Shaking Up South Florida - An Interview with Marine Educator Shannon Jones
BY DANA TRICARICO
1.) What is your current job and what does it entail?
Currently, I am the Conservation Programs Manager at The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science. I help manage and coordinate our conservation efforts, which include coastal restoration both above and below water! We are heavily involved in coral reef restoration through research and citizen science. I run our MUVE program, which stands for Museum Volunteers for the Environment. This program allows the Miami community to get involved with habitat restoration and enhancement by removing and tracking marine debris and invasive species, as well as planting and cultivating native vegetation to create a more resilient and healthy environment.
2.) What was the trajectory that led you to this position?
At a young age, I fell in love with the ocean. I wanted to be a marine biologist and study dolphins. As I grew, studied, and learned, I came to realize that our world's resources are not being adequately conserved and need help in order to survive. Additionally I realized many people don't know how to protect the ocean or environment and why it is important. It became my goal in life is to teach this message, in hopes of inspiring a love of nature and a yearning to make changes in order to protect the world around us.
3.) Did you always know you wanted to be an educator?
No, actually, I tired to avoid it on multiple occasions, but I kept coming back to some form of informal education and community engagement. If you talk to anyone in the animal care world, you will find there is a joke that most people are animal people or people people, but not both. Turns out, I am a bit of both which makes me a pretty good candidate for teaching the important information needed to protect our environment, animals and resources. I think I found a really good balance in my job where I am constantly doing conservation work, but I am also able to teach and engage the community.
4.) What is your favorite story from a time someone who changed their thinking or their lifestyle from your messaging?
One of my now best friends, but previous employee, is hands down my favorite story! I met her as a summer camp instructor at the marine life park we worked at. I was her supervisor and she was just doing this job while she got through school. She was majoring in PR and Communications. Once we began working together and becoming friends, I slowly started introducing her to sustainably things that she hadn't known or cared about before. She is such a go-getter and took everything on ten-fold. I watched her passions for marine science and marine education grow right before my eyes. Now she is managing a bunch of her own projects and making amazing changes in the community!
5.) What is your favorite form of educating the public? Lectures, citizen science, etc.
My favorite way to education the public is through hands on activities and informal conversations. I like to get to know individuals and answer questions. For example, when we are planting our restoration sites, I like walking around and seeing how everyone is doing. A lot of times I will get unique questions that spark thought on some of the issues we are seeing here in Miami and ideas of solutions. I am a visual learner so getting our hands dirty and trying something new to me is the best way to create unique experiences and memories that hopefully inspire change down the line.
6.) What are your goals in this career moving forward?
I would love to keep mentoring future marine scientists to follow their passions. I recently co-founded a non-profit, MORAES (@soflomoraes), which has a goal to do just that. Get young marine scientists and environmentalist involved and be able to really hone their skills and follow their passions for marine science, however that may look to them. I love being a guiding hand to help future generations!
7.) For those trying to break into this field, what advice can you give?
GET INVOLVED. There is absolutely, positively no better way. Volunteer or apply for internships. Get to know your teachers and talk to those running the volunteer events. We are here to help and we want to! The more people you know in the field the more you realize how small it is and everyone is connected. If you volunteer with me and want to get a job with someone down the line, I might just have a contact or a network to give you that step up!
