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

Click Here to Apply for the 2025 Program

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

Apply today for our empowering FREE 2025 High School program featuring online classes, field trips, deep dives with local experts and hands-on advocacy campaigns.

New this Summer!

Environmental Justice & Imperiled Species Sessions

Two Field Trips

Pine Rocklands by Federico Acevedo

Great Egret in the Everglades by Federico Acevedo

Biscayne Bay at Sunrise by Ana Lima

South Florida High School students who love the natural world can foster “conservation through community” and earn 31 service hours via our second annual summer high school edition of our award-winning Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program. The high school version of the environmental series was launched to help empower a new generation of young leaders to become more engaged, educated and effective environmental advocates.

"Scheduled for June 30-July 26, 2025 and themed "Bending the Curve," the curriculum is designed to inspire students to activate their inner "Tropical Audubon Ambassador" and help halt and reverse biodiversity loss across South Florida. A field trip to Everglades National Park and another South Florida ecosystem (TBD) will bring their studies to life.

Learning will be structured with a virtual Zoom component for remote flexibility and the ease of engaging online, and with in-person events to enhance networking and provide hands-on experiences.

In addition to earning up to 31 service hours, aspiring High School Ambassadors will receive comprehensive advocacy training from environmental experts, will gain a deeper understanding of our region’s indigenous wildlife and our cornerstone ecosystems — The Everglades, Biscayne Bay, Pine Rocklands, and Tropical Hardwood Hammocks — learn new skills and network.

To qualify for a Certificate of Program Completion, students are required to complete all 8 virtual Zoom sessions. Attendance at the in-person events is highly encouraged.

Tropical Audubon Society’s High School Ambassador Program is FREE thanks to our Conservation Sponsor Everglades National Park and to the financial support of The Miami Foundation, Everglades Foundation and National Audubon Society.

PROGRAM DETAILS

After a series of greetings and conversations as a group, gain knowledge and acquire skills to participate more fully in public discourse and advocacy campaigns. Learn pertinent legal processes and governmental structures along with the roles, rights, and responsibilities of community members.
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. Learn how to contribute to community science and enhance knowledge of our local biodiversity.
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.
From Manatees to Panthers, South Florida possesses a vast array of iconic wildlife. Learn about South Florida’s imperiled species, the events that led to their decline, and local conservation efforts to protect them.
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. Discuss the future of our region in the face of climate change and learn about what personal actions to take to help combat climate change, “bending the curve” to slow current trends.
Develop an understanding of the vital importance environmental justice plays in environmental restoration and advocacy. Learn the unequal burden people bear relative to our environmental issues in South Florida and what is being done to combat this.
Gain knowledge about current protections and restoration efforts taking place in our local ecosystems. Discuss the efforts and policies that are working well, and what needs to be done to protect and restore Miami-Dade County’s natural heritage. Learn how to engage in current efforts, and share ideas with others in the community.
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.

Apply TODAY!

WHO CAN JOIN the Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program High School Edition?

The Tropical Audubon Society High School Ambassador Program is open to any incoming or current high school student, or any recent 2025 graduate. Waiver Required.

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
Earn up to 31 hours of community service

YOU WILL LEARN

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

How high school students can engage with elected officials, along with an overview of our civic structure at the federal, state, and county levels.
An introduction to South Florida’s ecosystems, with a special emphasis on the Everglades, Biscayne Bay, Pine Rocklands, and Tropical Hardwood Hammocks.
South Florida’s history of development and how to “bend the curve” to ensure a better future for our region.
How development and policy decisions impact birds, other wildlife, our human communities and water resources.
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 – and how we must “bend the curve” to reverse current trends.
Which local conservation efforts are working well and how to enhance them.

AMBASSADOR BENEFITS

Access to monthly advocacy newsletter
Action alerts on critical advocacy actions
Monthly action calls
Field trip to Everglades National Park and second South Florida Ecosystem 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 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.