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 2025 program featuring online classes, field trips, deep dives with local experts and hands-on advocacy campaigns.

Explore Four South Florida Ecosystems

& don’t miss the new Imperiled Species Session

Registration closed for 2025

Everglades

Biscayne Bay

Pine Rocklands

Tropical Hardwood Hammock

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 2025 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.

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.

Civics & Advocacy 101

Campaigns

Everglades

Biscayne Bay

Pine Rocklands

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 federal institutions, and the roles, rights and responsibilities of community members. Learn how to engage with elected officials via a letter writing and public comment workshop.
Discover the complexity of our South Florida ecosystems, with a special emphasis on the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, Pine Rocklands and Tropical Hardwood Hammocks. Explore the science behind what makes these ecosystems unique, the factors that threaten their stability, and the economic, cultural and ecological importance of these endangered ecosystems.
Retrace South Florida’s development timeline. Discover which development decisions were most impactful, the origins of invasive species, and dive into the water resource power struggle.
Learn about the current issues impacting our local South Florida ecosystems from water flow to fire suppression to development. Discover how Climate Change impacts South Florida at the local level as an intensifier of our region’s existing environmental challenges — from water quality to carbon sequestration.
South Florida is home to an array of iconic wildlife — from Manatees to Panthers. Learn about these and other imperiled species, what led to their decline, and conservation efforts intended to protect them.
Gain knowledge about current protections and restoration efforts taking place in our local ecosystems. Discuss the efforts and policies that are working well, for land and species conservation and learn how to engage in current conservation efforts
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 one’s personal story are among the topics to be covered. Meet and learn from current campaign strategists from various local organizations and coalitions. Practice strategies for campaign design, and frame a campaign on an issue of personal importance during the workshop.

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. High school students under the age of 18 can join our high school program next summer!

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.*

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

Daniel John “DJ” Mlodozeniec

Daniel John Mlodozeniec joined Tropical Audubon Society in March 2025 as Education Director. The Western New York native brings with him an impressive expertise in environmental education, from directing summer nature camps, community science projects, afterschool STEM classes, and programs for youth and adults. He especially enjoys leading bird-themed programs, most notably “owl prowls.”

In addition to his considerable work experience in WNY, Daniel, who goes by “DJ,” enjoyed a stint at the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia as an Environmental Education Coordinator, designing and leading programs to attract visitors to the refuge, and teach them about swamp ecology. He also helped promote the Okefenokee Swamp as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site.

DJ was introduced to the Everglades as part of his studies at the University at Buffalo, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies. He immediately fell in love with the River of Grass and would thereafter return to South Florida regularly to deepen his understanding of the Everglades.

He’s now pouring his passion for South Florida’s unique ecosystems into his environmental education role, and strongly believes that by connecting locals to their natural world, he’s fostering a sense of care, curiosity, and belonging, which in turn may inspire conservation advocacy.

In his free time, DJ enjoys camping, canoeing, fishing, wildlife photography and anything that involves outdoor adventure.