AFS Science Communication Section

Photo: wildfire in a wooded area Text: AFS Webinar - Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events, supported by the AFS Climate Committee and the AFS science Communication Section. Presentations by Corinne Burns (Leading Solutions LLC in support of NOAA Fisheries), Jeff Jolley (Michigan Dept of Natural Resources), Sara Thompson (San Antonio River Authority), and Kerry Flaherty-Walia (Tampa Bay Estuary Program).

The AFS Climate Committee and the Science Communication Section will be hosting an encore presentation of our lightning talks and a summary of our session from this summer’s annual meeting!

The webinar will be held on Wed , Nov 19 at 3pm ET. Registration required - fisheries.org/2025/10/webi...

#muskratsformorale

Group picture of session participants from the Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events symposium at AFS155 in San Antonio.

Session participants around a small table review prompts to engage in an improvisation exercise to improve effective messaging, active listening, and empathy skills.

Thank you to everyone who made our session at #AFS155 a huge success - our speakers, our organizers, and our active and energetic audience!

You can find more photos from our session on our Instagram page! Follow us @afs_scicomm

See you next year in Columbus?!

a white cat with a sad look on its face is being held by a person . ALT: a white cat with a sad look on its face is being held by a person .

Last day of #AFS155 mood:

(Too much fun! I regret nothing!)

Happening TODAY after the lunch break. Starting at 1:30pm in Rivercenter Conf Rm 9.

#AFS155

Say cheese! Free, professional headshots will be available this week at Booth 107 in Rivercenter Salon E. A great time to take advantage of this service is during the Poster and Tradeshow Networking event tonight.

Say Cheese!

Be sure to take advantage of the free professional headshots at Booth 107 in the Rivercenter Salon E.

Stop by the booth during tonight’s Poster and Tradeshow Networking Event! #AFS155

Text: Tomorrows catch: securing our future fisheries. Image: A shadow of an angler against a sunset background.

Content With Purpose (CWP) and @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social debuting “Tomorrow’s Catch: Securing our Future Fisheries” at #AFS155.

Through storytelling, this movie series connects data with emotion to educate audiences about issues for our freshwater and marine ecosystems across the US and Canada.

Flyer advertising lightning talks for the session “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events”. Talks will be held from 1:35-1:50 on Tuesday August 12 in Rivercenter Conf Rm 9. Speaker Jeff Jolley from Michigan Department of Natural Resources will present “When the Dam Breaks: The Cost of Poor Communication on Controversial Issues” Abstract: communicating in conflict with the public requires clarity, consistency, and empathy - especially when emotions run high and trust is fragile. Poor communication in these situations can fuel misinformation, deepen mistrust, ans erode support for necessary actions, making recovery or resolution significantly more difficult.

Meet Jeff! Jeff is slated to present a 5-minute Lightning Talk during our session TOMORROW !! at @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social #AFS155 in San Antonio.

Jeff will present on the consequences of poor science communication with the public during a dam removal project.

BUTTONS BUTTONS COME GET YOUR BUTTONS!

Airplane on tarmac

En route to @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social #AFS155 🐟✈️

Flyer advertising lightning talks for the session “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events”. Talks will be held from 1:35-1:50 on Tuesday August 12 in Rivercenter Conf Rm 9. Speaker Sara Thompson from the San Antonio River Authority will present “Flooding in Our Region: Risks, Responses, and Resilience” Abstract: This talk covers the key factors that contribute to flooding, the types and severity of flood events, and how communities can prepare and respond. We’ll highlight local tools like BEXARflood.org and the HALT system, discuss public safety efforts, and explore how proactive planning and post-event reviews help build resilience and preparation.

Meet Sara! She is one of three fabulous speakers lined up to present a 5-minute Lightning Talk during our session next Tuesday at @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social #AFS155 in San Antonio.

Sara will talk about local efforts being made in and around central TX to prepare and respond to flooding events.

Flyer advertising lightning talks for the session “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events”. Talks will be held from 1:35-1:50 on Tuesday August 12 in Rivercenter Conf Rm 9. Speaker Kerry Flaherty-Walia from Tampa Bay Estuary Program will present “Fishing After Hurricanes: is it safe to get back on the water?” Abstract: in the span of 2 weeks in 2024, Hurricanes Helene and Milton packed a one-two punch over the Tampa Bay Area leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. Extreme storm surge and rainfall caused widespread flooding and concerns about debris and water conditions. By staying informed and engaged with regional partners, accurate and timely information was communicated to address concerns and alleviate fears.

Meet Kerry! She is one of three wonderful speakers lined up to present a 5-minute Lightning Talks during our session next Tuesday at #AFS155 in San Antonio.

Kerry will present her experiences communicating about water quality in the aftermath of two major hurricanes that hit Tampa Bay.

Tardibabe makes microscopy cool for everyone 🙌

A schedule for the innovative session titled “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events”. 1:30-1:35 Introduction to the session. 1:35-1:50 Lightning talks by Jeff Jolley, Kerry Flaherty-Walia, and Sara Thompson. 1:50-2:05 Q and A with presenters. 2:05-2:35 Skill building exercise - put yourself in the shoes of a scientist who is tasked with communicating after a natural disaster. 2:35-3:00 Open Discussion. Session will be held on Tuesday August 12 from 1:30-3:00pm in the Rivercenter Conference Room 9

What can you expect from our session next week at the @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting? Check out our session schedule below!

