When Preaching to the Choir Isn't Preaching to the Choir: Churches, Trees, and Environmental Perspectives

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Ecologists are charged with understanding and communicating the ecological values of the natural world from the standpoint of science. They are trained to bring the tools of science—observation, experimentation,modeling—to document patterns, understand processes, and make predictions following disturbance. Ecologists are also trained to communicate their research findings to other scientists in language that is efficient, technical, and targeted toward our closest peers.

There is nothing wrong with this mode of understanding or communication. However, it is growing increasingly clear that scientists—at least some scientists—must go beyond the typical modes of scientific communication if they are to be effective in motivating the large pool of non-scientists to understand, conserve, and sustainably use the natural world.