LinkedIn: scott-hershberger-scicomm
Email: scott.hershberger@wisc.edu

I am passionate about advancing local climate solutions through communication, outreach, and public engagement. All the best climate science in the world, the best models, the best engineering, the best understanding of ecosystems—none of this is enough. Humanity has the technical knowledge needed to successfully address the climate crisis, but we need strategic and empathetic communication to transform those ideas into reality.

I have a master’s degree in science communication from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where my thesis research was about climate change communication in Cooperative Extension (the outreach arm of land-grant universities). I am currently the Forestry Communications Specialist at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, where I strategize and implement communications to reach Wisconsin family forest landowners with limited management experience. Forests cover nearly half of the state, and 57% of Wisconsin’s forested land is privately owned by individuals or families. Encouraging them to manage their woodlands sustainably is important for the health of ecosystems, economies, and communities, especially in light of the changing climate. Prior to this role, I worked in communications and social science research on Extension projects to support Wisconsin maple syrup producers and Indigenous food sovereignty.

I have a wide-ranging background in science communication, including writing, visual communication, strategic communication, and public speaking. I got my start by writing about all areas of science at Scientific American (through the AAAS Mass Media Fellowship program), particle physics at Fermilab and Symmetry, and math and mathematicians at the American Mathematical Society. More recently, I have written video scripts for TED-Ed and SciShow, created data visualizations and infographics, conducted social media ad campaigns for 12 farmers markets across 6 states, taught an introductory undergraduate writing course, and written personal essays about my relationship with nature. I was also the newsletter editor for the Association of Science Communicators for about 2.5 years.

Recent Work

• Introduction to Forest Carbon Programs (co-organizer and co-presenter)📽️ – University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, 12/4/2025
• Forests to the Climate’s Rescue 🎧 – Civic Media radio interview (runs from 23:40 to 35:30), 11/4/2025
• Invasive plants learning hub (writing and webpage design) – University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, 9/26/2025
  • Invasive Plants
  • Managing Invasive Plants
  • The Changing Climate and Invasive Plants
• Adapting to Changes in Your Sugarbush: Stories from Wisconsin Maple Syrup Producers (filming, editing, production)📽️ – University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, 8/12/2025
• Invasive stiltgrass call to action video 📽️ – University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, 8/12/2025
• Beyond Timber: Growing and Gathering in Your Woods (writing and webpage design) – University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension, 6/10/2025