[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”About Next Gen: DO NOT EDIT” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ background_color=”#545480″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(56,6,6,0.56)” background_color_gradient_end=”#6d344b” background_color_gradient_type=”radial” background_color_gradient_start_position=”76%” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/51330036771_9076b081f3_o.jpg” background_position=”bottom_center” background_blend=”hard-light” custom_padding=”2%|0px|0%|0px||” locked=”off” collapsed=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”To be an American row: DO NOT EDIT” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”15px|0px|22px|0px||” custom_padding_tablet=”|0px||” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||” custom_width_px=”1280px” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/newnextgenlogo2018_transp.png” title_text=”newnextgenlogo2018_transp” admin_label=”Next Gen Image” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Project Description” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ text_font_size=”16px” header_font=”|700|on|on|||||” header_font_size=”25px” header_2_font=”Oswald|600||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#E09900″ header_2_font_size=”27px” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”29px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
We are finding, coaching and training public media\u2019s next generation. This #nprnextgenradio<\/a> project is created in in Tampa, Florida, where six talented reporters are participating in a week-long state-of-the-art training program.<\/span><\/p>\n In this project we are speaking to people to highlight the experiences of people whose lives are being affected by climate change.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Project Description” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ text_font=”||on||||||” text_font_size=”13px” header_font=”|700|on|on|||||” header_font_size=”25px” header_2_font=”Oswald|||on|||||” header_2_text_align=”left” header_2_text_color=”#98bedb” header_2_line_height=”1.2em” custom_margin=”29px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Photo credit: GPA Photo Archive via flickr<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=aftedHUObvo” admin_label=”YouTube Video” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text: Video Teaser” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_text_color=”#ffffff” text_font_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Houston Cypress grew up hearing stories of his people\u2019s struggle to remain in the Everglades. Now, the wetlands are threatened by climate change and other environmental challenges, so he uses art, education and spirituality to advocate for its restoration.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”6px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”HERO IMAGE OPTION 1: Background image: DELETE IF NOT NEEDED” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ background_enable_color=”off” background_image=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/Sabrina_Emily_Animated.gif” background_blend=”multiply” custom_margin=”-2px|||||” custom_padding=”12%||39.4%|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.9.10″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”6px||3px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px||6px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Illustrator credit” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Illustration by Emily Whang<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px||35px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_post_title date=”off” comments=”off” featured_image=”off” admin_label=”Post Title” _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”Oswald||||||||” title_font_size=”42px” title_letter_spacing=”2px” title_line_height=”1.2em” meta_text_color=”#04a3e3″ meta_font_size=”18px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_post_title][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||12px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 1″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When Rev. Houston Cypress was a little boy, his grandparents would wake him up just before school to take him out on airboat rides in the Everglades. They would move through the water, lulled by the early morning sounds of buzzing insects and squawking birds. Sometimes it felt like he was still dreaming as he watched the fog and the mist roll over the river of grass, and his grandparents would tell him the stories of the places they visited.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Cypress is a member of the Otter Clan of the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida and an advocate for the restoration of the Everglades. He wants to preserve his community\u2019s cultural traditions for the next generation. He learned from his elders about traditional plant practices that involve activating specific plants through song and prayer, and these customs are dependent on native plant species like the bay tree. He said these practices heal illnesses in the body, the mind and the spirit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt’s really concerning how changes in the environment are impacting our spiritual and cultural practices,\u201d he said. \u201cClimate change and sea level rise, and the increasing frequency and intensity of storms.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.5.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_audio audio=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/Sabrina-Project-Final.mp3″ title=”Listen: ‘Art can inspire action… art can bring positive change to the land.'” artist_name=”Sabrina Salovitz” album_name=”Next Generation Radio | Florida Newsroom | January 2022″ image_url=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/SabrinaAudioBox04.jpg” admin_label=”Story Audio” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”rgba(0,174,239,0.84)” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_audio][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 2″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Excess nutrients degrade the water quality in the Everglades, said Cypress. Invasive species have been taking over, outcompeting native plants and wildlife. And many plant communities are migrating inland, away from coastal areas.