Posts in: Reflections

One of the primary things that COMPASS staff hear from scientists and technical experts is that they want their communication efforts, in whatever form or medium, to have an impact.  And, of course, impact is driven by action, whether it’s policymakers advancing new clean air regulations, a community securing their trash cans to prevent human-wildlife confli...

In our work supporting change for the wellbeing of people and nature, we often face systems and practices that weren’t built for us or our goals — or in some cases, were actively designed to work against us. Like the walls of a building, these visible or invisible structures shape the paths we walk, the decisions we make, the resources we have access to, and, u...

Effective communication is reciprocal. It’s not just about getting your message across; it requires a back-and-forth between parties, where shared understanding and  mutual commitments develop as both parties work towards a common goal. That kind of two-way communication is essential not just when research is ready to be shared, but from the very beginning o...

This year, COMPASS is celebrating over 25 years of supporting science communication and engagement. Since our founding, we’ve had the privilege of learning alongside tens of thousands of passionate professionals who are working on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges of our time — from conservation to wildfire management, marine carbon ...

Summer is here! For many on our team the longer days usually involve finding a warm, sunny spot to dive into a great book. And there's few things better to do after reading a great book than to share it with others. So whether you're looking for a book to guide, entertain, or inspire you, we hope you consider checking out some of our team's picks. And don't forget ...

La’ Portia J. Perkins is part of COMPASS’s 2023 Wilburforce Leaders in Conservation Science. They are a multi-medium artist, poet, rapper, and natural resource scientist. They currently serve as a Project Manager at the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute, helping develop science, tools, and strategies for wind and solar siting and operations that minimize impa...