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/p>\nAir quality impacts the health of humans a nd the environment. \;
\nIn this interactive session\, you will meet the Air Program Team\, learn how air quality impacts your health\, and play Air Quality Trivia for an opportunity to win prize s! \;
\n\nThe Air Program Team: \;
\nAs hley Robins\, Environmental Planning and Outreach Specialist\, Br oward County \;
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Born and raised in Broward\, I had plenty of opportunities to expl ore the natural world around me. Growing up in this green county inspired& nbsp\;me to pursue my bachelor&rsquo\;s in marine science &\; biology f ollowed by my master&rsquo\;s in marine conservation\, both at the Univers ity of Miami. I then went on to complete seasonal positions and internship s from Daytona to Key Largo before becoming a Program Coordinator at a sma ll zoo in Pennsylvania. The cold weather brought me back to Florida and I began a new adventure as Education Specialist for Mote Aquarium. Both role s allowed me to teach about the interconnectedness of nature through inter active science-based programming. Although my background is predominantly marine\, I am excited to be part of the Broward County air outreach team a s an Environmental Planning and Outreach Specialist to continue educating the public on environmental concepts\, issues\, and solutions!
\n\nLevent Akinci\, Environmental Planning and Outreach Specialist\, Broward County
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Levent Akinci is an Environmental Planning and Outreach Sp ecialist with Broward County. He attained his bachelor's degree in geology from the University of Miami and continued his education at The Ohio Stat e University with a Master of Science degree\, specializing in submarine l andslides and salt tectonics. He has significant experience with informal education from his previous career as an educational eco-tourism guide in Hawaii and was often commended on his ability to inspire children to make a positive impact on the environment. He believes connecting people to the environments around them is the best way to get them to understand enviro nmental issues\, but also uses his positive attitude and compassion to enc ourage others to care about those issues. The unique wildlife and natural beauty of South Florida&rsquo\;s landscape continue to push Levent to keep inspiring others to protect and preserve the environment alongside him.\n
\nMonica Ospina\, Environmental Planning an d Outreach Coordinator\, Broward County
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Nature and making connections with people have always inspired Monica\; and science was her favorite subject in school. S he holds two bachelor&rsquo\;s degrees: biology and environmental sciences . Her passion for environmental protection led her to volunteer as an Envi ronmental Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator AmeriCorps member in Durham\, North Carolina. After her adventure in North Carolina Monica moved back t o South Florida. She began her career as a Natural Resource Specialist for Broward County&rsquo\;s Air Program in 2018\; and has been dubbed the Air Quality Cheerleader. As of 2019\, Monica leads the Outreach team as an En vironmental Planning and Outreach Coordinator.
\n\nKe
nneth Dobies\, Environmental Marketing and Outreach Specialist\,
LEED Green Associate
Broward County Natural Resources Division\, Air
Quality Program
Born and raised in Northeast Ohio I attended a vocational high school for commercial art which developed my drawing and design abilities. I cont inued my education at the University of Akron and attained a Bachelor of F ine Arts degree in graphic design. With more than forty years of experienc e in many different facets within the graphic design field including produ ction assistant\, graphic designer\, art director\, creative director\, fr eelance designer\, and account manager each promotion has made me a well-r ounded designer. My career transitioned into new media as a web developer\ , designer\, and content manager. My background includes web site best pra ctices\, accessibility\, planning\, researching and authoring content.
\nI have had two career paths within Broward County. My first was in th e Office of Public Communications as a senior digital media designer\, I h eld that position for nearly nine years\, I took a brief journey to New Me xico\, and came back to Broward County on my second career path as a marke ting development associate for the Go Solar Program in which I endorsed th e solar permitting system. I was promoted to a natural resource specialist /environmental marketing and outreach specialist\, with a combined 9 years of experience in both job classifications. My duties as a natural resourc e specialist/environmental marketing and outreach specialist include desig ning and producing various marketing materials\; developing and producing promotional videos and PowerPoint presentations\; establishing marketing c ommunications initiatives such as direct marketing\, promotional outreach events\, workshops\, public relations\, and advertising to promote my curr ent division.
\nI also have attained LEED Green Associate Certificat ion\, National Center for Construction Education and Research Certificatio n\, and National Wildlife Federation Habitat Steward Certification. All ce rtifications help me understand green building principles and sustainabili ty which I can affectively promote green building practices and energy pol icy. I am also a multiple NACo and Nacio award winner in design.
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