2015

Youth Ocean Conservation

Summit
Event Program
November 14 Mote Marine Laboratory Sarasota, FL

Celebrating five years of empowering the

next generation of ocean conservationists!

#YOCS15
YOCS.org

2015
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit schedule
Saturday, November 14th Mote Marine Laboratory
9:00-9:45

Registration/Check-in WAVE Center

10:00-10:10 Welcome to the Summit and Mote Marine Laboratory WAVE Center
Sean Russell, Director, Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
Aly Busse, Assistant Vice President of Education, Mote Marine Laboratory
10:10-10:40 Keynote Presentation
Wendy Benchley, Ocean Conservationist and Marine Policy Advocate
10:40-11:05 Youth Ocean Conservation Team member presentations
11:10-12:10 Morning Workshop Sessions:
Action Planning Session
Careers in Ocean Conservation
12:10-1:10

Lunch

Afternoon Workshop Sessions

1:10-1:55
Workshop Session 1
- Speak Up, Speak Out, Make a Difference!
- How to Lead a Water Monitoring Event Citizen Science In Action
- Spreading the Word about Ocean Conservation Through Film
- The Selfless Shellfish and You. Helping to save the WorldOne Oyster at a
Time!
- Youth Activism and Art
- Leadership Gone Wild: How to Take Risks and Embrace Change

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Afternoon Workshop Sessions Continued
2:00-2:45
Workshop Session 2 (Session 1 workshops repeat in Session 2)
2:50-3:35
Workshop Session 3
- Building Connections and Raising Funds
- Addressing Ocean Acidification: Saving our Country and our Planet
- Public Science Events
- Using Imagery and Media to Promote Ocean Conservation
- Stow It-Dont Throw It: A Solution to Pollution
- Rays Awareness: Become a ray biologist for a day and help promote
conservation!
3:40-4:25

Workshop Session 4 (Session 3 workshops repeat in Session 4)

4:30-4:40

Call to Action WAVE Center

4:40-5:00

Closing Remarks/Youth Ocean Conservation Team/Evaluations

5:30pm

Teen Science Caf (Optional RSVP on Summit registration form)

Thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory for hosting the 2015 Youth

OceanRegister
Conservationonline
Summit, and
our sponsors for their financial
at
www.yocs.org!
support of this event!
A special thanks to our speakers, workshop presenters, and event
volunteers for their contributions to this years summit!
And thanks to YOU, for joining us as we work together to protect our
planets marine ecosystems!

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

10:10-10:40 Keynote Presentation:
Wendy Benchley, Ocean Conservationist and Marine
Policy Advocate
Wendy Benchley is a renowned global voice for
protecting sharks and safeguarding our seas. As a
scuba diver for more than forty years, she has
witnessed dramatic changes to our oceans wildlife
and its habitats. This has motivated her vigorous
efforts to help shape smarter, stronger
environmental and marine policies with government
officials, NGOs and other civic leaders.
Wendy co-founded the prestigious Peter Benchley
Ocean Awards, an annual award honoring her
late husbands legacy, in order to shine a light on
the exceptional conservation work being done by
marine scientists, researchers, explorers, and policy
makers both in the United States and internationally.
Now in its seventh year, the Benchleys have
awarded nearly fifty honorees for excellence and
achievement. Wendy is the 2014 recipient of the
International SeaKeepers Award, which is given
annually to an individual or an organization that has
demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to ocean conservation.
Based in Washington, D.C., Wendy is actively engaged in the marine policy community
and supports many of the worlds leading ocean & environmental philanthropies. She
was President of the Board of Shark Savers and was instrumental in helping to merge
the organization into WildAid, a widely respected global non-profit solely focused on
reducing demand for illegal wildlife products, including ivory, rhino horn and shark fin,
where she is currently a member of the Board of Directors.
She is also an Advisory Board member of Ocean Champions, a non-profit political
organization that supports pro-ocean Congressional candidates and lobbies members
of Congress on behalf of the oceans.
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Wendy worked on many environmental issues as a
trustee of Environmental Defense Fund. She is currently a Trustee on the EDFs
Advisory Board. Wendy started her environmental and political career in the '70's in her
home state of New Jersey as a co-founder and Trustee of the New Jersey
Environmental Federation. She was elected to the Mercer County Board of Chosen

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About Wendy Benchley Continued
Freeholders and was elected as a Princeton Borough Councilwoman for three terms.
Among many legislative accomplishments, she worked on smart growth and
sustainability issues, playing a leadership role in bringing to fruition a prize-winning
downtown development and expanding affordable housing.
Wendy was married to Peter Benchley, the author of Jaws and a well-known voice for
ocean conservation through his numerous books, articles and documentaries about the
wonders of ocean life and its many threats.

