Abstract

This article summarizes the strategy used to create an applied science education campaign to address the long-term management of the south Florida marine ecosystem within the boundaries of the South Florida Restoration project. The South Florida Marine Ecosystem Outreach Program was developed to create a coordinated education effort in the region to address the long-term management and restoration goals for the south Florida marine ecosystems. The goals of the program are: 1) to provide communication links between Florida citizens and the research community working toward ecosystem management in order to empower citizens to make science-based decisions on issues that affect these ecosystems; 2) to provide outreach education that addresses local and regional water quality issues and concerns; and 3) to provide information to upland and coastal communities about local marine water quality, living marine resources, protected species that impact the South Florida coastal ecosystem that will stimulate changes in behavior to support effective restoration and management efforts. A four-step process was used to guide the campaign activities. This document describes the actions of each of the steps being 1) needs assessment, 2) program design, 3) implementation and 4) evaluation. A summary including recommendations for short- and long-term activities is included for the purpose of improving the understanding of land-sea interactions in the South Florida ecosystem and adaptive management of the watershed

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