This session is open to EVERYONE! Come and go as you need/please. Stop in, make a friend, maybe learn something! #AFS155

Calendar page of August 2025. “X”es cross out the days of the month that have already passed. AFS Annual Meeting logos are present on the dates of August 10 through 14.

We are less than one week away from the 2025 @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting in San Antonio!

Stay tuned to our socials for information on the AFS Climate x AFS SciComm session on “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events” taking place on Tuesday 8/12 at 1:30.

Happening tonight! T minus 2 hours!

A reminder email with meeting link information was sent to all section members this afternoon.

Planning your work week on this beautiful Sunday?

Dont forget to pencil in our student feedback session this Thursday, 7/31 at 7pm CT. Students attending the @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting can present their oral or poster presentations, and attendees can provide feedback.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Your AFS SciComm Section will be hosting another student feedback session on Thursday, July 31 at 7:00pm CT. We encourage student members to attend and present their presentation or poster for the upcoming @americanfisheries Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX! Students will receive feedback from other AFS SciComm Section members on how to improve their presentations ahead of their big days in the Lonestar State. Members can find a link to access the 7/31 feedback session in their email.

We will be hosting another student feedback session on Thursday, July 31 at 7pm CT. Students can receive feedback on how to improve their #fishscicomm ahead of their big days at the @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting in the Lonestar State.

Check out these open graduate positions ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Screenshot of the preliminary American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting schedule for Tuesday, August 12. The innovative session “Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events” will be held on August 12 from 1:30-3:00pm Central time in Rivercenter Conference Room 9.

Heading to the @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting in San Antonio?

Got plans on Tuesday, 8/12?

No? Not yet?

Wanna hang out?

You do?

Come hang out with us in our session on 8/12 from 1:30-3 😎 Learn some new #scicomm skills. Listen to some cool lightning talks. Make some new friends!

Some members of the AFS Science Communication Section are on Capitol Hill in Washington DC today for the first ever AFS Fly-In! We are meeting with members of Congress to tell them who we are as a society and discuss topics important to AFS members.

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT!

Join us tonight at 7:30pm ET for another drop-in feedback session. We will have 3 Early Life History Section students presenting their work for the upcoming Larval Fish Conference in Quebec City.

Meeting link was sent to all section members via email.

⏰ Tomorrow is the last day to register for the @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting at the discounted Early Bird Registration rate! ⏰

Thank you 🥰 We are always looking for more Chapters/Sections to work with before their annual meetings! Let us know if you have any suggestions.

Early Life History Section Members - Do you want feedback on your presentation for the upcoming Larval Fish Conference? The AFS science Communication Section will be hosting a drop-in session for student presentation feedback. All Early Life History and Science Comminication Section members are welcome to attend and provide feedback. The virtual meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 11 at 7:30pm Eastern Time. Meeting link will be distributed via email to members of both sections.

Anotha one 😎

The AFS #SciComm Section will be hosting another drop-in session on 6/11 for student presentation feedback. This session will be for members of the Early Life History section to prepare for this year’s Larval Fish Conference in Quebec City.

Check email for meeting link.

Heading to San Antonio this August? ☀️ 🐟 🤠

Be sure to register now for this year’s @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting to enjoy the discounted Early Bird registration rate.

Early Bird registration ends in ONE WEEK on Wednesday, June 4.

Happening this afternoon at 2pm ET!
👇👇👇

AFS symposium - science communication through emotionally charged extreme events. Supported by AFS climate committee and AFS science communication section. Presenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science during extreme events. Training will be provided to improve communication skills. Background image is of a wildfire in a forest.

⏰ Tomorrow is the last day to submit an abstract for this year’s @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting in San Antonio!

Do you have experience communicating science during extreme events? We want to hear your story!

#SciComm training will be available for those who attend the session :)

Science Communication Through Emotionally Charged Extreme Events supported by AFS Climate Committee and the AFS Science Communicatkon Section. Presenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science during extreme events. Training will be provided to improve communication skills.

Have you submitted an abstract for this year’s @amfisheriessoc.bsky.social Annual Meeting in San Antonio?

Do you have experience communicating science during extreme events? We want to hear your story!

Abstracts accepted until 4/22.

Photo of dry, drought-effected land with overlayed words: AFS Symposium - Science through emotionally charged extreme events. Supported by the AFS Climate Committee and the AFS Science Communication section. Presenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science through extreme events. Training will be provided to improve communication skills.

Photo of wildfires in forest with overlayed words: AFS Symposium - Science through emotionally charged extreme events. Supported by the AFS Climate Committee and the AFS Science Communication section. Presenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science through extreme events. Training will be provided to improve communication skills.

Photo of satellite image of a hurricane with overlayed words: AFS Symposium - Science through emotionally charged extreme events. Supported by the AFS Climate Committee and the AFS Science Communication section. Presenting successes, challenges, and lessons learned when communicating science through extreme events. Training will be provided to improve communication skills.

We are looking for presenters to speak during our co-sponsored session at this year’s Annual Meeting!

If you have experience communicating science during extreme events, we want to hear your story!

Our session will also include #scicomm training for all attendees!

Abstracts are due April 15!