10:40-11:05 Youth Ocean Conservation Team

Presentations
Through this special opening presentation, hear from some of our 2014 Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit participants as they share the exciting ocean conservation work
theyve been involved in over the past year, and talk about how they started the ocean
conservation projects theyre working on!
About the presenters:
Stash It & Trash It
Stash It & Trash Its goal is to
reduce the amount of land-based
pollution in our local coastal
environments through public
awareness and outreach. Monica
Henry and Shelby Graziani founded
Stash It & Trash It through a mini
grant funded by the Youth Ocean
Conservation team. Over the past
year, Stash It & Trash It has hosted
numerous beach cleanups at
various locations in the Stuart,
Jensen Beach, and Ft. Pierce area.
In addition to conducting their own
cleanups, Stash It & Trash It has
also participated in other events hosted by other organizations such as the Treasure
Coast Waterway Cleanup and Florida Oceanographic Societys Oyster
Baggings/Deployments. They also encourage environmental stewardship through their
social media sites where they keep the public informed about marine and coastal
happenings such as sea turtle nesting season. In the upcoming year, Stash It & Trash
It plans to join forces with Keep Martin Beautifuls Adopt-a-Beach program where they
will have the opportunity to host beach cleanups as an adoptee of Stuart Beach.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the presenters continued:
National Aquarium Aquarium on Wheels Students
The National Aquariums Aquarium on Wheels is
an award-winning after-school and summer
program for Baltimore-area high school students.
The program combines scientific research,
conservation activities, job training, and theater
arts to promote environmental stewardship.
Students engaged in this program take part in a
variety of conservation and education programs
including habitat restoration projects, cleanups,
and outreach efforts designed to teach younger
students about the conservation of marine
environments. The students have also created and launched Marylands Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit program, now held annually in Baltimore at the Aquarium.
Elinor Rienzo
Elinor Rienzo, 9, has lived in Fort Myers, Florida her entire
life. She spends her summers on Sanibel & Captiva Islands
enjoying and learning about the ocean. Elinor is in her 5th
year of Girl Scouts. She understands that it is important to
preserve & protect her community & environment. At the 2014
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit she came up with the
idea for the Trash Stash. Elinor's Trash Stash program aims
to create reusable, personal-sized trash bags that will allow
people to store their trash so it doesnt accidentally enter the
environment. These bags clip onto bikes, beach bags, back packs and lots of other
places. Her efforts work to prevent the issue of marine debris at its source. In 2015 she
has been awarded 2 grants to make her Trash Stash project a reality. One from the
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit and one from Disney Friends for Change. Elinor,
friends, school & family have distributed more than 300 Trash Stashes.
Its Worth It Beach Cleanups!
After participating in the 2014 Youth Ocean
Conservation Summit at Mote Marine
Laboratory in Sarasota, FL, Kaitlyn, Brooklyn,
and Maddie Diestler were inspired to team up
with their family and fellow students to adopt
Lake Worth Beach, FL in an effort to help
protect this coastal ecosystem from the
threat of marine debris. Their project, titled
Its Worth It Beach Cleanups has engaged
community members in regular coastal
cleanups at Lake Worth Beach and has allowed them to speak up about the issue of
marine debris prevention in their school and community!

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the presenters continued:
Christian, Derek, and Landon Petrisko
Christian Petrisko is a sophomore at Westminster
Academy in Ft. Lauderdale. Christian is the President
of the non-profit organization Wild Over Wildlife, which
he founded in 2009. With an objective to protect
endangered species, their habitats, and provide a home
for displaced exotic animals, Wild Over Wildlife has
raised more than $15,000 for animal-related
causes. Christian and his board have organized several
expeditions in order to raise awareness about the most highly threatened species on
our planet. He has a special interest in marine environments as an angler and SCUBA
diver. He works to improve our ocean by transplanting corals from offshore nurseries to
reefs in South Florida. Christian is an avid aquarist, an accomplished baseball player,
and he loves photography and videography, having made several short documentaries
to showcase the work resulting from his expeditions.
Derek Petrisko is a 7th grader at Westminster Academy.
He is the Vice President of the 501 c3 conservation
organization, Wild Over Wildlife. As part of the
organization, Derek has been instrumental in raising
awareness for sharks at meetings and through his
photography. He is a Junior certified SCUBA diver and
also participates in coral transplant dives. Derek is
active in shark taggings and dives with sharks to dispel
the myths associated with them. He enjoys filmmaking and photography both above and
below the water's surface. His photography work for the 2016 calendar has taken him
and his organization's members all the way from Big Pine Key to Crystal River as they
have focused on native Florida species. He promotes ecotourism events to engage the
public with our coastal habitats and the animals that depend on them. Derek is also an
aquarium enthusiast, angler, and outstanding baseball player.
Landon Petrisko is a fifth grader at Christ Church School
in Ft. Lauderdale, where he is best known for his athletic
achievements. However, he is also known as a bright,
young conservationist who continually recruits others
with a passion for wildlife to join his causes. As the
Treasurer of Wild Over Wildlife, he has been active in all
of its educational seminars for children both at the
wildlife center and as a part of the outreach program
that visits area camps each summer. Landon loves the
ocean, is a newly certified Junior SCUBA diver, and has devoted much of his young life
to sea turtle conservation. Because he learned at an early age that mangroves are
crucial to the success of a number of fish, invertebrates, and birds, he has been working
diligently to restore mangrove forests along the southeast coast of Florida.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the presenters continued:
Mira Rajani and Nicole Stevens
Mira Rajani is a junior at Berkeley Preparatory School.
She is passionate about science, writing, and the arts.
Since joining the Berkeley environmental club, she has
strived to make the school a more green campus by
assisting in the promotion of a new recycling effort and
helping to design and build a vertical garden for the
school. She serves as both a science tutor and an intern
for the school Writing Center. She is the assistant editor
of the schools literary magazine, the Phoenix, has
participated in numerous musical theater productions,
loves to sing, and plays the piano.
Nicole Stevens is a senior at Berkeley Preparatory School.
She has always been interested in nature and biology and
loves learning about the ocean. She loves nature photography,
playing with her dog, and volunteering at the Florida Aquarium.
Being president of Environmental Club and an intern at Mote
Marine have allowed her to cultivate her passion for the natural
world and to help her school and community become greener.
By using the money from YOCS, she has been able to help
lead a vertical garden project for Environmental Club and
encourage fellow students to take better care of the planet. In
addition to her work with marine biology, Nicole is a member of
the swim team and a leader of Bible Fellowship club.
Plastic Free Mermaids
The Plastic Free Mermaids is a
student group created by Keyla
Correia at South Broward High
School and is partnered with the
Girls Get It Club. Their mission is
to bring community and global
awareness about the plastic in
our environment. The
organization works locally and
globally to teach people how to
live a plastic free lifestyle,
highlighting the impacts of plastic
pollution on marine wildlife. They
work to teach their communities
alternatives to single use plastics and host educational/water way cleanups for people in
their communities to participate in.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

11:10-12:10 Morning Workshops
Action Planning Session (recommended for first time
participants)
Is there an ocean conservation
issue you wish to address in your
community? Join students from
across the country, and work with
ocean scientists and
conservationists, to develop a
project and action plan to help
address relevant marine conservation issues. This
engaging session will walk you through the
process of planning your own ocean conservation
project and help you gain the knowledge and skills
you need to make your project successful!
Afternoon workshops at the summit will help you
further develop the skills you need to successfully implement your conservation project
in your home town and help protect our planets marine ecosystems!

Careers in Ocean Conservation (recommended for returning

participants)
Already working on an ocean conservation project and want to learn how to turn your
ocean conservation work into a career? Then this workshop is for you! Join a panel of
researchers, educators and ocean conservationists to learn about their career paths,
educational background, and current day to day conservation work! Youll also have the
chance to have your questions answered by this team of conservationists, and theyll
share with you ways you can take action now to help with the ocean conservation work
they do on a daily basis!

