Student Presentations

2023 Bren Communication Capstone Presentations

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MSI Auditorium / Online

Join us for the Class of 2023 Communication Capstone Presentations on Friday, June 9, from 12:30pm - 2:00pm Pacific Time. Students in the Strategic Environmental Media and Communication focus area of the Master of Environmental Science and Management program prepare final capstone projects in the areas of science communication, public outreach campaigns, marketing/public relations research and strategy, and video production.

Join us in the MSI Auditorium or watch online using this link and passcode comm

Program

This year we present seven dynamic projects for clients in the public, nonprofit, and corporate sectors:

Blue Whales Blue Skies: Certification Strategy, Sachiko Lamen, Anusha Sridhara, Devon Rossi, Julia Bickford

The BWBS program is a successful incentive program that slows ships in the SB Channel to reduce pollution & whale strikes—but it must become more widely adopted to have the intended impact. This team presents a strategy to build a pathway to certification through a brand ambassador network.

Chaparral & Public Land Mismanagement, Conner Smith, Tommy King

The chaparral ecosystem is prone to fire, but traditional fuel breaks that clear cut this underappreciated landscape can lead to some unintended consequences. This team delivers educational materials, talking points, and an op-ed on land management for Los Padres Forest Watch to spread awareness of proper land management.

‘Sustainable Ways by Day’: Sustainability Instagram, Daija Odom

Making sustainable choices when it comes to everyday buying decisions can be challenging for people who are not working in the environmental field. This Instagram strategy fills the gap by providing easy, practical, and fun sustainability tips, emphasizing connection with communities of color.

Clean Power Clean Health, Hollie Pennington, Sam Rozal

Health centers in the U.S. are vulnerable to unreliable power supplies during natural disasters and blackouts. To help bring reliable power, the Community Energy Company (CEC) provides solar & storage for health centers; this team created educational resources, infographics, and a video presentation to help CEC engage and encourage health center staff to transition to solar power.

LTER Video Series, Shayan Kaveh, Cristina Mancilla, Alessandra Puig-Santana, Charlie Wilson

The Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) network uncovers unique findings only possible through its long term approach to science. However, many are not aware of its contributions and potential. This team created a video series highlighting the benefits of participating in the LTER network and the scientific insights it can offer.

The Potential of Regenerative Agriculture, Taylor Gries, Anna Zauner, Sarah-Anne Rohlfing, Elijah Baker, Michelle Geldin

Regenerative agriculture offers unique environmental benefits that conventional agriculture cannot. This team created mixed media to advance the regenerative cause for White Buffalo Land Trust, including targeted papers to certifying bodies and ranchers, and a short film on how regenerative agriculture works, including its benefits.

Ocean Defenders Film: Partnership & Progress, Logan Ossentjuk, Abigail Sanford

Abandoned or lost fishing gear can be dangerous to sea life, and the Ocean Defender’s Alliance (ODA) is dedicated to removing it. This team created a short film on the collaboration between ODA and local fishers to make a big difference in the marine environment by removing fishing debris.

 

Learn more about BrenComm

Bren Comm is an academic program at the Bren School, with trainings open to Bren graduate students, though many workshops and events are open to the UCSB campus, and local community. Learn more about Bren Comm projects past and present, and how the program trains storytellers, strategic thinkers, and compelling communicators to solve environmental problems through creativity, media, and inspired outreach.