Scientific illiteracy, anti-intellectualism, and mistrust in science have reached crisis levels in the United States, a crisis that has become all too obvious during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In the age of “alternative facts” and anti-science rhetoric, truth has been drowned out. Effectively communicating our science to a wide variety of audiences is critical not only for our research but also for our planet. Communicating with the public is one of the most important responsibilities scientists have. Unfortunately, we are trained to publish our work behind walls of inaccessible jargon and subscription memberships. This isolates us and our work from the general public, the very people we need be communicating with, and, who in many situations, financially support our research • creating a divide between scientists and the public. As such, there has been a vocal call within the scientific community to more effectively engage with the public and close this divide. This session will explore different ways anthropologists have conducted and assessed science communication endeavors and to encourage attendees to define their own outreach goals and achieve meaningful connections with their intended audiences. The hope is that these efforts generate a more scientifically literate public and electorate such that anthropology, and science in general, is more highly valued in terms of funding and inclusion in public policy formation because the effective science communication of today will save the earth of tomorrow.