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the Careers in Ocean Conservation
panelists:
Jim Wharton
Director of Education and Conservation, the Seattle
Aquarium
Jim Wharton (about.me/jimwharton, @jimwharton) is
the Director of Conservation and Education at the
Seattle Aquarium, working to inspire conservation of
our marine environment by revealing the connections
between the ocean and our everyday lives. His career
includes work at the Oregon Coast Aquarium,
Smithsonian Marine Station, and Mote Marine
Laboratory. He originated the Mote Science Caf and
organized Motes Special Lecture Series. Jim has
presented on, participated in, and planned Lightning
Talks and other public science events at the Seattle
Aquarium and during professional conferences like the
Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the
National Marine Educators Association (NMEA).

Laura Diderick
Public Programs Specialist, the Smithsonian
Marine Station
Laura Diederick fell in love with the ocean more
than a decade before she ever laid eyes on it.
Growing up not far from the shore of Lake Erie,
she knew she wanted to pursue a career in
marine science and, when she was 10 years old,
made a pact with a friend to move to Florida after
high school to follow that dream. Although a few
years later than planned (and without her friend in
tow), Laura joined the staff of the Smithsonian
Marine Station in Fort Pierce in early 2005. As the
Public Programs Specialist at SMS, Laura works
with ocean scientists around the state, facilitating
opportunities to share current research with
children and adults. She regularly incorporates her
passion for reading, writing, theater, and graphic
design into her work as a science communicator,
and encourages others to find creative ways to be
advocates for the ocean.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the panelists continued:
Dr. Christine Shepherd
Director of Science, The Nature Conservancys Gulf of Mexico Program
Christine Shepard, Ph.D., is Director of
Science for The Nature Conservancys
Gulf of Mexico Program. Christines
primary research focuses on assessing
coastal hazards risk, quantifying the role
coastal habitats play in reducing risk,
and identifying where ecosystem-based
approaches such as conservation or
restoration are likely to be effective for
risk reduction. In addition, Christine
works to develop innovative spatial
analyses and community engagement
tools to help decision makers address
coastal risks from climate change and coastal hazards like storms and sea-level rise.
She co-authored the 2012 World Risk Report in partnership with United Nations
University and was a member of the Department of Interiors Strategic Science Working
Group "Operational Group Sandy" deployed to assist the Hurricane Sandy Rebuilding
Task Force. Christine completed her Ph.D. in Ocean Science at the University of
California-Santa Cruz in 2010 and her B.S. in Zoology and Psychology at the University
of Florida in 2002.
Michelle Matuszewski
Manager Animals, Science and Environment/
Talent Management
Walt Disney World
Michelle Matuszewski is the Talent Manager for the
Animals, Science and Environment Line of Business
at Walt Disney World. Her area of responsibility
includes Leadership Development Strategic
Planning, Performance Management, Professional
Internship Programs and Leadership Succession
Planning for Disneys Animal Kingdom, Disneys
Animal Kingdom Lodge, The Seas, Tri-Circle DRanch, Alani Resort Animal Operations, and
Castaway Cay Sting Ray encounter. She is
responsible for the largest professional internship
program on Walt Disney World property. Currently
she hires 86 college students into 19 different
professional internships within the Animals, Science
and Environment Team. She currently is a part of the

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About Michelle Matuszewski continued:
Walt Disney World Sea Turtle Conservation Team in Vero Beach and the Purple Martin
Conservation Program on Walt Disney World Property. Michelle graduated from
California Polytechnic University, Pomona with a degree in Animal Science, and
Chemistry. She completed her masters degree in Conservation Biology with an
emphasis on Marine Ecosystems from University of California Santa Barbara. Before
working with the Animals, Science and Environment team, she worked in various
different leadership roles within the Walt Disney World Company. She started her
Disney career in park operations twenty five years ago. She has spent time in project
development, cast training and logistics, new attraction development, and Disney
University youth curriculum development. Currently she is a member of the Association
of Zoos and Aquariums ( AZA), MANRRS, and actively serves on the Diversity
Committee for the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Michelle has presented across
North America on subjects from diversity recruiting strategies, leadership development,
and conservation strategies.

The future that we build, the future that humanity

will inhabit, is dependent on the actions you take
every day and not only what you do, but the
influence you have on the world around you.
- Philippe Cousteau
2011 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Video Message

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

12:10-1:10 Lunch
While enjoying your lunch, continue to finalize the details of your
ocean conservation project action plans, and take time to network
with other youth attending the summit as well as the representatives
from local environmental organizations!

Afternoon Workshops:
Use the below schedule to help select your afternoon workshop sessions. These
workshops are designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and resources you
need to help launch your newly planned ocean conservation projects and/or continue to
expand your existing conservation efforts! Complete workshop descriptions and
presenter bios can be found on the following pages.
Afternoon Workshop Sessions
1:10-1:55
Workshop Session 1
- Speak Up, Speak Out, Make a Difference!
- How to Lead a Water Monitoring Event Citizen Science In Action
- Spreading the Word about Ocean Conservation Through Film
- The Selfless Shellfish and You. Helping to save the WorldOne Oyster at a
Time!
- Youth Activism and Art
- Leadership Gone Wild: How to Take Risks and Embrace Change
2:00-2:45

Workshop Session 2 (Session 1 workshops repeat in Session 2)

2:50-3:35
Workshop Session 3
- Building Connections and Raising Funds
- Addressing Ocean Acidification: Saving our Country and our Planet
- Public Science Events
- Using Imagery and Media to Promote Ocean Conservation
- Stow It-Dont Throw It: A Solution to Pollution
- Rays Awareness: Become a ray biologist for a day and help promote
conservation!
3:40-4:25

Workshop Session 4 (Session 3 workshops repeat in Session 4)

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Afternoon Workshops:
Speak Up, Speak Out, Make a Difference!
(Offered sessions 1 and 2)
Learn the skills it takes to propose your project and express your passion for
conservation not only locally but globally. This interactive workshop is dedicated to
breaking you out of your shell and understanding the power of presentation. We will
touch on the power of body language and being able to read your audience in order to
achieve your goals"
About the Presenter:
Born and raised in Florida, Ben Duvals love for the
outdoors has lead him to be a novice marine
science geek and Florida history enthusiast. His
education has led him all over the United States
and across the pond. With a degree in Theatrical
Directing from Texas State University, he has
studied in Ithaca NY, London, and all over Central
Texas. Ben brings a proficiency in Public Speaking
and performance as well as talent and event
management and directing. In the Theme Park
Entertainment industry he has worked with a wide
range of skillsets and backgrounds. Ben has
brought out the best in individuals from
Professional Performers to Educators and even
Elementary school students and allowed them to
share their passions and knowledge with their
audiences. Ben is enthusiastic about not only the
environment but sustainability and conservation. An
avid fisherman, he is always reminded that a bad
day on the water is always better than a good day
in the office.

