Climate Change & Conservation

Florida

Duration 10 days

Suggested group size 12 - 100 students / 2-10 Envoys Field Staff

Suggested ages 12 - 18

Experience Conservation & Indigenous Knowledge
Climate Change

Inquire
more

Complex Communities: Climate Change & Conservation in South Florida

Florida

Miami, home to vibrant immigrant communities, is facing increasing challenges from climate change. Both the city and the delicate ecosystems of the Everglades and Florida Keys are highly vulnerable. On this program, we explore the realities of Miami and its natural surroundings, addressing challenges for conservationists, climate activists, and native species. We meet with organizations working hard to determine a sustainable future for the city and protections for its most vulnerable residents.

“The sun kisses the shores, and the Everglades whisper secrets of wildlife. “

“Florida is a state where every sunset paints the sky in hues of warmth and wonder.“

Impact Statement Everywhere we go, we carry a promise – to engage with respect, act with purpose, and leave a positive imprint. As envoys of our journey is more than travel; Our footprint is light, but our impact is profound, creating bridges of cooperation and mutual growth across the globe.

Day 1

The group is met by Envoys leaders at the airport, drops off their bags at the hotel and visits Maurice A. Ferré Park for a program briefing and lenses of inquiry activity. Then they visit the Frost Museum of Science and end the day with a mural tour in Wynwood and dinner at the Wynwood Marketplace.

Day 2

Dr. Corinna Moebius guides us through Little Havana, sharing insights on the Cuban diaspora and Miami's urban ecology. We engage in a project with Urban Greenworks and later attend a climate change seminar at the CLEO Institute. The day concludes with dinner and beach time in South Beach.

Day 3

We visit the Miami Climate Alliance, advocating systemic change for the climate crisis. Later, we head south, stopping at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden. We proceed to the Deering Estate to meet South Florida's diverse creatures, settling into on-site accommodations for dinner and games.

Day 4

Our second day at the Deering Estate begins with a morning walk through two unique ecosystems: Pine Rockland and Hardwood Hammock. In the afternoon, we participate in an ethnobotany workshop and visit the Cutler Burial Mound. In the evening, we meet the manatees that come by the Estate’s docks.

Day 5

We leave Deering Estate in the morning for Homestead, joining a tour to Biscayne National Park for a citizen science snorkeling activity. After a day in the coral reefs, we settle at Camp Owaissa Bauer for cabin accommodations and a campfire dinner.

Day 6

After breakfast, we join Swamp Apes, aiding veterans in tackling a python crisis in the Everglades. We take an airboat with an indigenous-owned company to the Miccosukee Indian Village, and explore the tribe's lifeways. The day ends with a sunset tram tour in Shark Valley in the Everglades.

Day 7

The day starts with a sunrise kayak tour in Everglades City, led by a local naturalist. After breakfast, we explore the exhibits at the Museum of the Everglades. Next, we visit the historic Smallwood Store, for a museum tour and meal and conclude the day with a sunset boat tour among the Everglades.

Day 8

We visit the Big Cypress Indian Reservation to explore the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, which tells the story of the Seminole people. We meet representatives from the Seminole Everglades Restoration Project, and take a hike in the Big Cypress National Preserve. Our day ends with a long reflection session.

Day 9

We meet representatives from Catalyst Miami, fostering collaboration and community engagement. Following this, an enriching public poetry workshop is facilitated by O, Miami. In the afternoon students work on their Pay-It-Forward projects and later unwind and relax with some beach time.

Day 10

The program ends with the Pay-It-Forward project presentations, showcasing participants' initiatives for positive community impact. Before boarding their flights home, students take part in the closing ceremony: an opportunity for reflection and celebration of our shared experiences.

Highlights

Lenses of Inquiry

Environmental Conservation

Students explore restoration and conservation challenges in the Florida Keys and Everglades with dedicated individuals. We study the effects of human habitation, conflicts between developers and conservationists and how the Indigenous stewardship of the land compares to the current situation.

Climate Activism

Miami's susceptibility to climate change, including sea-level rise and flooding, has driven residents to advocate for the environment. Students engage with organizations like the Miami Climate Alliance and the CLEO Institute, honing leadership skills to contribute effectively to climate action.

Indigenous Knowledge

Florida Seminoles, descendants of those who evaded U.S. army relocation, now around 4,000, live in and around the Everglades. This program engages with Seminole communities to understand their language, traditions, and life preservation and deep knowledge of the environment.