Phipps Conservatory and The Wild Center Receive National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Climate Communication Project to Begin through Generous Funding

Pittsburgh, PA — Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens and The Wild Center were awarded a National Leadership Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). With this grant, the two institutions will develop their project, Climate Communication and Action for Museum Professionals (CCAMP), over the course of three years. The project will equip museum professionals with a climate education framework and development program that will empower cultural institutions to address climate change.

 
Phipps and The Wild Center place human and environmental well-being at the forefront of their respective organizations and see this important collaboration as an opportunity to engage and equip cultural institutions to lead the way in addressing climate change in the communities they serve. The project team will select two cohorts, each comprised of three staff from five museums — Anchorage Museum, Oakland Zoo, Montshire Museum of Science, Cincinnati Art Museum and Boise WaterShed — to participate in a year-long professional development program including a two-day in-person retreat, monthly virtual meetings, and team work on strategic initiatives to implement in their home institutions and communities.
 
Recognizing that youth are principal actors in this effort, the project will engage high school and college students who are involved in climate action at Phipps and The Wild Center to participate in the retreat and cohort meetings. This project will result in a suite of resources, a cross-sector network of museum professionals and institutions accelerating climate action, and a replicable model of professional development that can be widely used, adapted and scaled by museums across the field.
 
“Museums are institutions of trust, and it’s essential for us to be engaging our staff, visitors, and the communities we serve on climate action. Research from the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication has found that while 72% of Americans think climate change is happening, only 35% are talking about climate change occasionally. With this project we hope to create a supportive community for museum staff to build their confidence and competence in having climate conversations,” said Dr. Sarah States, Director of Research and Science Education at Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
 
“With a goal of creating more intergenerational dialogue on climate change education and action in communities, the Climate Communication and Action for Museum Professionals initiative will emphasize the opportunity for museums to connect with each other as well as meaningfully partner with young people. The Wild Center is looking forward to working and learning with museum professionals from across the nation,” said Jen Kretser, Director of Climate Initiatives at The Wild Center.

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About IMLS: The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
 

About Phipps: Founded in 1893, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA is a globally recognized green leader with a mission to inspire and educate all with the beauty and importance of plants; to advance sustainability and promote human and environmental well-being through action and research; and to celebrate its historic glasshouse. Encompassing 15 acres including a historic 14-room glasshouse, 23 distinct indoor and outdoor gardens and industry-leading sustainable architecture and operations, Phipps attracts more than half a million visitors annually from around the world. Learn more at phipps.conservatory.org.
 
About The Wild Center: The Wild Center invites visitors to explore new ways that people and nature can thrive in the Adirondacks. Located in Tupper Lake, NY the Center uses science-based experiences, exhibits and programs to open new ways to look into the relationship that people have with nature and to promote environmental best practices. A 54,000-square-foot facility on a 115 acre campus, The Wild Center features outdoor trails, live animals, art installations and its popular Wild Walk, an elevated trail across the Adirondack treetops.  A Silver LEED certified organization, the Center is an education and demonstration site for green design and education on climate change. The Wild Center’s Youth Climate Program is a globally recognized initiative that convenes young people on climate change science, impacts, justice, and solutions. The program has inspired over 170 Youth Climate Summits in 8 countries and 24 states. Learn more at  www.wildcenter.org