We believe that as kids were the next voters, were

the next decision makers, and the next generation
thats going to be making a difference on our planet.
- Bindi Irwin,
2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit video
message

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

How to Lead a Water Monitoring Event Citizen Science
In Action
(Offered sessions 1 and 2)
Because water covers about 70 percent of the Earths surface, it may appear that we
have an abundant supply. It is important to realize, however, that 97 percent of the
supply is salt water, and two percent is fresh water frozen in glaciers. That leaves only
one percent as a readily useable resource to support drinking, cooking, bathing,
agriculture, industry, recreation, and other needs. The limited supply of fresh water, and
our dependency on it, means that we must use this resource wisely. Every human being
plays an important role in caring for water. Throughout each of the worlds watersheds,
people are the consumers of and the advocates for water resources. It is our
responsibility to respectfully manage them.
Government efforts alone cannot provide the range and variety of information needed to
assess water quality in each watershed. Therefore, it is essential that citizens become
involved in protecting the health of their local waterbodies. Citizens who are willing to
build upon governmental efforts play an important role in helping to protect local
watersheds.
Join EarthEcho as we provide training and technical assistance for youth to join citizen
scientists across the world as part of the World Water Monitoring Challenge
(WWMC). EarthEchos WWMC is an international education and outreach program that
builds public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the
world by engaging citizens to conduct basic monitoring of their local waterways.
Participants who complete the workshop will leave with a ready-to-use water quality test
kit and be prepared to:
- test and report on a body of water in their own community;
- access and utilize free water-focused environmental education content and rich
digital media provided for classrooms
- formulate an effective message to reach out into their community and host a
water monitoring event
- join a social movement to protect water resources;
- take action around water issues across the world.
About the Presenter:
With twelve years of experience in science education, marine science, citizen science
programs, STEM service learning, and environmental outreach for youth, Stacey
Rafalowski has invested a career in improving the way learning happens for young
environmentalists. She is a scientist, an educator, an interpreter, and an environmental
advocate dedicated to engaging and supporting youth to raise their voices about the
most pressing challenges facing our world. As the Education Director for EarthEcho
International, she supports a variety of programs that put youth at the center of
environmental action. Prior to working with Philippe Cousteau and the team at
EarthEcho, she worked across the U.S. with teachers and students to integrate

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About Stacey Rafalowski continued:
environmental service learning programs into classroom curriculum that empowered
youth to create positive change in their communities.
Stacey has enjoyed a myriad of
opportunities ranging from field studies on
sea cucumbers in Panama to working
alongside teachers from Title 1 schools
to, most recently, tackling field production
of the short form educational videos
produced as part of the EarthEcho
Expeditions program. Under her
leadership EarthEchos education
programs have expanded to include the
World Water Monitoring Challenge, Water
Planet Challenge, and the EarthEcho
Expeditions programs as well as
integrated educator and youth councils
that are active in developing collaborative
programs with EarthEcho International.
She has served in a variety of volunteer
roles including the S.C. State Service Plan Steering Committee, Carolina Green Fair
Event Board, and the Lowcountry Science Symposium Board. Staceys great joy is her
continued exploration of the waterways in her own backyard of Charleston, S.C. with
her daughter and husband.

"You are the hope of today, not tomorrow. You are

not a 'future' leader, you are a leader now. We cannot
afford to wait for you to grow up before you start
changing the world.
- Steve Culbertson, President and CEO, Youth Service America
2014 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Keynote

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Spreading the word about ocean conservation through
film: a hands-on workshop about how marine-science
filmmaking can be simple, inexpensive, and fun!
(Offered sessions 1 and 2)
Workshop organizers: Philip Gravinese and Lauren Toth, co-founders and directors of
Youth Making Ripples (youthmakingripples@gmail.com)
The Beneath the Waves Youth Making Ripples program is encourages you to spread
the word about ocean conservation, through filmmaking. Youth Making Ripples is a film
festival and competition that challenges middle and high school students to create short
films to engage the public about the importance of ocean conservation. Each year, the
Youth Making Ripples Film Festival receives marine-themed films from hundreds of
young ocean enthusiasts from around the world who are eager to make a difference in
educating the public about why we need to take action and protect our important marine
resources.
This workshop will focus on three topics to help you create videos that will engage,
motivate, and inspire audiences, while working on a limited budget. First, an expert
team of marine scientists, educators, and professional film-makers will provide key
technical tips for video production that will assist you in better planning, producing, and
creating your ocean conservation films. During this part of the workshop presenters will
demonstrate how to utilize widely available tools like iPhones, point-and-shoot cameras,
and free filmmaking software to make inexpensive, but effective films. Workshop
presenters will offer expert tips on the various aspects of filmmaking including topics
such as storyboarding, camera work, photography, recording, editing, and video
distribution. They will then demonstrate how to turn conservation messages into short
engaging stories by highlighting key points, and show you how to generate hooks that
will gain the attention of your audience. Second, they will discuss current hot topics in
marine conservation, and brainstorm some effective ways to address these hot topics
through film. Finally, theyll showcase creative examples from the Youth Making Ripples
archive to demonstrate how you can create ocean-themed footage even if you dont
have access to the ocean, by utilizing items available in most schools and homes. The
workshop will culminate with students creating a storyboard for a short film pertaining to
an ocean conservation message relevant to their interests and ocean conservation
goals.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the Presenters:
Carly Randall
Carly is a doctoral candidate at the Florida
Institute of Technology, where she is
currently studying coral-disease ecology
and researching how climate change may
affect coral diseases in the future. Her
marine biology career began as an
undergraduate research assistant in the
coral ecology lab at the University of North
Carolina Wilmington where she earned her
bachelors and masters degrees of marine
science. She took a break from academia
to work with the Environmental Protection
Agencys Coral Reef Task in Pensacola
Florida where she continued studying how
humans affect coral reefs. Her interest in
research and coral ecology compelled her to return to school where she is working on
her doctorate. In addition to her research, she has been working with Youth Making
Ripples since its inception in 2013. This program is an opportunity for K-12 students to
use their creative talents and serve as a voice for our oceans. Carly is also an amateur
photographer who enjoys taking photos above and below the water, and sharing her
passion and hobby with students.
Justin Speaks:
Justin is currently a teacher at the Environmental
Studies Center (ESC) in Jensen Beach, Florida.
He educates students from kindergarten through
12th grade in Marin County, Florida, exposing
them to the Indian River Lagoon system and
other coastal ecosystems. Prior to teaching with
the ESC, Justin was the education program
coordinator with MarineQuest at the University of
North Carolina Wilmington, where he taught
hands-on marine science lessons to students of
all ages in the state of NC. Justin also received
his bachelors degree in marine science from UNC
Wilmington and then went on to complete a
masters degree in biology from the University of
West Florida. Justin has also been a volunteer
with Youth Making Ripples, since its inception,
helping to promote awareness about marine
sciences issues through films made by students.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the Presenters Continued:
Tom Fitz:
Tom Fitz is a twice Emmy Award
winning freelance cameraman whose
work has been broadcast by PBS,
BBC, National Geographic,
Discovery, ABC, NHK, Tokyo
Broadcasting, and others. His
programs have also been displayed
in museums and other non-broadcast
venues. Tom has over 20 years of
experience in natural history
camerawork and his projects have
taken him all over the world. Tom
also co-founded and is Executive
Director of Schoolyard Films, Inc., a
non-profit devoted to educating K-12
students about the natural world and the challenges it faces. The films made by
Schoolyard Inc. are available for use by educators free of charge.

