Leadership
Turning Research Into Local Action Through Science Communication and Stewardship
Background
From October 2022 through December 2024, I conducted a media analysis of North Atlantic right whale news coverage using a dataset compiled by Ph.D. candidate Amadi Sefah Twerefour. I was assigned the 2021 subset and independently developed an RStudio-based research plan to evaluate how news framing affects public awareness of conservation issues. My findings revealed a troubling pattern: in the U.S., emotionally resonant stories of whale deaths, policy changes, and ecological urgency were underrepresented, especially in widely read media outlets. Simultaneously, most incidents affecting right whales occurred off the coast of the U.S., but these stories were not being told.
Later, during my 2023 NOAA IN FISH internship, I worked on international fisheries policy and saw firsthand how scientific research must be paired with public engagement to be effective. Both experiences showed me that environmental problems don’t begin or end with data, but they instead live or die based on whether people understand and care.
This realization was a driving force behind my founding Rewild 2gether, a community-based environmental initiative that combines education, creative collaboration, and direct stewardship. The project connects artists, small businesses, and volunteers to promote sustainable practices, fund conservation causes, and organize hands-on environmental activities. Rewild 2gether serves as a platform to bring the communication principles from my research into tangible action.
Artifacts in this section, such as the Right Whale Research Poster, IN FISH Final Presentation, Community Cleanup Flyer, and Rewild 2gether resources, show how my academic insights were translated into local, actionable leadership.
Issue and Opportunity
Environmental degradation often persists not just because of policy gaps or resource constraints, but because people feel disconnected from the issues. Conservation communication often speaks past everyday communities. I believe science becomes meaningful when it’s shared clearly, and environmental values grow strongest when they’re tied to lived experience, like caring for a nearby stream, meeting an artist whose work is inspired by wildlife, or participating in a cleanup that visibly transforms a space.
Goal
To use my research and communication skills to engage local communities in environmental awareness through guest speaking, community cleanups, and accessible science storytelling.
Planned Actions
Design a Visual Workshop for Students and Community Groups
I will adapt my North Atlantic right whale research poster into a concise, interactive presentation on conservation, media framing, and storytelling about endangered species. This workshop will serve as an outreach tool for classrooms and local groups.Guest Speak at Local Schools
I will offer classroom visits introducing students to science communication and media literacy in environmental topics. This helps them better see how the stories we hear and read shape what we protect.Join and Promote Community Cleanups
I will coordinate cleanup events in partnership with artists and small businesses, blending environmental action with creative engagement. These events will also raise funds for conservation organizations through the sale of eco-conscious merchandise to those involved.Build Local Science Communication Presence
I will utilize Rewild 2gether as a platform to share blog posts, infographics, and short-form writing aimed at community groups, peers, and students, with a focus on clarity, accessibility, and emotional connection.
Evaluation Metrics
Number of classrooms, community groups, or events engaged with
Feedback from teachers, students, or participants, and collaborators
Visible impact of cleanups and participation rates
Funds raised for conservation causes through Rewild 2gether
Growth in my confidence and reach as a science communicator
Connection to Key Insights
Insight 1: My research on whale media coverage showed me how invisible urgent issues can become if not framed well.
Insight 2: My interdisciplinary background, especially in writing, helps me connect with broader audiences.
Insight 3: Systems change begins locally. Rewild 2gether turns systems thinking into action by showing people their place in the larger environmental network.