The 2023 Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program Registration is now CLOSED.

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LEARN HOW TO BE A MORE ENGAGED, EDUCATED AND EFFECTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCATE!

Become a lifelong champion for birds, other wildlife and South Florida’s natural places.

Register today for our empowering 2023 program featuring online classes, field trips, deep dives with local experts and hands-on advocacy campaigns.

Our award-winning education series is Free & Virtual!

Solutions for South Florida’s Future”

New this August — Virtual Sessions en Español!

Click to read the English-language version media advisory/ Lea la versión en español de este aviso de prensa aquí

South Floridians 18 and older who are passionate about the natural world and interested in fostering “conservation through community” can become more engaged, educated and effective environmental advocates by attending our free 2023 Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program.  Our award-winning education series is designed to activate environmental ambassadors who want to beat the drum for South Florida’s unique and endangered ecosystems.

This fall’s program will feature field trips and an interactive online format. All virtual sessions will now feature a Spanish-language interpreter to engage and empower our Spanish-speaking community members.

Participants will receive comprehensive advocacy training from environmental experts, and will come away with an in-depth knowledge of our region’s cornerstone ecosystems: The Everglades, Pine Rocklands and Tropical Hardwood Hammocks and Biscayne Bay. The end goal is to empower participants to activate their “Tropical Audubon Ambassador” education on behalf of South Florida’s wild places and the indigenous wildlife who inhabit them.

 

Tropical Audubon Ambassadors learn about Pine Rocklands on one of our free guided field trips.

 
  • Gain knowledge and skills to participate more fully in public discourse and advocacy campaigns. Learn about Miami-Dade County’s government structure, as well as state and national institutions, and the roles, rights and responsibilities of community members.

  • Learn how an environmental advocacy campaign works in this introduction to campaign strategy. How to develop a strategy for change, how to involve your community, supporters and detractors, and the power of your personal story are among the topics to be covered. Meet and learn from current campaign strategists from various local organizations and coalitions.

  • The history and science of the River of Grass, South Florida's most iconic ecosystem will be explored in this track. Learn about development issues, water management and the power struggle over the control of water resources. Gain knowledge about the birds and other wildlife who depend on the Everglades habitats. Discover why this ecosystem is so important ecologically, culturally and economically to Miami-Dade County. Learn about the current threats to conserving this vital natural resource and actions you can take.

  • Discover the complexity of the fire-dependent and globally imperiled Pine Rockland ecosystem and learn about Tropical Hardwood Hammocks in this track. Delve into the history of development along the Miami Rockridge that has led to <2 % of the county’s original Pine Rocklands remaining outside of Everglades National Park. Gain insights into government, private and NGO programs striving to protect the remaining fragments of these habitats in urban Miami such as the Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. Attendees can engage with local experts and get involved with ongoing initiatives, including the Connect to Protect Network.

  • Learn about our local water-quality issues and how you can become a voice for Biscayne Bay in this track. Gain insights into local, state, and federal laws and regulations that affect Biscayne Bay. Discover the economic, cultural and ecological importance of this aquatic ecosystem, the multiple threats it faces and what can be done to address them, as well as opportunities to take advocacy actions to protect it.

WHO CAN JOIN the Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program?

Tropical Audubon Ambassadors are passionate environmental advocates who want to make a lasting impact on conservation in Miami-Dade County. Ambassadors are a committed group of volunteers who care deeply about protecting habitat for birds and other wildlife. Anyone 18 and older is invited to join the Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program. We will provide you with the training and experience to participate in environmental advocacy within your community.

BY JOINING YOU WILL

  • Play an active role in shaping conservation in Miami-Dade County

  • Become part of a like-minded community that is passionate about South Florida’s natural places and the wildlife who rely on them

YOU WILL LEARN

Naturalist Roger Hammer on an Everglades field trip with Tropical Audubon Ambassadors.

Naturalist Roger Hammer on an Everglades field trip with Tropical Audubon Ambassadors.

  • The history, science and politics behind South Florida conservation issues focusing on Everglades Restoration, Pine Rocklands & Hardwood Hammocks and Biscayne.

  • Your civic rights, roles and responsibilities in Miami-Dade County in regard to environmental advocacy

  • The history of environmental issues in the county

  • National, State and County organizations and elected officials who impact environmental decisions

  • How the environment affects you and your community

  • How you can play a role in protecting your environment

AMBASSADOR BENEFITS

  • Access to monthly advocacy newsletter

  • Action alerts on critical advocacy actions

  • Monthly action calls

  • Field trips to expand your understanding of the environment you are helping to protect

  • Leadership development opportunities

  • Access to a toolbox of resources

  • Discussions with local experts


LEARN FROM OUR EXPERT

 
 

Stephanie Clements, Ph.D.

Stephanie Clements joined Tropical Audubon Society as Education & Advocacy Director in May 2022 after earning her Ph.D. in Biology from University of Miami. She has been passionate about conservation of our natural world from a young age, and brings expertise in conservation biology, interpretive programming and environmental advocacy to our organization.

The Pennsylvania native received her B.S. in environmental science from Roanoke College in Virginia before moving to Miami for graduate school. Throughout graduate school, Stephanie was invested in scientific outreach programs, both at UM and with area partner organizations, and also worked in fragmented habitats in Costa Rica and in Miami-Dade County, including Pine Rocklands. She also previously enjoyed tenures as an interpretive park ranger with the National Park Service, as a field manager with an environmental advocacy group, and as a children’s educational program instructor at a zoo. Her doctorate dissertation focused on conservation of reptiles and amphibians.

In her Education & Advocacy role, Stephanie will steward and expand the flagship Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program, which cultivates interested Miamians as environmental advocates. She plans to broaden the scope of this and other conservation-based advocacy programs to engage with historically underrepresented or excluded communities.

Stephanie strongly believes in engaging kids with nature from a young age, and looks forward to developing interactive learning opportunities for South Florida families, including a post-pandemic reboot of our society’s annual Bird Day.  

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys hiking, camping, traveling, spending time with friends, and playing with her indoor cat.


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How you can help, right now

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Photo Credits: Banner Photo of Snail Kite by Georgia Wilson