Glenn Allen:
Glenn Allen is the former Director of the
Undersea Technology Department of
Brooks Institute of Photography in Santa
Barbara, California. He is an educator,
consultant and multimedia producer
focusing on marine photography and the
environment. Glenn has worked on
everything from Sesame Street to the
BBCs, Blue Planet Series. He is also part
of Schoolyard Films production team!

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

The Selfless Shellfish and You. Helping to save the
WorldOne Oyster at a Time!
(Offered sessions 1 and 2)
Join us for a fun hands-on conservation project where you can help save the world in
just forty-five minutes! Oysters are fantastic eco system engineers that are constantly at
work filtering brackish water, providing habitat to countless species, preventing erosion
and so much more. These selfless shellfish just need a home! During this session you
will be introduced to this keystone species and get to help create a habitat which will be
the basis for a new oyster reef.
About the Presenter:
Jody Palmer, Brevard Zoos Assistant
Director of Conservation has worked for
Brevard Zoo since August 2005. The Zoos
mission statement is Wildlife Conservation
through Education and Participation and is
a leader in the field with projects such as
Florida Scrub Jay translocation, Perdido
Key Beach breeding, Adopt-a-Mangrove
with FDEP, Butterfly Monitoring,
Diamondback Terrapin Research and
Oyster restoration through oyster mats and
Brevard County oyster gardening. Ms.
Palmer has led the community outreach
and education roles for the oyster mat
project in conjunction with University of
Central Florida since 2011.
With approximately 400,000 visitors
annually, the Zoo provides an ideal venue
for outreach to a diversity of visitors who
may not otherwise learn about, or be
involved, with these projects.
In 2013, Field and Stream Magazine named Ms. Palmer a Conservationist of the Year
candidate and Disney Conservation Fund named the Oyster Restoration Team
including Jody Palmer, Dr. Linda Walters and Dr. Paul Sacks as Heroes of
Conservation. She is a proud member of the Emerging Wildlife Conservation Leaders
program, Class 6. During short breaks from Saving the World, Ms. Palmer enjoys
SCUBA diving, triathlons and section hiking the Appalachian Trail.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Youth Activism and Art
(Offered sessions 1 and 2)
What can you do for the Big Blue? This is a question that we - the Youth Executive
Board members of Big Blue & You often ask ourselves. We use different art forms to
grab peoples attention to raise awareness about what the future has in store for the
ocean if we dont change its present state. In this session we are going to ask some
tough questions and demonstrate how your own personal social media page can be
turned into a platform for marine conservation and youth activism. Through video
presentations we will demonstrate how one persons actions can create a ripple effect in
the people around them. We are photographers, artists, public speakers, bloggers, but
most importantly we use our powerful voice to give people around us an insight on how
our generation feels about upcycling, conservation and activism. Through this session
we will teach participants how to speak up and use art, as well as other media forms, to
take action to protect our blue planet. As our Co-Founder Danni Washington always
says, The best way to learn about the ocean is to get in the ocean. We take this
saying to heart and we will share how this saying has impacted all of us and how it can
change the way the participants look at the ocean. We will also be sharing our own
artwork and create some art pieces with participants that will capture the message of
what it means to be ocean minded.
About the Presenters:
The Big Blue & You is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to inspiring
and educating youth about marine conservation through arts and
media. The Big Blue & You was Co-Founded in 2008 by a mother
and daughter duo Michelle Swaby-Smith and Danni Washington.
Danni Washington is a graduate of the University of Miami with a
B.Sc. degree in Marine Science/Biology. She is an experienced oncamera personality with Untamed Science, and most recently, Ocean
GEMS, a multimedia series and outreach program connecting teen
girls to female marine scientists. Since 2008 Big Blue & You has
educated hundreds of children in the local community through the annual ArtSea event
which exposes youth to aquatic wildlife, water sports, artists from the local area, and live
music. At the beginning of this year two outstanding and passionate ocean and art
lovers working with the organization took charge of the Youth Executive Board, with the
guidance of their mentor Danni Washington. Lexi Raiford and Laura Johnson work very
closely in order to create the ultimate experience for the members working on the Youth
Executive Board. Over the past few months the Youth Executive Board has gotten the
attention of many young people who want to know what they can do to spread the
message about marine conservation. The Youth Executive Board members use their
artistic talents, their voices, their personal social media accounts, and the platform of
the Big Blue & You website to raise awareness about ocean conservation, and the
dangers that face many marine ecosystems in different parts of the world.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Leadership Gone Wild: How to Take Risks and Embrace
Change
(Offered sessions 1 and 2 Recommended for students in 10th grade or older)
Are you ready for the next challenge but you're not sure which steps to take? Ever
made an assumption about someone's personality, attitude or role only to find out you
were completely wrong? Do you ever feel, as a leader, that you're overwhelmed by
change and have totally gone wild??
Get ready to 're-wild' your leadership skills. Feel the grass under your feet, soak up the
fresh air, and dive headfirst into a new era of leadership. Get to the core of your
leadership strengths and weaknesses, learn to leverage new opportunities, and find
your F.O.C.U.S.
Comfort zone? Not anymore. Life begins outside your comfort zone, so it's time to feel
safe enough to take risks, challenge assumptions, be present in the moment and take
big steps forward. Ready?
About the Presenter:
Julie Henry is a Speaker, Facilitator, and Coach
specializing in leadership development, strategy,
and change management. She is passionate about
supporting people and organizations who feel like
they've 'hit the wall' and now face constant change
and burnout. Julie is an award-winning entrepreneur
and former senior leader of Fortune 500 and
Nonprofit organizations including Mote Marine
Laboratory. She has 20+ years of experience
developing leaders in the U.S., New Zealand and
