance-learning components that participants are required to complete prior to attending the four days of face-to-face sessions at Zoo Miami. Participants are expected to be present and fully participate in all of the face-to-face sessions. Approximately four months later, a one-hour webinar will be held for participants to share progress and challenges, and receive feedback/assistance in executing their action plans. The collegial atmosphere of this course will provide participants with many opportunities to engage with scientists, communication practitioners, and colleagues in collaborative learning.

Face-to-Face Sessions at Zoo Miami

• Scientists from NASA and other national agencies will present climate science in both global and regional contexts followed by discussion sessions to apply
  that content in participants’ work settings. 

• A field trip to Everglades National Park will serve as a case study illustrating climate science/research and a model for climate communication.

• Dedicated time to work with colleagues and experienced mentors as part of a regional community of practice. Work collaboratively to create an action plan for developing a product or program applying course content for use in their site or organization. Participants are encouraged to reach out to internal and external collaborators as they execute these action plans. 

Expectations of Participants

• Complete preliminary assignments in preparation for the face-to-face sessions.

• Be present and fully participate in all four days of face-to-face sessions. 

• Create an Action Plan for developing an interpretive, educational or outreach product or program applying course content.

• Participate in post-course reporting and evaluations, including a one-hour follow-up webinar with fellow course participants.

Application Process 

Applications are closed. In order to attend this course, participants should have prior experience in communications (i.e., interpretation, environmental education, outreach, and/or public affairs). Individuals must complete the Application Form illustrating their interest and experience in climate change communications. Experience or knowledge of climate science is not a prerequisite. Applicants must obtain approval from their supervisor before applying.

The course planning team will carefully review and make selections based on information provided in your Application Form. The maximum class size is 30. Those not selected during the first round will be placed on a waitlist to backfill any cancellations. 

About Earth to Sky 

Earth to Sky (ETS) is an ongoing and expanding partnership between NASA, the National Park Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Since 2004, the partnership has conducted many professional development events on the topic of climate change. https://www.earthtosky.org. 

Questions? 

Contact our Earth to Sky course coordinator John Ceballos: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..