JULY 1, 2025 | 9:30 AM-4 PM

Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to make a meaningful change in your community? Youth ages 12-18 are invited to join like-minded peers at our annual Youth Environmental Summit to network with conservationists, community scientists and students. Together, we are working to foster appreciation for all animals, highlighted species that are often misunderstood like snakes, sharks and insects. We’ll kick off the day with a keynote address given by OCEARCH founder Chris Fischer, followed by a variety of workshops connecting participants to underappreciated wildlife. We hope to see you there!

Registration is $15 (includes a raffle ticket) and includes a raffle ticket for a variety of prizes! Space is limited. Participants must be pre-registered to attend, and registration ends 48 hours before the event.

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Agenda Highlights

Keynote: Chris Fischer - OCEARCH

Chris Fischer is a lifelong explorer, entrepreneur and founder of OCEARCH, a globally recognized nonprofit advancing ocean research and conservation. He has led 48 collaborative expeditions focused on unlocking the life history of white sharks and other keystone species to help restore ocean balance.

Through OCEARCH, Chris has united researchers, policy makers and the public in a groundbreaking open-source approach to science, resulting in over 98 peer-reviewed papers and global policy impact. His work has reached millions via the OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker and a free K–12 STEM curriculum, empowering the next generation to understand and protect our oceans.

 

Morning Workshops

Bat Signal: Current State of Bats in the US

Ariel Horner – FL Bat Conservancy

Where do bats fit into conservation in the US? We’ll address the current status of bats in our country, cover bat biology, ecology and why they should be conserved. Participate in a case study of our own endangered FL bat, the Florida bonneted bat. At the end of the program you’ll get to meet bat ambassadors from the Florida Bat Conservancy.

Compassion in Action: Safe & Smart Pet Ownership

Kennedy Collins – BZ & Theresa Clifton – Brevard Humane Society

A lot of science goes into pairing families with the perfect furry animal. Join us to learn about adoption, animal care and what shelters do to help these animals find new homes. You may get to meet an adoptable friend!

How to Train Your Dragons

Brevard Zoo Herps & Aquatics Keepers

Witness for yourself the intelligence of our large reptiles! Watch H&A Keepers train a Komodo dragon, American alligators and American crocodiles, encouraging them to participate in their health care. Encounters will be followed up with a Q&A session.

Living Alongside Snakes

Matthew Metcalf – USGS

We’ll discuss high profile snake species in South FL with a focus on Eastern indigo snakes, Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes and Burmese pythons. Learn about their roles in the ecosystem and a few of the ways that scientists study these misunderstood animals. Attendees are invited to practice using a radio transmitter to better understand how scientists track these animals.

Shark Research & Conservation

Derek Burkholder & Samuel Escobar – NSU Guy Harvey Research Institute

Let’s talk about shark conservation and research, satellite tagging/tracking and shark genetics. Join workshop leaders to explore shark biology with a shark dissection!

 

Career Panel

Moderated by Mikaela Simpson & Tabatha Reece. Featuring Chris Fischer, Ariel Horner, Matthew Metcalf and Madison Polk

Learn about just a few of the myriad of careers to choose from as an environmentalist. Meet incredible people with careers in varying fields, seeing how different paths can converge with the goal to protect our planet. Hear the career paths of our panelists, with plenty of opportunity to ask questions and share your own insights.

 

STEM Lab

Led by David Raguidnin and Erin Gaydar

Presenting the new Brevard Zoo STEM Lab! BZ aims to provide students the opportunity to conduct scientific research with high quality equipment. Learn how to operate a variety of our instruments, discuss the benefits of student science research and explore some of the laboratory techniques you can run with our inventory.

 

Afternoon Workshops

Box, Paper, Scissors

Laurie Der

If you enjoy crafts and upcycling, this is the workshop for you! Using cardboard boxes, paper towel tubes, and paper bags, give recyclable materials a second chance. Taking animal preferences into account, create an enrichment item our cold blooded friends will enjoy.

Helping Wildlife Thrive

Lindsay Mayer & Louise Schuster – FL Wildlife Hospital

How can you help the wildlife you find in your own backyard? The Florida Wildlife Hospital will be here to teach you! Learn some simple actions to help wildlife thrive, try your hand at identifying local species and meet an ambassador opossum!

Mantas: Florida’s Secret Sea Giants

Isabel Moyer – FL Manta Project

Despite being some of the biggest fish in the ocean, manta rays aren’t well understood. In fact, the Florida Manta Project is the first dedicated study of manta rays in FL! Discuss myths about manta rays, stepping into the shoes of a researcher to explore questions we are still trying to answer.

What’s the Buzz on Bees?

Matthew Thompson – Backyard Beekeepers & Alyssa Rice – Brevard Zoo

Do you know what’s going on inside a beehive? Check out live bees in an observation hive, make wildflower seed bombs and learn all about some incredible pollinators.

Zoo Residents as Species Ambassadors

Ambassador Keeper & Zoo Teen Volunteers – Brevard Zoo

At Brevard Zoo, our animals play a critical role in connecting visitors with wildlife. Meet a few of our less fuzzy/cuddly ambassadors while we discuss empathy-building for less favorably viewed species, chat about their value in their environments and view a training session.

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