Australia and her recent clients include Walt Disney
Parks and Resorts, Maryland Sea Grant, The Florida
Aquarium, and the Natural Start Alliance.
Julie holds a Master's Degree in Communication from the University of South
Florida and is a graduate of the Sustainable Business Leadership Executive
Program at Green Mountain College in Vermont. She earned a Postgraduate
Diploma from the University of Otago in New Zealand as a Rotary Ambassadorial
Scholar and is a proud Redhawk from Miami University of Ohio. Her journey began
as a child in Chicago where she spent as much time as possible exploring the
outdoors. Today, Julie lives in Sarasota, Florida with her husband and two small
children, and can be found running, sailing, practicing yoga, or still exploring
outside any day of the week.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Building Connections and Raising Funds
(Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Do you have a great idea and need financial support to accomplish it? Ever wonder to
yourself, Where do I begin the process to ask an individual, corporation or foundation
for support? Today, together we will walk through some "tricks of the trade" on how to
1) Identify and Research Prospective Funders, 2) Build Connections and Develop a
Case Statement and 3) Identify Elements of a Strong Proposal.
About the Presenter:
E. Howard Rutherford returned to the
University of South Florida College of
Marine Science (USF-CMS) as
Director of Development after a 13
year tenure as President/CEO with The
Pier Aquarium d/b/a Secrets of the Sea
Marine Exploration Center and
Aquarium. Before his tenure at the
aquarium, Howard was a research
associate in the nutrient chemistry
laboratory at USF-CMS where he
participated in research projects from
the Bering Sea to the Arabian Sea to
the Southern Ocean. He has witnessed
first hand the value and fragility of the
marine environment, fueling his passion to share these discoveries with the public. His
influence extends beyond Tampa Bay as a leader in ocean science education reform.
Currently, Mr. Rutherford is immediate Past-President to the National Marine Educators
Association, a national organization powered by 17 individual, regional chapters who
provide the on-the-ground efforts that support and promote national initiatives in
education and conservation such as ocean literacy. He has actively participated on the
City of St. Petersburgs Ocean Team, of which the College of Marine Science plays a
major role. As founding Co-Chair, Howard helped to establish the St. Petersburg
Science Festival. This Festival is one of four national festivals awarded a grant from the
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation to build capacity and mentor three new science festivals.
Howard is also Co-PI on Creating a Community of Practice Around a Proven Teen
Science Cafe Model, a $2.6 million project funded by the National Science Foundation.
This project is building the first network of ocean science thematic Florida Teen
SciCafes in partnership with The Florida Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory.
Howard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Chemistry from Eckerd College,
St. Petersburg, FL and attended graduate school at USF-CMS.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Addressing Ocean Acidification: Saving our Country and
our Planet (Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Do you have a passion to protect our oceans, but realize that the biggest threat they
face climate change cant be stopped just by recycling? Come to this workshop to
learn about the role of youth in three essential considerations of society: climate
change, marine conservation, and our democracy by working with a single issue:
ocean acidification.
Ocean acidification is the process by which atmospheric CO2 is absorbed by the
oceans, actually changing their chemistry and the ability of marine organisms to survive.
OA is a relatively new aspect of ocean health, but is arguably the most crucial, as it will
cause widespread and irreversible changes to all marine ecosystems. Many of the
policy mechanisms that would help combat OA are the same tools that are being used
to promote climate change solutions. Participants in this workshop will come to
understand what it can mean to think globally, and act locally when it comes to OA,
and engage with their communities and government representatives about how to
protect our oceans and our planet.
About the presenter
Shana Gallagher is a junior at Tufts University in
Boston. Though Tufts is not known for its marine
biology opportunities, she was able to have many
early marine experiences abroad, becoming scubadiving certified in The Philippines at age 10. This early
certification allowed her to explore and expand her
motivation to protect our oceans at age fifteen, she
was volunteering for eight hours every week at the
Marine Mammal Center in California. Shana attended
high school at Atlantic College, a United World
College in the UK. With only 300 students, but over
80 nationalities represented, this experience shows
students how much more connects us than divides us
across the globe, regardless of our geographical or ideological backgrounds. For
Shana, this meant recognizing the threat that climate change poses to us all. Ever
since, Shana has focused mostly on general climate change solutions, including running
her schools fossil fuel divestment movement, participating in on and off-campus
sustainability initiatives, and working for grassroots organizations such as an antifracking campaign with Fund for the Public Interest. She has also maintained her focus
on marine conservation, and is a founding member of the World Cetacean Alliance, an
interdisciplinary stakeholder organization committed to the protection of whales,
dolphins and porpoises.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About Shana Gallagher Continued:
Shana has conducted extensive marine research within her undergraduate career,
including examining coral reef resilience and marine protected area design in The
Philippines, as well as investigating the vast Wasting Disease affecting sea star species
along the US West Coast. She is also a recipient of NOAAs Hollings Scholarship, a
program designed to foster marine and environmental understanding and stewardship.
This past summer, she held a position at The Ocean Conservancy, a marine policy
advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. As a member of the Ocean Acidification
Team, Shana explored how science and policy can overlap to drive conservation in our
communities, and is here representing the organization. Ultimately, Shana is committed
to spreading respect and reverence for the oceans, and an understanding that healthy
oceans are essential to human survival.

