Partnering with Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology
The PIE Center partners with the Center for Landscape Conservation and Ecology to promote a better understanding of environmental issues. Alexa Lamm, associate professor of agricultural education and communication, has worked with Laura Warner, a researcher with CLCE and assistant professor of agricultural education and communication, on three projects examining how high water user audiences can be segmented for extension programming and water conservation campaigns. By informing the public about the findings from this research, two large homeowners associations in the Orlando area have altered their water using and landscaping policies. Learn more about the impact the PIE Center and CLCE are having on Florida communities by reading the Winter 2017 impact report from the PIE Center.
Impacting Coastal Communities
Angie Lindsey has helped lead Healthy Gulf, Healthy Communities, a five-year, multi-million dollar grant project where she focused on evaluating the response efforts of governmental agencies and non-profit organizations after the 2010 collapse of the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig. Lindsey, assistant professor
of family, youth and community science, helps prepare teams to develop community plans for times of disaster and understands the importance of effective communication that is delivered in a timely manner. Lindsey’s efforts were featured in the 2017 UF/IFAS Research Discoveries publication as a research project of impact. Even though Healthy Gulf, Healthy Communities has concluded, Lindsey remains committed to impacting the resiliency of coastal communities.
Science Communication Workshops
Ricky Telg, Joy Rumble, Angie Lindsey and Lisa Lundy conducted four workshops for over 200 Extension professionals throughout Florida. These workshops focused on improving their understanding of the importance of science communication, with specific topics including storytelling, working with media, social media and communicating contentious issues. These topics were chosen to specifically address the communication needs of Extension professionals.
Steering the Future of the Florida Wildlife Commission’s Turkey Management Program
Joy Rumble, assistant professor of agricultural education and communication, led a partnership between the PIE Center and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to examine the opinions of wild turkey hunters in Florida. Rumble’s team distributed mail surveys to turkey hunters throughout Florida, to collect data on Florida turkey hunters’ demographics and opinions on mentoring, hunting seasons, hunting regulations, and communication with FWC. The PIE Center developed a report and presented the findings to FWC. The Florida Wild Turkey Management Program is now using those findings to improve its strategic plan, management techniques, and communication strategies. Rumble is tracking the implementation of the findings of the study to see how the recommendations are put into practice.
Sharing Communication Techniques for Addressing Climate Change
Ricky Telg, Phillip Stokes, and Cassie Wandersee traveled to Denver, Colorado, for the Cattle and Climate Conversations Workshop where they led meaningful conversations on best practices for communicating about climate change. The workshop was designed to provide Extension and Natural Resources Conservation Service personnel from Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Oklahoma with insights on public opinion and how to address the needs of cattlemen and other stakeholders related to the cattle industry. Extension specialists and NRCS personnel in attendance left the workshop better equipped to teach and inform their constituents about climate trends and projections and how that impacts their region.
