As I am writing this message, I’m with the TESI team attending the 7th Water Institute Symposium at the University of Florida. Everyone attending this conference — scientists, policy scholars, resource managers and journalists — shares a common goal of finding solutions to some of Florida's most complex water challenges. Algae blooms. Springs degradation. Water quality and quantity.
I had the pleasure of both presenting at and moderating a panel about water education, where I was able to demonstrate TESI's successes with our public programming and K-12 outreach. I was joined by UF/IFAS extension agents who have implemented valuable education programs centered around water quality, septic tanks and living shorelines. TESI also initiated and led a brand-new program at the symposium called the Water Resources Journalism Intensive, which gave journalism students hands-on experience in covering scientific conferences and sharing this research with broader audiences.
Throughout this symposium, we were able to make new and valuable connections with other scientists interested in the future of Florida’s water and the health of our state. I was also fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with Florida’s Chief Science Officer, Dr. Tom Frazer, about future collaborations with TESI.
This is the first time that we have partnered with the Water Institute to participate in this meeting. As far as I am concerned, it was a huge success and a wonderful opportunity to spread our message and broaden our reach to important stakeholders throughout Florida, and beyond.
Stand Up and Holler: Gator Day at the Florida Capitol
On Feb. 18, the TESI team traveled to Tallahassee to celebrate Gator Day at the Florida Capitol. We joined 350 members of the Gator Nation to celebrate UF's continued momentum to become a top 5 public university.
Throughout the day, we had the chance to spread the word about our Institute with legislative aides and staffers as well as other UF institutes.
On Feb. 24, TESI partnered with the Florida Museum to host the first edition of the Florida Springs Film Series. Approximately 125 community members watched Water's Journey: The Hidden Rivers of Florida. Although the film is more than a decade old, it is still highly relevant as it documents the path our water travels throughout the Floridan aquifer.
After the film, panelists took part in a lively discussion about the future of our springs while audience members submitted their questions using Mentimeter. The discussion was moderated by Wendy Lin-Bartels, assistant research scientist at UF’s School of Forest Resources & Conservation.
Prior to the opening reception, we organized a structured networking event titled, "Coffee, Connect and Collaborate." Environmental professionals from policy, science and communications fields came together to identify challenges, discuss solutions and grow new ideas.
Participants were able to meet future collaborators on campus and throughout the community.
After the networking event, Dr. MacFadden kicked off the opening reception by sharing TESI's mission with about 150 attendees before introducing the night's keynote speakers, Drs. Pam and Doug Soltis.
The next two days of the conference were jam-packed with sessions related to marine and estuarine policy, agricultural policy, algae blooms and the trending rights of nature movement.
TESI Team Publishes Special Legislative Issue of Earth to Florida Newsletter
The Florida state legislative session is an action-packed 60 days. This year’s session began on Jan. 14 and will end on March 13.
Our team has sifted through thousands of bills to find those that pertain to our state’s environment. For some, we have talked to policy experts and scientists to help provide context into what this proposed legislation might mean for our state.
As part of an effort to share Florida’s biggest water stories with broader audiences, we partnered with the University of Florida Water Institute, Florida Sea Grant and UF/IFAS to organize the first-ever Water Resources Journalism Intensive, which centered around the UF Water Institute Symposium.
Prior to the Symposium, students participated in a workshop hosted at the Florida Museum of Natural History where they learned how to structure a science news story, how to mine scientific conferences for story ideas, how to work with editors, how to find evidence-based information and how to interview a scientist. The students were also each assigned a different topic to cover — algae blooms, Florida springs, climate change impacts, urban water use and Everglades restoration.
During the Symposium, students attended related sessions and worked with experienced science communicators to get their stories in shape for publication.
We look forward to sharing their stories soon on the UF Water Institute website and in our next Earth to Florida newsletter!
The 2020 WRJI cohort includes five University of Florida graduate and undergraduate students from the College of Journalism and Communications. They are:
Advocating for Science: Tools and Strategies for Confidently Sharing Research with Others
On Feb. 21 and 22, TESI took part in the iDigTRIO Biological Science Conference. This conference is aimed at increasing diverse voices in biological sciences through interactive experiences and workshops.