Public Science Events

(Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Public Science Events are powerful outreach tools for generating awareness for your
conservation issue. Events like Science Cafes, Lightning Talks, and Science Festivals
are fun, energetic, and accessible. Learn more about the variety of formats and styles,
critical secrets for planning, and where to find resources to help you organize and fund
a successful Public Science Event. Create a buzz and have a ton of fun.
About the Presenter:
Jim Wharton (about.me/jimwharton, @jimwharton) is the
Director of Conservation and Education at the Seattle
Aquarium, working to inspire conservation of our marine
environment by revealing the connections between the ocean
and our everyday lives. His career includes work at the Oregon
Coast Aquarium, Smithsonian Marine Station, and Mote
Marine Laboratory. He originated the Mote Science Caf and
organized Motes Special Lecture Series. Jim has presented
on, participated in, and planned Lightning Talks and other
public science events at the Seattle Aquarium and during
professional conferences like the Association of Zoos and
Aquariums (AZA) and the National Marine Educators
Association (NMEA).

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Using Imagery and Media to Promote Ocean Conservation
(Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Through this workshop, Jim Abernethy will use his passion as an ocean conservationist,
and experience as a world-renowned photographer/filmmaker, to inspire and teach
participants strategies for using imagery and media to share stories of ocean
conservation. Jim will share creative photos and videos, as well as campaigns designed
to use media to ignite public support for the conservation of marine wildlife on a global
scale. Participants will leave with ideas and examples for incorporating the use of visual
media into their ocean conservation project plans.
About the Presenter:
Jim Abernethy is an award-winning underwater
photographer, filmmaker, author, and conservationist who
pioneered shark encounters without a cage. Starting at a
young age, scuba diving served as an inspiration for his
lifes mission as a conservationist. For decades, he has
been running photography/videography expeditions to
engage with the worlds largest predatory sharks
Abernethy hosts cage-free dive expeditions (day/night)
with tiger, great hammerheads, oceanic white tips, bull,
and lemon sharks - he is best known as an extremely
passionate crusader for their protection and has received
numerous awards for his lifelong dedication as a marine
life conservationist. His award-winning marine life images
are often featured in the worlds top nature
magazines. Additionally, Abernethys expedition clients include many of the worlds top
nature filmmakers and magazines such as Imax, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife,
Animal Planet, and Discovery Channel. The Marine Life Art Gallery in West Palm
Beach, Florida, is where his captivating images and educational books are on display
and available for purchase.
Jims relentless efforts around conservation have resulted in the creation of two nonprofits: Wildlife Voice and Operation Blue Voice. The mission of Operation Blue Pride is
to save both veterans and our oceans creatures through in-water activities, wildlife
encounters, education, and collaboration. This is all done in an effort to inspire action
around these important issues. Wildlife Voice seeks to engage and educate our youth,
as well as physically challenged people, (Project Seahorse & Rising Tide Shark Pride)
by introducing them to our oceans and inspiring them to become ocean ambassadors.
Jim mostly lives at sea, in the Bahamas, running shark expeditions and wild dolphin
encounters year round on his boat, "Shear Water," but is often booked for educational
presentations when hes spending time on land. His dive business, Jim Abernethys
Scuba Adventures Inc., is based in West Palm Beach, FL.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Rays Awareness: Become a ray biologist for a day and
help promote conservation!
(Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Join Mote Senior Biologist, Kim Bassos-Hull, for a hands-on workshop learning how
researchers study ray species in local Florida waters with a focus on spotted eagle rays
and devil rays. Students will have the opportunity to learn techniques of handling,
measuring, sampling, tagging and photographing rays and then see it demonstrated on
live rays. Students will also learn how this study is helping answer crucial conservation
questions about these rays in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. This workshop is for
all those want-to-be biologists out there!
About the Presenter:
Kim Bassos-Hull, M.S. is a Senior Biologist at
Mote Marine Laboratory working in the Dolphin
Research Program, Center for Shark Research
and Education Division. Kim grew up in
Connecticut and was always fascinated by sea life
so she headed west to attend the University of
California at Santa Cruz majoring in Biology and
Marine Science for both her B.S. and M.S degrees.
Her masters thesis work brought her to Florida in
1990 to study dolphins in Southwest Florida under
the direction of Dr. Randy Wells, director of the
Sarasota Dolphin Research Program which has
the world's longest running study of dolphins in the
world. Kim has extensive experience studying
marine animal behavior and ecology along
Florida's Gulf coast, especially in regards to photoidentification and population estimation. Kim has
been active with Mote's Education Division
mentoring high school students with research
projects and community outreach since 2007 and
has been a Co-PI with Mote's Spotted Eagle Ray
Conservation Program since 2009.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Stow It-Dont Throw It: A Solution to Pollution
(Offered sessions 3 and 4)
Looking for a solution to a dangerous type of marine pollution? Through this workshop
youll learn about the impacts of improperly disposed fishing line to marine wildlife and
be given the opportunity to assemble a personal-sized fishing line recycling bin. Youll
also have the chance to learn how to become involved in the Stow It-Dont Dont Throw
It Project and ways you can engage your school and community in a fishing line
recycling campaign. Finally, youll be given access to educational resources to raise
awareness about marine debris prevention in your community.
About the Presenter:
Bella Genta is a sophomore at the University of
North Florida, majoring in Coastal Biology. Bella has
served as the social media and outreach
coordinator for the "Stow It Don't Throw It" Project
since attending her first Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit in 2012. Bella is also a former intern in
Mote Marine Laboratorys High School Intern
Program and Seahorse Conservation Lab. Bella
hopes of one day becoming a part of the research
aspect of marine biology; until then, she really
enjoys writing about herself in the third person.

4:30-4:40 Call to Action Message

4:40-5:00 Closing Remarks/Youth Ocean
Conservation Team/Evaluations
5:30 Teen Science Caf (Optional Event RSVP on
Summit Registration Form)

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition
Are you an aspiring filmmaker? Is there an ocean conservation issue
you want to share with others? All students in grades preschoolcollege are invited to take part in the 2015 Youth Ocean Conservation
Film Competition!
This competition provides you with the chance to highlight an ocean
conservation issue thats relevant in your home town, create a short
video to raise awareness about a conservation project, or film a public service announcement
encouraging people to protect our planets ocean. The possibilities are endless just use your
creativity!
Winning films will be screened as part of the 2015 Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival,
which will be held on November 13 at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL. Winners will also
receive exciting prizes!
Visit www.yocs.org to download the contest rules and video submission instructions! Deadline for
video submissions is October 16, 2015. Good luck!

