{"id":840,"date":"2026-11-04T12:22:20","date_gmt":"2026-11-04T12:22:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/?page_id=840"},"modified":"2026-11-06T14:01:37","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T14:01:37","slug":"840-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/","title":{"rendered":"Home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<style>\n\/* Mike Waltman homepage v4. 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.mw-hero-copy{min-width:0}\n.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo{margin:0;min-width:0}\n.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo img{display:block;width:100%;height:auto;max-height:430px;object-fit:contain;border-radius:4px;box-shadow:0 12px 32px rgba(20,56,56,.1)}\n.mw-rehome .mw-publication-note{font-size:12px;line-height:1.6;margin-top:15px;color:#617978}\n@media(max-width:820px){.mw-rehome .mw-hero-layout{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:36px}.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo{max-width:460px}}\n@media(max-width:580px){.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo{max-width:100%}.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo img{max-height:340px}}\n\/* Small field-experience section, kept below the work and background. *\/\n.mw-rehome .mw-field{background:#f8fbf9;padding:66px 0 70px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}\n.mw-rehome .mw-field-head{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:40px;align-items:end;margin-bottom:28px}\n.mw-rehome .mw-field-head h2{margin-top:11px;max-width:460px}\n.mw-rehome .mw-field-head p{font-size:15px;line-height:1.75;max-width:480px}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:minmax(0,1fr);gap:24px;align-items:start;max-width:780px;margin-inline:auto}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review{margin:0;min-width:0;border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:4px;background:white;overflow:hidden}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review a{display:block;background:#fff}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review img{display:block;width:100%;height:auto;object-fit:contain;transition:opacity .2s}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review a:hover img{opacity:.88}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review figcaption{font-size:12px;letter-spacing:.01em;padding:11px 15px;border-top:1px solid var(--line);color:var(--muted)}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review-source{font-size:13px;margin-top:18px}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review-source .mw-link{font-size:13px;margin-left:5px}\n@media(max-width:800px){.mw-rehome .mw-field-head{grid-template-columns:1fr;gap:14px}.mw-rehome .mw-review-grid{grid-template-columns:1fr}.mw-rehome .mw-field{padding:54px 0 58px}}\n\/* Remove white bars from the hero photograph *\/\n.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo {\n  aspect-ratio: 4 \/ 3;\n  overflow: hidden;\n  border-radius: 4px;\n  box-shadow: 0 12px 32px rgba(20,56,56,.1);\n}\n.mw-rehome .mw-hero-photo img {\n  display: block;\n  width: 100%;\n  height: 100% !important;\n  max-height: none !important;\n  object-fit: cover;\n  object-position: center;\n  border-radius: 0;\n  box-shadow: none;\n}\n.mw-rehome .mw-review-help{font-size:13px;line-height:1.55;color:var(--muted);margin-top:15px}\n\n\/* Mobile reviews: legible, fixed cards; original desktop screenshots stay unchanged. *\/\n.mw-rehome .mw-review-mobile{display:none}\n@media(max-width:680px){\n .mw-rehome .mw-review-grid{width:100%;max-width:100%}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review .mw-review-desktop{display:none}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review .mw-review-mobile{display:block;padding:19px 18px 8px}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review-quote{font-family:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;font-size:clamp(17px,4.6vw,19px);line-height:1.48;color:#1a3035;margin:0 0 10px}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review-context{font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#53696c;margin:0 0 12px}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review .mw-review-full-link{display:inline-block;margin:0 0 10px;font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:#146d6b;text-decoration:underline;text-underline-offset:3px}\n .mw-rehome .mw-review figcaption{padding:10px 18px}\n}<\/style>\n\n<main class=\"mw-rehome\" aria-label=\"Mike Waltman conservation communications portfolio\">\n  <section class=\"mw-hero\" aria-labelledby=\"mw-home-title\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap mw-hero-layout\">\n      <div class=\"mw-hero-copy\">\n        <div class=\"mw-kicker\">Mike Waltman<\/div>\n        <h1 id=\"mw-home-title\">Conservation communications<\/h1>\n        <p class=\"mw-lede\">Strategic planning, science communication, and content development.