TESI coordinator Sadie Mills delivered a workshop called “Advocating for Science: Tools and Strategies for Confidently Sharing Research with Others.”
During the workshop, students learned how to understand competing arguments, explored how to find common ground among differing opinions, and practiced using storytelling as a tool to promote science.
TESI Welcomes New Communication and Education Interns
Brittney Miller is an undergraduate student at the University of Florida pursuing a dual-degree in biology and journalism. As a TESI intern, she writes stories for the Earth to Florida newsletter, and produces social media content for TESI's Facebook and Twitter channels. She has worked in both research labs and newsrooms throughout her collegiate journey – a background that has cultivated her unique and rich passion for communicating science, she said. With clips published in WUFT News and the Independent Florida Alligator, she aspires to continue her reporting path to be a science writer.
Ellen Bausback is a sophomore journalism major and environmental science minor at the University of Florida who wants to put her love for science as well as her writing and creative skills to the test to help get Floridians excited and invested in Earth science systems. As a TESI student assistant, she enjoys creating engaging content for TESI’s Know Your Florida Instagram, its social media and wherever else her skills may be needed. After graduation, Ellen hopes to pursue a career in environmental journalism or any field that lets her combine her two passions to serve her community.
Lianne Darcy is a junior at the University of Florida studying journalism with a concentration in environmental science and a minor in nonprofit management. At TESI, Lianne crafts engaging posts for the Institute’s Know Your Florida Instagram account and contributes content to Earth to Florida. Lianne also interns with the Alachua Conservation Trust and is a Spring 2020 Bob Graham Center for Public Service Civic Scholar.
Scientist in Every Florida School
Florida Classrooms See Record Number of Scientist Visits in February
TESI's Scientist in Every Florida School team has been working hard to develop meaningful partnerships and expand the program's reach. Several new collaborations with Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Manatee Lagoon and Earth Echo International resulted in 73 scientist classroom visits during the month of February — a 204% increase in the number of visits since January!
Loggerhead Marinelife Center: With the help of the SEFS team,UF alum and wildlife biologist, Alan Ivory, accepted the task of being embedded at LMC full time for one month. During his time there, he ran onsite field trips and visited several classrooms throughout Palm Beach County.
“The SEFS program has provided us with another top-notch scientist to our outreach team that can connect students with marine science right in their classrooms,” said Hannah Campbell, Director of Education at LMC. “It’s amazing how a natural partnership like the one between LMC and TESI can significantly increase students’ exposure to what it means to be a scientist. It was a no-brainer for us to power-up with the SEFS program.”
Manatee Lagoon and Earth Echo International: On Feb. 14, SEFS co-hosted a virtual field trip for classrooms to learn about the relationship between the Florida Power and Light power plant and the manatees who migrate there when the weather becomes colder.
Together we were able to connect manatee scientists with a total of 20 Florida public schools and more than 750 students. Teachers interested in watching the event post-production with their students can view it in its entirety at the following: https://youtu.be/Fvq7t6jpajA
Science on Tap: Is Florida Trying to Kill Me?
It can sometimes feel like mother nature is out to get us, but is she really? The Florida Museum and the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute invite you to grab a local brew and learn from scientists about whether mosquitoes, wildfires and reptiles are actually here to kill you at our spring “Science on Tap” series.
This special series will include a screening and panel discussion with the film’s production crew and experts in the field. Take part in an engaging discussion and meet local organizations as you learn more about the importance, health and conservation of our state’s water.
Earth Day: Dawn to Dusk Celebration Featuring Audrey Peterman
Join us on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day to learn more about why making public lands more inclusive is vital to the health of our planet. Our keynote speaker is Audrey Peterman, a leader in the movement to engage more Americans of color in the enjoyment, care and protection of our public lands.
Every Friday, we also publish a weekly sampling of free and inexpensive environmental learning opportunities on our Facebook page.
Support Our Mission
To support the UF Thompson Earth Systems Institute Endowment,
Capital Project Expansion of the Florida Museum, and the
Scientist in Every Florida School Moonshot Project, contact:
Marie Emmerson
Senior Director of Development
Florida Museum of Natural History emmerson@ufl.edu
cell: 352-256-9614
