Program Director Natural History Institute, United States
What if you could regrow your limbs, do gas exchange through your skin, and had only a limited window each year in which to reproduce, during which time you had to dodge cars, survive freezing temperatures, and make it to a temporary pond with others of your species? Slimy, secretive, and deceptively charismatic, salamanders may seem an unlikely vehicle for science communication. But as ecologists, our work tells the story of how animals and plants interact with each other and with the environment. Natural history emphasizes the 'story' element, and engages the audience by helping them forge an emotional connection.
