-Origin Story written by Anthea Lavallee, HBRF Executive Director-
In August 2019, HBRF Executive Director, Anthea Lavallee, organized a science briefing for U.S. Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH, 2nd District) at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest. She convened a panel of leading scientific experts on climate change, invasive pests, and forest health. The final presenter was Tristan Keller, a Field Technician for the U.S. Forest Service who spent her summer at Hubbard Brook working across a range of research projects. A young scientist in her early 20s, Tristan delivered a spell-binding presentation that had the audience and the Congresswoman bursting with applause. She described her summer at Hubbard Brook and how learning to read a map, use a chainsaw, and interpret long-term climate data prepared her to pursue a career in science. Tristan was open, knowledgeable, poised, and inspirational.
Tristan made an indelible impression. She reminded us of the often untapped potential for vibrant, sincere young scientists to capture our attention about pressing environmental issues. At HBRF, we were inspired to find new ways to support and empower young scientists like Tristan by providing confidence-building communication training and high-profile public engagement opportunities in the early stages of their careers.
Several months later, HBRF took a quantum leap forward when we proposed a Youth Climate and Clean Energy Town Hall during the lead-up to the 2020 NH Presidential Primary. Anthea joined partners from the League of Conservation Voters, the Revers Energy Center at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, and the Union of Concerned Scientists, to co-host a public, non-partisan event that brought presidential candidates together on-stage with climate and clean energy students from across the state. Student training with professional science-policy communicators was an essential element of the initiative. The event took place on February 5, 2020 in Concord, NH, and featured:
- 6 presidential candidates
- 20 environmental science and energy student panelists from NH high schools, colleges, and universities
- 72 media representatives from 40+ regional, national, and international outlets including ABC News, The Associated Press, The Boston Globe, The Chicago Tribune, CNN, Fox News, L.A. Times, The New York Times, NHPR, Politico, Reuters, TIME, and The Washington Post
- 500+ in-person audience participants
- 952 unique viewers via the live streaming link and 3,161 unique visitors to the event website
Proof-of-concept was clear. We elevated the climate conversation at a crucial decision point, informed the electorate, and provided a platform for young science and energy students to share their knowledge, concerns, and hopes for the future.
“These are literally the best questions I’ve ever had at a forum.”
– U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), NH Youth Climate & Clean Energy Town Hall
At HBRF, Anthea and her colleagues believe that fact-based debates and decisions about the environment flow from non-partisan dialogue between citizens and scientists. Young researchers, who will inherit the consequences of our environmental decision-making, are activated, educated, and ideal messengers.
“Today was the greatest and most immersive experiential learning opportunity I have had in my life. I feel so grateful and only wish more [classmates] could have experienced and reaped the benefits of this amazing occasion.”
– Kevin Yuan, Student Panelist, NH Youth Climate & Clean Energy Town Hall
In the fall of 2020, HBRF launched Young Voices of Science, a two-year pilot communication training program for environmental undergraduate and graduate students. Since then, participants have been learning effective methods for sharing their scientific work with non-technical audiences through public presentations, briefings for lawmakers, written reports (e.g., bulletins, white papers, op-eds), and storytelling. Social science collaborators and expert communication consultants provide workshops and practice sessions to prepare participants for public outreach, interacting with reporters, and giving compelling interviews for radio, television, print, and digital media. Learning to listen is a vital skill and equally important. Our public engagement approach prioritizes multi-way dialogue based on mutual respect and an awareness of audience values.
-Origin Story written by Anthea Lavallee, HBRF Executive Director-
Join us! We are just getting started and look forward to expanding this initiative in the years to come.
We are grateful for the generous support of An Anonymous Foundation, Bailey Charitable Foundation, the Canaday Family Charitable Trust, and the Cotyledon Fund. Thanks to the friendship and investment of these partners through the pilot phase, we are launching a generation of young scientists who are activated, agile, and adept public communicators.
-All NH Youth Climate & Clean Energy Town Hall Photos courtesy of Robert C Strong II Photography and The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College–
