Sessions to be held monthly from October through May
The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast, which is based in Osprey, has introduced the Teen Conservation Club, tailored for young people ages 13 to 17, it has announced.
The club will meet monthly from October through May, a news release says. Each session, which will take place from 2 to 4 p.m., will “provide students with the opportunity to learn more about environmental topics and issues, embark on eye-opening field trips, and amplify their voices while making a difference,” the release adds.
“During the initial meeting,” the release continues, “teens will collectively brainstorm topics of interest, identifying broad themes and local issues to dive into. In the subsequent months, participants will explore the local environment and engage with a variety of professionals to gain insights and valuable understanding of our region,” it adds. “Participants will also have the opportunity to sharpen their communication skills by preparing and delivering project-based presentations to fellow club members,” the release points out.
“Our goal with the introduction of the Teen Conservation Club is to transform teen participants from concerned observers to empowered advocates,” said Christine P. Johnson, president of the Conservation Foundation, in the release. “We want them to leave with a greater understanding of how they can make tangible impacts to address environmental issues and drive positive change in our community.”
Participants are requested to commit to all sessions, the release notes, as each builds upon the last. Field trips will take place in Sarasota and Manatee counties, it adds, and all club activities will be facilitated by the Conservation Foundation’s community education manager, Sarah Denison-Williams. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in environmental studies from New College of Florida, along with a Master of Arts in global sustainability from the University of South Florida, the release points out.
Denison-Williams is a certified Florida Master Naturalist, an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, a Project WILD facilitator, and an American Canoe Association Kayak Touring Trip leader, the release adds.
To learn more about the Conservation Foundation’s Teen Conservation Club or to sign up, visit conservationfoundation.com/events.