Museum Educator Imani Facilitates Climate Café on Eco-Anxiety
On September 10, 2026, Imani, a public health student and educator at the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, North Carolina, will host a Climate Café aimed at fostering open discussions about emotions related to climate change. With almost five years of experience at the museum, Imani has engaged in climate research. Her fascination with spiders began in 2022 when she interacted with Rosalinda, a Chilean rose tarantula, which led to partnerships with the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network to study the impact of air pollution on funnel weaver spiders. Additionally, she has contributed to research on flooding and environmental threats throughout the Carolinas and has led focus groups in Kingstree, South Carolina, addressing food security. Imani is also part of the Gen Z cohort of the Climate Mental Health Network, creating resources connecting climate issues and mental health.
Key facts
- Imani is an educator and public health student on the Education & Engagement team at the Museum of Life and Science.
- She will facilitate a Climate Café on September 10, 2026, at the museum.
- The Climate Café is a space for open discussion about feelings regarding climate change.
- Imani has worked at the museum for almost five years.
- She developed admiration for spiders after handling Rosalinda the Chilean rose tarantula in 2022.
- The Climate Research + Engagement team collaborates with the North Carolina Environmental Justice Network to study air pollution impacts through funnel weaver spiders.
- She has worked with the Carolinas Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA) program on topics like flooding and extreme heat.
- She conducted focus groups and interviews in Kingstree, SC, on food security and environmental issues.
- Imani joined the Climate Mental Health Network Gen Z cohort and helped develop educational resources.
- She interviewed environmental justice leader Vernice Miller-Travis for the Climate Mental Health Network's 'Intergenerational Conversations' series.
Entities
Artists
- Imani
- Vernice Miller-Travis
Institutions
- Museum of Life and Science
- North Carolina Environmental Justice Network
- Carolinas Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments (RISA)
- Climate Mental Health Network
Locations
- Durham
- North Carolina
- United States
- Ocracoke
- Cherokee
- Kingstree
- South Carolina