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

Click Here to APPLY for the summer 2024 program Today (Deadline June 14)

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

Apply today for our empowering FREE 2024 High School program featuring online classes, an Everglades field trip, deep dives with local experts and hands-on advocacy campaigns.

Everglades by Mier Chen

Pine Rocklands by Ana Lima

Biscayne Bay by Ahmet Demiroglu

South Florida High School students who love the natural world can now foster “conservation through community” and earn service hours via the new summer edition of our award-winning Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program. The inaugural 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 July 1-20, 2024 and themed “Bending the Curve,” the curriculum is designed to inspire students to activate their “Tropical Audubon Ambassador” education to help halt and reverse biodiversity loss across South Florida.

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 25 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. A field trip to Everglades National Park will bring their studies to life.

To qualify for a Certificate of Program Completion, students are required to complete all 6 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 the Ocean Reef Conservation Association.

PROGRAM DETAILS

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.
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.
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 how to navigate misinformation in the media with a guest lecturer from the The CLEO Institute. Learn about what personal actions to take to help combat climate change, “bending the curve” to slow current trends.
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 2024 graduate.

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.*

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 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, Ph.D., joined Tropical Audubon Society as Education & Advocacy Director in May 2022. 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.

In her Education & Advocacy role, Stephanie stewards the flagship Tropical Audubon Ambassador Program, which transforms conservation-curious Miamians into pro-active environmental advocates. She also leads our youth education programming via our new Chirp! initiative, focused on providing hands-on environmental learning opportunities to children from underserved communities.

Stephanie strongly believes in connecting kids with nature from a young age, and enjoys developing interactive learning opportunities for South Florida families, including our society’s annual Bird Day.

Stephanie received her Ph.D. in Biology from the University of Miami where her dissertation focused on conservation of reptiles and amphibians in human-modified landscapes in Miami and Costa Rica. She has authored ten scientific publications with more in the works. As part of her doctorate, Stephanie conducted extensive field work in local ecosystems, including Pine Rocklands, Hardwood Hammocks and the Everglades.

Originally from Pennsylvania, she received her B.S. in environmental science from Roanoke College in Virginia before moving to Miami for graduate school, where she was invested in scientific outreach programs with local youth. 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 multiple roles curating and facilitating educational materials for young learners.

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