<\/p>\n        <div class=\"mw-links\">\n          <a class=\"mw-button\" href=\"\/?page_id=871\">View communications work <span aria-hidden=\"true\">\u2197<\/span><\/a>\n          <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"#selected-reporting\">Published environmental reporting \u2193<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <figure class=\"mw-hero-photo\">\n        <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Sea-kayak-pic-resize-1.jpg?ssl=1\" alt=\"Mike Waltman kayaking on the water\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\">\n      <\/figure>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section class=\"mw-main\" id=\"selected-work\" aria-labelledby=\"mw-selected-work-title\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-heading\">\n        <div><div class=\"mw-kicker\">Selected work<\/div><h2 id=\"mw-selected-work-title\">Communications and writing<\/h2><\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-work\">\n        <article class=\"mw-project\">\n          <div class=\"mw-kicker\">01 \/ Hypothetical communications case study<\/div>\n          <h3>Florida&#8217;s Coral Reef &amp; BleachWatch 2027<\/h3>\n          <p>An independent project examining communications for Florida&#8217;s coral-reef program, including a proposed campaign to recruit recreational divers for BleachWatch observer training.<\/p>\n          <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"\/?page_id=871\">Explore the case study \u2197<\/a>\n          <p class=\"mw-meta\">Independent portfolio project. Not affiliated with, commissioned by, or endorsed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.<\/p>\n        <\/article>\n        <div class=\"mw-reporting\" id=\"selected-reporting\">\n          <div class=\"mw-kicker\">02 \/ Published environmental reporting<\/div>\n          <article class=\"mw-article\">\n            <h3>Can we protect ocean ecosystems and support thriving fishing and ocean energy industries, too?<\/h3>\n            <p><strong>Originally published in Ensia<\/strong> (University of Minnesota\u2019s Institute on the Environment) \u00b7 Reporting on marine protection, fisheries, and offshore energy in Ireland.<\/p>\n            <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"https:\/\/goodmenproject.com\/featured-content\/can-we-protect-ocean-ecosystems-and-support-thriving-fishing-and-ocean-energy-industries-too\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read reprint at The Good Men Project \u2197<\/a>\n          <\/article>\n          <article class=\"mw-article\">\n            <h3>Can forest expansion balance climate change, economic growth and ecological health?<\/h3>\n            <p><strong>Originally published in Ensia<\/strong> (University of Minnesota\u2019s Institute on the Environment) \u00b7 Reporting on forest expansion, commercial forestry, and ecological restoration in Ireland.<\/p>\n            <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"https:\/\/groundtruth.app\/can-forest-expansion-balance-climate-change-economic-growth-and-ecological-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read reprint at Ground Truth \u2197<\/a>\n          <\/article>\n          <article class=\"mw-article\">\n            <h3>Human-Wildlife Conflict Can Take Steep Toll on Education<\/h3>\n            <p><strong>Earth Island Journal<\/strong> \u00b7 Reporting on human-wildlife conflict in Ghana and its effects on children&#8217;s education.<\/p>\n            <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earthisland.org\/journal\/index.php\/articles\/entry\/ghana-human-wildlife-conflict-toll-on-education\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Read at Earth Island Journal \u2197<\/a>\n          <\/article>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section class=\"mw-about\" aria-labelledby=\"mw-about-title\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap mw-about-grid\">\n      <div><div class=\"mw-kicker\">Background<\/div><h2 id=\"mw-about-title\">Writing and coastal connection.<\/h2><\/div>\n      <div>\n        <p>My background combines environmental reporting, ocean lifeguarding, and sea-kayak guiding. I&#8217;ve researched and written about conservation issues in different parts of the world, while my work outdoors has kept me connected to coastal environments and communities.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section class=\"mw-field\" aria-labelledby=\"mw-field-title\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap\">\n      <div class=\"mw-field-head\">\n        <div>\n          <div class=\"mw-kicker\">Field experience<\/div>\n          <h2 id=\"mw-field-title\">Interpreting the natural world.