Developing Leaders for a Sustainable Future LINDA SEALS AND HOLLY ABEELS UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA IFAS EXTENSION BREVARD COUNTY

What is the Sustainable Floridians ℠ Program? Mission ◦Guide participants to take individual responsibility for protecting Earth’s limited resources ◦Affect change in their community University experts combined with discussion and action format

Discussion to Action Format combined with University Experts

Sustainability Basics Modules Why You Should Care LandscapeConsumerismTransportation Water Climate Change Food SystemsEnergy Community Leadership & Engaging Others

What Participants Learn Reduce resource consumption Save money Become part of a transition to a more environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable future

What Participants Learn How to affect change in their community Remove barriers to change Critiquing information Effectively communicating with diverse audiences Motivated and inspired to take on leadership roles within community

How is the Program Implemented? Personally invite/recruit participants Survey participants to determine dates/times Variety of ways to implement the program ◦Meet for 2-4 hours weekly ◦7-10 week course ◦Weekday morning, afternoon, or evening, Saturday mornings

Increase in Knowledge 2014 class Pre/post test results for entire program show 8.7% increase in knowledge (pre=70.9%, post=79.6%) 2016 class Pre/post test given for each module Consumerism: pre=40%, post=86% Food: pre=73%, post=93% Water: pre=51%, post=80%

What Have They Done? Conserved water ◦“I now see water as a precious, rather than unlimited, natural resource to be used only when needed”. ◦Monthly water usage dropped between gallons Reduced energy consumption Recycled and donated products and purchase at yard sales, garage sales, and thrift shops 67% likely or very likely to consider the environmental impacts during the life cycle of products when making consumer purchases

Affect Change in the Community Volunteered with numerous organizations Involved in community projects Developed personal action plans Formed communities of practice Presented sustainability concerns to elected officials

Affect Change in the Community Consider the barriers to change when communicating with others about wicked issues and to research new information before accepting it as fact. Have talked to others about climate change and sea level rise and attended The Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps training. Involved in community or government activities by: ◦Attending county commission meetings ◦Writing letters to editor of local newspapers ◦Drafting “green guidelines” ◦Calling politicians ◦Joining a county advisory committee researching county government general policy matters

Questions LINDA SEALS - HOLLY ABEELS –