EmpowerU Florida

Are you concerned about natural resource issues in your community and feel compelled to do more? Learn how to use science-based information to engage with decision-makers and make a difference!

About the program

EmpowerU is a program designed to expand your skills in using science-based information to meaningfully engage decision-makers about issues YOU are concerned about. It was developed in collaboration with experts from University of Minnesota. UF/IFAS Extension was part of this collaboration; Shelly Johnson attended training in Minnesota with colleagues to refine the curriculum and then adapt the content to Florida.

This 8-week training uses a flipped classroom format where you’ll spend approximately 12 hours learning on your own via the videos, readings, discussions, and writing assignments on the course website. During that time, there will also be three 90-minute live, virtual workshop sessions held online. Finally, participants meet together in person as a group to practice the skills they have learned during a final 4-hour workshop. This is fundamentally a training in science communication, so it's really important that we practice communicating with real people.

No prior knowledge is needed; only interest and willingness to engage!

What will you learn?

Topics include the following:

Engagement: what, who and why?
Start with Good Information
Who can help solve your issue?
Influence, Power & Persuasion
Listening & Questions
Naming and Framing the Issue
How will you engage?
Learning from others

Our goals for you by the end of this course are that you will:

Have an understanding of: influence, power, persuasion, framing, questioning and listening AND how to use them in interactions with decision-makers.
Have an understanding of roles and levels of government and who to contact.
Know where to find reputable information in your city/county/state.
Apply what you have learned to interact with decision-makers to share information, give input on policies and plans, and in general be active in your area of interest.
See yourself as a resource to decision-makers.
View engagement with decision-makers as a norm and encourage others to do it.
Develop an individualized plan to engage with a decision-maker in your community on an issue of your choice.

Can I advocate? I didn't think I could.

Not all engagement with decision-makers is political advocacy!
For example, many volunteers and landowners engage with their local decision-makers about natural resources. They might volunteer at a local park or manage the roadway adjacent to their property to remove invasive plants, and in that role engage with the land manager about natural resource management.
This training is focused on finding and engaging the right decision-maker for the change you hope to make, and NOT specifically on lobbying elected officials or getting legislation passed (although a participant could choose to pursue that if that is their goal).

Does this training only apply to natural resources?

No! This course does use natural resources as the example topic of engagement, but the skills and civic engagement content could be used for many different issues.

So far, so good!

In 2021, EmpowerU received a national Achievement Award for Innovative Program from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals (ANREP).

EmpowerU has been taught in at least 8 different states to Extension volunteers and participants, such as master gardeners, master naturalist, forest landowners, natural resource professionals, and more.

To date, Shelly Johnson has taught the program 7x in Florida: five times to an audience of Extension volunteers and general participants; and twice as an In-Service Training for UF/IFAS County Extension Agents.

She has presented on the program at National and State professional conferences, and has co-authored a publication, "Designing Social-Ecological Programs to Support Extension Participants in Civic Engagement" (2024) in The Journal of Extension.

What are people saying?

Florida participants have built confidence to use science-based knowledge to engage in their community:

96% of participants agreed they have a deeper understanding about how to engage decision-makers in addressing natural resources.

92% of participants agreed they have situations in which they plan to use what they have learned.

One participant stated, “I’m now planning to reach out to a group who can help address the issue that I am passionate about. I have been a bit nervous about doing that before, but I feel more confident now that I have taken this course”.

An IFAS Extension agent said, “This course is an incredibly valuable experience! I communicate science to others as a regular part of my job and still learned new communication techniques and got a different perspective on how to approach issues in an effective manner".

Upcoming trainings

Brevard County Extension: September 15 - November 8, 2025

EmpowerU! is a program designed to expand your skills in using science-based information to meaningfully engage decision-makers about issues YOU are concerned about. Instructors do not advocate for any particular position; instead, they guide participants on practical communication strategies, how to effectively present science-based information, and how to build strong, respectful relationships with decision-makers. Participants can be anyone interested in creating change in their community; ideal for Extension volunteers/participants, including master gardeners, master naturalists, water stewards, or any concerned citizen. No prior knowledge is needed; only interest and willingness to fully participate!

Dates: This program is a 8-week series (September 15 – November 8, 2025) with approximately 12 hours self-paced online learning activities, three 90-minute live online workshops (Tuesday evenings), and a final 4-hour workshop in-person in Brevard County (online option may be available TBD; please inquire before registering).

Online Workshop Schedule (attendance at each session is expected):

Sept 16, 2025 @ 6:00-7:30pm ET

Sept 22-26 - each participant meets 1:1 with instructor

Oct 7, 2025 @ 6:00-7:30pm ET

Oct 21, 2025 @ 6:00-7:30pm ET

Final Workshop (attendance is expected):

Nov 8, 2025 @ 9:00am - 1:00pm ET (In-Person at the UF/IFAS Extension office in Cocoa, FL – Brevard County)

Register here; registration will close when capacity is reached, and no later than Sept 6. Completion of all online modules and all workshop sessions (both online and in-person) are required; please only register if you can allot at least 2 hours of self-directed online work each week AND be able to engage in all of the workshop sessions.

Contact:

This training will be instructed by:

Shelly Johnson PhD., State Specialized Agent in Natural Resource, UF/IFAS Extension

Angelika Keene, Community Development Agent, Brevard County UF/IFSAS Extension

For information about this upcoming training, contact: angelika.keene@ufl.edu

In-Service Training for UF/IFAS Extension Agents - TBD

The next IST is not yet scheduled; please let me know if you are interested. I am considering a training for Winter 2024.

This program is typically a 4-6-week series with approximately 8-10 hours online training via Canvas and 2-3 live sessions (via Zoom or in person). Completion of all online modules and sessions are required to complete the course.

Target Audience:

Train-the-trainer or professional development; intended for UF/IFAS Extension Agents, but may be open to other educators, trainers, or professionals as appropriate.

Instructor:

Shelly Johnson, State Specialized Agent in Natural Resource, UF/IFAS Extension

Please contact Shelly.Johnson@ufl.edu with questions

Upcoming Trainings - Virtual or In-Person options

Please let me know if you are interested in this training and your location - OR if you would prefer a 100% virtual option.

This program is typically a 4-6-week series with approximately 8-10 hours online training via Canvas and 3-4 live sessions (via Zoom and/or in person). Completion of all online modules and sessions are required to complete the course.

Target Audience:

Anyone interested and willing to engage; ideal for Extension volunteers or participants, or any public community member. No prior experience needed.

Instructor(s):

Shelly Johnson, State Specialized Agent in Natural Resource, UF/IFAS Extension AND a local IFAS Extension Agent.

Please contact Shelly.Johnson@ufl.edu with questions

If you are interested in enrolling in a program, OR an extension agent curious about bringing a program to your county:

contact

shelly.johnson@ufl.edu

Dr. Shelly Johnson, Ph.D.

State Specialized Agent in natural resources with IFAS Extension, Affiliate faculty in Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida

Faculty Profile page

Learn more about Shelly's other Natural Resources Extension programs and projects!

University of Florida IFAS Extension is is an Equal Opportunity Institution committed to diversity of people, thought and opinion, to inclusiveness and to equal opportunity.

The University of Florida is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. For disability accommodations such as sign language interpreters and listening devices, please contact Shelly Johnson (shelly.johnson@ufl.edu, 352-294-0757) at least 2 weeks in advance. Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

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