<\/h2>\n        <\/div>\n        <p>While guiding kayak tours in northeast Florida, I used environmental interpretation to help visitors understand estuary ecology, wildlife, tides, and local history. These two TripAdvisor reviews reflect my ability to make environmental knowledge accessible and engaging for visitors of different ages and backgrounds.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class=\"mw-review-grid\">\n        <figure class=\"mw-review\">\n          <a class=\"mw-review-desktop\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-linda-review.png?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Open full TripAdvisor guest review from March 2026\">\n            <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-linda-review.png?resize=1076%2C331&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"TripAdvisor review from Linda L praising knowledge of estuary science, geography and local history on a multigenerational kayak tour\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1076\" height=\"331\">\n          <\/a>\n          <div class=\"mw-review-mobile\" aria-label=\"Readable excerpt of TripAdvisor review from March 2026\">\n            <p class=\"mw-review-quote\">\u201cMike was thoroughly prepared to surprise and delight paddlers aged 9-74\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n            <p class=\"mw-review-context\">Linda L described a three-generation outing, highlighting the science, geography, and history shared during the tour.<\/p>\n            <a class=\"mw-review-full-link\" href=\"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-linda-review.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">View full original review \u2197<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n          <figcaption>Guest review \u00b7 March 2026<\/figcaption>\n        <\/figure>\n        <figure class=\"mw-review\">\n          <a class=\"mw-review-desktop\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-jm-review.png?ssl=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" aria-label=\"Open full TripAdvisor guest review from February 2026\">\n            <img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-jm-review.png?resize=1076%2C425&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"TripAdvisor review from J M mentioning the guide's explanations of ecology, estuary wildlife, tides, plants and local history\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1076\" height=\"425\">\n          <\/a>\n          <div class=\"mw-review-mobile\" aria-label=\"Readable excerpt of TripAdvisor review from February 2026\">\n            <p class=\"mw-review-quote\">\u201c\u2026very knowledgeable about the ecology, estuary, tides, plants, wildlife\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n            <p class=\"mw-review-context\">J M highlighted the guide\u2019s explanations of estuary ecology, wildlife, and regional history during a half-day kayak excursion.<\/p>\n            <a class=\"mw-review-full-link\" href=\"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/tripadvisor-jm-review.png\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">View full original review \u2197<\/a>\n          <\/div>\n          <figcaption>Guest review \u00b7 February 2026<\/figcaption>\n        <\/figure>\n      <\/div>\n             <p class=\"mw-review-source\">Reviews for Ripple Effect Ecotours. <a class=\"mw-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripadvisor.com\/Attraction_Review-g34599-d2283774-Reviews-Ripple_Effect_Ecotours-St_Augustine_Florida.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">See original reviews \u2197<\/a><\/p>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n  <section class=\"mw-bottom\" aria-label=\"Contact\">\n    <div class=\"mw-wrap mw-bottom-inner\">\n      <p>For opportunities or project inquiries, get in touch.<\/p>\n      <a class=\"mw-button\" href=\"\/?page_id=158\">Contact \u2197<\/a>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n<\/main>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mike Waltman Conservation communications Strategic planning, science communication, and content development. View communications work \u2197 Published environmental reporting \u2193 Selected work Communications and writing 01 \/ Hypothetical communications case study Florida&#8217;s Coral Reef &amp; BleachWatch 2027 An independent project examining communications for Florida&#8217;s coral-reef program, including a proposed campaign to recruit recreational divers for BleachWatch [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"page-no-title","meta":{"_jetpack_hide_featured_image":false,"_jetpack_featured_image_duplicate_dismissed":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-840","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=840"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":983,"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/840\/revisions\/983"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mikewaltman.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}