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/Sabrina01.jpg” title_text=”Sabrina01″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image 1″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption 1″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Houston Cypress finds a sense of identity and purpose in storytelling. He was raised on tales of his tribe\u2019s time in the Everglades and he wants to restore the landscape so that future generations can share in that history. He says that his ancestors fought to be able to live here and he wants to honor those hardships by defending the wetlands. (Photo by <\/span>Greg Clark for Good Miami<\/span><\/a> courtesy of Houston Cypress)<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 3″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n In 2018, Cypress founded a nonprofit called Love the Everglades Movement to bring attention to these issues. His work combines advocacy, arts, education and spirituality with the goal of inspiring action and bringing positive change to the land.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cypress is not just an activist but a filmmaker as well, and his productions are love letters to the Everglades. In his short film entitled \u201c…what endures..,\u201d he reads his poetry, a musical combination of the Miccosukee and English languages.<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout his productions, Cypress has come to appreciate the teamwork required to create a film. He is a storyteller and a poet but his focus is never just on the piece that he is creating, it’s also on the relationships and the interactions that make it possible.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 4″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cI like how art can be a convening force,\u201d he said. \u201cArt that is collaborative, art that embraces multiple voices…I think art can inspire action, and that art can bring positive change to the land.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Miccosukee histories and traditions are not written. Instead, they are passed down orally. This storytelling tradition is something that Cypress calls the living narrative \u2014 stories that are alive, and that have been carried for centuries, passed down through generations.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 5″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cSo much of the things that I identify with as a Miccosukee man are the stories, and the traditions, the dances, the art forms that have been gifted to me from my ancestors,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Cypress is a storyteller himself and he uses his artform to build a community, something that is a theme in much of his work. He describes himself as an optimist. When it comes to issues like climate change, he considers the work that he does to be an opportunity to build relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Adgge_pFuuo” _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 6″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we have new friendships and new coalitions, we learn. Our sense of compassion grows. Our sense of responsibility is strengthened,\u201d he said. \u201cI think it’s a hopeful thing.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_3,2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/SabrinaAudiogram.mp4″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text 7″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”18px” text_line_height=”1.8em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n This mindset expands into his other pursuits as well. Cypress identifies as a gay man and a Two Spirit person, meaning he is a person with both feminine and masculine spirit. He is an LGBTQ+ activist, and his work in this area shares common threads with his environmental advocacy and, above all else, his desire to uphold indigenous culture and tradition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI recently started a support group for Miccosukee and Seminole LGBTQ people so that they\u00a0<\/span>feel affirmed and they can go out and explore the world, but they also can feel welcome to come back home and bring all of their fullness and fabulousness around their campfires as well,\u201d Cypress said. \u201cSo it’s about finding ways to stay rooted in our cultural and traditional practices, but also making space for their authenticity as well.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n His work revolves around the Everglades, but he emphasizes the importance of building a stronger community. He welcomes outsiders to come visit and experience the land themselves and practice deep listening.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe word that we use to describe the Everglades is <\/span>kahayatle<\/span><\/i>. And that talks about the quality of the light reflecting off of the water at sunset,\u201d Cypress said. \u201cAnd so when you’re standing in the river of grass, the distinction between the sky and the earth is erased because everything scintillates, everything sparkles.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.7.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2022\/01\/Sabrina03.jpg” title_text=”Sabrina03″ align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”Image 2″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Caption 2″ _builder_version=”4.14.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Houston Cypress believes that all people have an innate sense of connection to the natural word, whether they consider themselves to be religious or spiritual or neither. He encourages anyone who is interested in visiting the Everglades to make the trip, but for those who can\u2019t he recommends visiting a local garden or a park and taking the time to just sit and listen. (Photo by Chris Foster<\/a> \/ flickr<\/a>)<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" IMPACT OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON LIFE We are finding, coaching and training public media\u2019s next generation. This #nprnextgenradio project is created in in Tampa, Florida, where six talented reporters are participating in a week-long state-of-the-art training program. In this project we are speaking to people to highlight the experiences of people whose lives are being […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":476,"featured_media":538,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"coauthors":[10],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/476"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/floridanewsroom2022.nextgenradio.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}