Ecologists are increasingly adapting how we practice ecology in response to the rapid environmental, cultural and evolutionary changes about us. The urgency of climate change and habitat loss are expressed by our students and general public alike and are demanding our involvement in ways that better engage community stakeholders in solutions such as through co-producing essential research and educational materials, and building partnerships. How do we best motivate environmentally aware young researchers and the general public, and better guide graduate students in their environmental career pathways? This session showcases what ecologists are currently doing to elevate the human dimensions in the practice of ecology. This includes considering the human-environment interactions of accelerated change, how humans use ecological systems to shape and manage ecosystems, ethical dimensions and the communication and application of ecology. In particular, presenters will reflect on needed shifts from how the discipline of ecology has developed towards a greater practice of collaboration by engaging community expertise to enhance how ecologists address current and emerging environmental challenges. We are engaging a diverse group of environmental practitioners to discuss best practices in how they communicate and collaborate with diverse populations of students and community stakeholders to enhance environmental workforce training at their institutions, and integrate local ecological knowledge in environmental problem-solving research. Our environmental practitioners reach out to the community leaders in developing and fostering interest in environmental sustainability, appropriate land management practices and effective training of future ecologists. The communities involved include the indigenous communities and local leaders in Utah and Arctic Canada, the minority serving institutions in North Carolina, the social justice community leaders networking from Ohio to internationally, and the Latino/Latinx communities of Puerto Rico and New Mexico. Gathering community support for enhancing ecology education from middle school to high school, to undergraduate and graduate students, with expertise in climate change, ecology communication, and the environmental consulting industry, results in a broad and rich discussion of how the human dimension needs to be part of the innovation and approach to putting ecological theory into practice. Speakers will expand on the many community-engaged ways ecologists can follow to develop an effective environmental management response to global climate change and environmental justice concerns. Overall, this session features best practices for changing how ecologists elevate the human dimension from the perspectives of educators, partnership-builders and researchers as together we form trans-disciplinary networks to find local and global solutions.