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.
Bernie Traversari, Director of Operations and Programs
Bernie’s background includes research in developmental ecology and amphibian conservation and positions in non-profit leadership, community outreach, and science education. Before joining SCBNA, Bernie served as the Director of Science Outreach at Edgewood College in Madison, WI, where he led the development and implementation of community-based science education programs for underrepresented communities across the state. He is also a current Board Member of the Urban Learning Collaborative, a Milwaukee-based non-profit aimed at training the next generation of K-12 educators. Bernie is passionate about connecting scientists with community leaders, grassroots organizations, and students of all ages through his role at SCBNA, all in an effort to protect our natural world. Bernie received a B.S. in Biology from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, and an M.S. in Biology from Washington State University. He lives and works in Milwaukee, WI, with his wife, Alexandra, and their cat, Zuri.
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.
Mitchell Latzman, Graduate Student at University of Miami
Bio and photo coming soon!
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.
SCBNA COMMUNICATIONS