University of Florida (Florida Museum of Natural History)

The Florida Museum of Natural History will collaborate with six zoos, natural history museums, and botanical gardens to develop a professional development program that will increase museum staff's capacity to communicate effectively to the public about conservation and environmental issues. At least 21 conservation, marketing, and education staff members will participate in quarterly workshops designed to promote sustained participant interactions, teamwork, and peer-to-peer learning. The collaborative will work with a communications and marketing agency to develop a framework that can be adopted and implemented as a community-based conservation communications campaign. The project activities will improve museum professionals' ability to develop and tell more engaging stories about the value of biodiversity and the important role of community-based conservation efforts.