Engaging Visitors in Climate Change Communication: A Case Study of Southern Florida's National Parks and Wildlife Refuges

Abstract

Through the lens of place-based climate change communication, this manuscript compares results from internal and external assessments of capacity to communicate about climate change at national parks and refuges in southern Florida. The internal survey sample included agency staff, stakeholders, community partners, and concessionaires; the external survey sample included visitors to Everglades and Biscayne National Parks and the National Key Deer Refuge. Results demonstrate a significant gap in visitors’ versus staff and partners’ awareness of climate change impacts in these areas. Communicating with the public about climate change is not currently a top priority for the region's protected areas and partners, but the opportunity to engage visitors in this issue through place-based engagement is supported with this study.