SCB North America Communications Committee

The goals of the Communications Committee are to:

• Raise awareness of and promote participation in past, current and future SCBNA events, activities, and initiatives
• Amplify and disseminate conservation science & other forms of knowledge, opportunities (grants/jobs) and relevant news from SCBNA, its members, chapters, SCB journals and working groups, and other respected sources.
• Promote the benefits of SCB(NA) membership and communicate about the opportunities and advantages of joining/engaging with committees & chapters
• Develop and/or enhance regular systems of communications within SCBNA structure (board/staff/committee volunteers), as well as with funders, SCB groups (EO/working Groups/sections/chapters), and other current and potential partners/collaborators.

As part of all communications goals, a priority will be to broaden outreach to underrepresented groups in conservation and actively work to engage groups that have been historically excluded in conservation efforts.

Get Involved!

We welcome new committee members interested in communications and conservation, and in contributing to one or more of the committee goals above!

Email the Committee: communications@scbnorthamerica.org

Committee Members

Lauren Jonaitis, Tropical Audubon Society, Communications Committee Chair

Lauren Jonaitis’ background includes science communication, environmental permitting/policy, land use planning and coastal ecology. Previously, she worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in the Imperiled Species Management Section where she worked to reduce artificial light pollution impacts to sea turtles and their nesting habitat. She then moved to the private sector where she was an Environmental / Coastal Scientist, focusing on environmental permitting and dune restoration/maintenance efforts. Currently she serves as the Senior Conservation Director for Tropical Audubon Society where she is responsible for strengthening Tropical Audubon’s policy capacity for conservation efforts, and for deepening engagement with local, state, and federal governments to enhance Tropical Audubon’s conservation impact. This includes developing Tropical Audubon’s influence in Miami Dade County (MDC) conservation policy for the organization’s strategic focal areas: Bird Conservation, Everglades Protection and Restoration, Biscayne Bay, Smart Growth and Climate Change.

Lauren received her bachelor’s degree in Zoology from the State University of New York at Oswego and an M.S. in Biology with a focus in Conservation Biology and Population Ecology from Bowling Green State University. She enjoys anything to do with wildlife and nature, traveling, art, meditation, horseback riding and currently resides in Miami, Florida.

Megan Keville, Director of Operations

Megan Keville’s background includes positions and research in science communication, restoration ecology, fire science and ecosystem ecology. Prior to joining SCBNA, Megan served as research coordinator in the Restoration Ecology Lab in the University of Montana’s College of Forestry and Conservation, and as co-coordinator with the Northern Rockies Fire Science Network. She also edited and produced the Society for Ecological Restoration’s quarterly newsletter. Megan received a B.A. in biology from Carleton College, MN, and an M.S. in Resource Conservation from the University of Montana. Megan lives and works in Weaverville, California.

Julianna Duran, Communications Intern & Conference Assistant

Julianna Duran is currently applying to graduate programs with a focus in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in Environmental Conservation. She received a bachelor’s degree in Wildlife Conservation from Virginia Tech and is from Washington D.C. She has a background in wildlife field biology and social media analytics.

Former Interns

Alexis Canney, Communications Intern

Alexis Canney is a master’s student in conservation and restoration science at the University of California, Irvine. She has a background in nonprofit fundraising and environmental education. She received a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Vassar College, NY and is from Brooklyn, NY.