Abstract
This project addressed the growing need for environmental education integrating Indigenous perspectives into marine conservation efforts. As environmental stressors increase in the Florida Keys due to human activities, conservation education is crucial in fostering awareness and changing public behavior. Dolphins Plus, a research and education facility in the Florida Keys, served as the venue for this project, which focused on bridging the gap between marine conservation initiatives and Indigenous perspectives, using the public’s connection with dolphins to enhance conservation messaging.
The approach involved creating diverse educational content, including social media campaigns, an outreach event, an educational lecture, and signage to promote environmental stewardship. Indigenous knowledge was woven throughout these efforts to highlight the deeprooted connection between communities and the marine environment. The project’s outputs included a series of educational materials: social media posts emphasizing marine conservation and Indigenous perspectives, an outreach event titled “Reconnect & Sea,” and an academic lecture targeted at children aged 6-12. A yoga session by the dolphins also served to reconnect participants with nature, fostering a deeper personal engagement with conservation.
Critical metrics for success included participant surveys conducted pre- and post-event to measure changes in knowledge and attitudes utilized internally at Dolphins Plus for future events. Although some components, like the educational lecture, will be fully implemented in future programming, the groundwork has been laid with preparatory materials and curriculum. The event attracted many participants and generated community interest in future events. Looking forward, the project offers a replicable template for future outreach, incorporating insights gained from Indigenous and scientific perspectives to promote sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. This initiative demonstrates the potential for cultural inclusivity to enrich environmental education, deepening the public’s connection to marine conservation.