Join us for the Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival!

Friday, November 13th Mote Marine Laboratory
Join special guest, renowned marine conservation advocate Wendy
Benchley, young ocean conservation leaders, and members of your
community to celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Youth Ocean Conservation
Summit program at the 2015 Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival.
This special evening will feature a screening of the award-winning film
Shark Girl. Shark Girl shares the inspiring story of twenty-one year old
Madison Stewart who has made it her life mission to protect sharks
and their ocean home. The film goes inside Madisons underwater world,
following her journey from Australia to Mexico, Palau and the Bahamas, where her extraordinary relationship
with these wild animals unfolds. Madison reveals how sharks are vital to the health of our oceans. If they are
endangered, so is the entire underwater ecosystem. Her journey is a powerful wake-up call and a moving
record of one determined young woman devoted to protect the animal and underwater ecosystem she loves so
much.
Come be inspired by the work of young conservation leaders through a showcase of student driven ocean
conservation projects and films and meet young people making a difference to protect our blue planet!
The event will also feature a silent auction/raffle fundraiser with marine themed artwork and other items.
Proceeds will support the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit program. Admission to this event is free, however
due to limited seating an RSVP is required at www.yocs.org.
The event will take place in Mote Marine Laboratorys WAVE Center. Doors open at 6:30pm for our silent
auction and showcase of student conservation projects.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Florida Teen Science Cafe
Saturday, November 15th 5:30pm, Keating
Education Center Mote Marine Laboratory

Marine

Join your fellow teens after the Youth Ocean

Conservation Summit for a conversation with scientists!
FL Teen Science Cafe presents "Trash Talk," an
evening with a scientist, a strandings investigator, a
biologist and a conservationist. Discussion will focus on
human impacts on marine life and what you can do to help. FL Teen Science Cafes are free, informal
events for teens focusing on marine science. Each meeting welcomes a local scientist to share their
work with students. This Teen Science Cafe is sponsored by Mote Marine Laboratory's High School
Intern Program.
Featured Speakers include:
Kim Bassos-Hull, Senior Scientist, Mote Marine Laboratory
Gretchen Lovewell, Stranding Investigations Program Manager, Mote Marine Laboratory
Light dinner will be provided to participants. The event is free but participants must pre-register when
completing the Summit registration form at www.yocs.org.

Sarasota Bay Exploration!

Sunday, November 15th Ken Thompson Park
9:30am-11:30am
Join your fellow Youth Ocean Conservation Summit participants to explore Sarasota
Bay by kayak and paddleboard and by taking part in a hands on seining and dip netting
field excursion to learn more about the marine wildlife that inhabit this ecosystem. Dont
miss out on this great opportunity to wrap up your weekend in Sarasota, make new
friends, and experience Sarasota Bay!

\\

Participation in this event is free to Youth Ocean Conservation Summit participants who
select the option to participate when they complete the Summit registration form found
at www.yocs.org.

Location and Directions

The 2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit will be held at Mote Marine
Laboratory. Mote Marine Laboratory is located at 1600 Ken Thompson
Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Below are directions to Mote from a variety
of Florida cities. The event will kick-off and conclude in Motes WAVE
Center located on the left side of the main entrance to Mote Aquarium.
FROM BRADENTON: Take US-301 south to
Fruitville Rd. Turn right on Fruitville Rd. and go
approximately 2 miles until it dead ends at US41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41
and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream
Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE.
***OR***
Take US-41 south (North Tamiami Trail)
following the signs to Sarasota. While on US-41,
PASS Sarasota-Bradenton airport, Ringling
School of Art and Design, and Fruitville Rd. At
the next light, Gulfstream Avenue, (past
Fruitville Rd.) turn right. See FROM
GULFSTREAM AVENUE.
FROM FORT MYERS/NAPLES: Take I-75 north
to Exit 210 (Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Rd.
west approximately 6.5 miles until it dead ends
at US-41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto
US-41 and turn right at the next traffic light,
Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM
AVENUE.
FROM ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER:
Take I-275 south over the Sunshine Skyway
Bridge to I-75 south to Exit 210 (Fruitville Road).
Take Fruitville Rd. west approximately 6.5 miles
until it dead ends at US-41 (North Tamiami
Trail). Turn left onto US-41 and turn right at the
next traffic light, Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM
GULFSTREAM AVENUE.

FROM TAMPA: Take I-75 south to Exit 210

(Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Rd. west
approximately 6.5 miles until it dead ends at US41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41
and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream
Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE.
FROM VENICE: Take US-41 (South Tamiami
Trail) north (to the Sarasota bayfront) and turn
left onto Gulfstream Ave. See FROM
GULFSTREAM AVENUE.
FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE
Continue over the Ringling Causeway Bridge to
St. Armand's Circle (approximately 2 miles).
Enter St. Armand's Circle, making your first right
onto Boulevard of the Presidents North following
the signs to Longboat Key and Mote Aquarium.
Approximately one mile from St. Armand's
Circle, just before the drawbridge to Longboat
Key, turn right onto Ken Thompson Parkway.

2015 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Overnight Accommodation Options
LaQuinta Inn & Suites Sarasota
1803 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234
Phone: 1-941-366-5128
Special rate of $99.00 + tax per night for standard
rooms with 2 double beds or 1 king bed if you make a
reservation by October 23, 2015! Up to four people
per room. 2 night minimum.
Special rate applies for the nights of Friday,
November 13 and Saturday, November 14.
Be sure to call-in your reservation and ask for the
special YOCS Group Rate.

____________________________________________________________
Groups of youth and adults traveling from out of town may also consider
learning more about local ecosystems in the area by camping at one of the
following state parks. For campground information/reservations visit:
www.floridastateparks.org

Oscar Scherer St. Park

1843 S. Tamiami Trail
Osprey, Florida 34229
(941)-483-5956

Myakka River St. Park

13208 State Road 72
Sarasota, Florida
(941)-362-6511