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LEEF Spring Mini-Conference
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Saturday, March 22
 

8:30am EDT

Mastering Your Sched Conference Schedule with Expert Help LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby
Need help using the conference schedule app?  We have folks who will help you master your schedule!
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby

8:30am EDT

Streamlined Registration and Check-in Processes LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby
Registration and Check-in
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby

8:30am EDT

Choose Your Prize: Sack Raffle Ticket Sales Event LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby
Raffle: Buy Tickets for the Items of Your Choice
Tickets can be purchased with cash only--deposit tickets into the container of your choice.  Ticket sales will close just prior to the keynote speaker begins at 3:30pm.  Winners can collect items following the day's wrap-up session.
Saturday March 22, 2025 8:30am - 3:30pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby

9:00am EDT

Conference Briefing: Today's Agenda and Housekeeping Guidelines LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
Welcome, introduce President, go over plans for the day, housekeeping
Speakers
LN

Lori Nicholson

President, LEEF
VC
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:00am - 9:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room

9:30am EDT

Enhancing Environmental Education through Behavior Change LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
Incorporating the Science of Behavior Change into Environmental Lessons and Messaging:  The application of social sciences and psychology is paramount to the success of any conservation program. During this interactive session, participants will gain a fundamental understanding of conservation behavior change and gain new ideas on how to shape either their messaging or lesson plans to ensure that behavior change is not only present but effective. The purpose of this session is to equip any educator in any setting with the tools and knowledge to create impactful learning experiences for any audience.  
Speakers
DB

Dr. Brian Ogle

Director of Conservation Learning & Audience Impact, Brevard Zoo
avatar for Amy Shea

Amy Shea

Senior Manager of Conservation Learning, Brevard Zoo
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
  Minds-on Interactive, Conservation Behavior Change

9:30am EDT

Dispersed Yet United: Broward County North Natural Areas Informal Education Programing LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
Broward County has a large, diverse group of residents and a limited number of natural areas for people to enjoy. Those that exist are small and not well known by residents. In a span of 2 years, the North Natural Areas Naturalist group has created programing within 10 natural areas, 5 regional parks and 2 libraires to educate the public on the importance of native nature while also promoting wellness, environmental education, and building community.
Speakers
CV

Camila Vallejo

Parks Naturalist, Broward County Parks and Recreation
Camila Vallejo is a Parks Naturalist for Broward County Parks and Recreation. She has always loved the outdoors, nature, and exploration. Having grown up in the urban city of Hialeah, FL, young Camila longed to connect with the natural world. She attended New College of Florida in... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
  Talk, nonformal programming

9:30am EDT

Inclusion in Teen Development Programs LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Teaching Pavilion


The WILD program is a grant funded leadership development program, that was designed to provide underserved Duval County teens with a unique employment opportunity. The WILD program operates on 3 main pillars: Conservation/environmental education; Leadership development; and Connecting/reconnecting to nature. Audience will walk away with an understanding of the importance of such youth oriented diversity programs, as well as a deeper understanding of the specifics of running a teen program,
WILD Stewards: 5 current members of the WILD team will share their personal experiences with the program. (wildprogram@jacksonvillezoo.org).
Speakers
AH

Alexander Hopf

Program Coordinator for the Wildlife Inclusion and Leadership Development, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens
Saturday March 22, 2025 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
Teaching Pavilion
  Talk, Out-of-school/onsite programming

10:30am EDT

Exploring Nature: Outdoor Environmental Education at Camp LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Teaching Pavilion
Hands on practical ways to provide outdoor education at both day camp programs and year around programs along with resources.  
Speakers
JB

Jamie Bass

Manager of Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat, Alachua County Parks and Open Space
Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Teaching Pavilion
  Hands-on, School/classroom Programs

10:30am EDT

Waste Prevention and Reuse Campaign Teaser LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
The Center for Biological Diversity has been focused on moving from our take-make-waste economy to one that is more supportive of people and the planet. Attendees to this session will learn about our waste prevention research but also the campaigns we’ve created to support individual and systems changes. Our waste prevention portfolio includes: 1) working to support secondhand/resale/thrift stores in partnership with Poshmark and the Small Business Administration; 2) incubating libraries of things throughout Florida with Shareable, 3) advocating for improved state-level food codes to clearly allow foodservice reuse with Upstream 4) drawing attention to the issue associated with blended fabrics in fast fashion with Collective Fashion Justice and 5) non-material gift giving. Our research includes: National survey results regarding the economy and how the zero waste community can embrace alternatives; National survey results related to alternative gift giving behaviors and secondhand shopping; and an analysis that found that more than half of wool knitwear is blended with plastic contributing to microplastic pollution and worsening the climate crisis.
Speakers
KD

Kelley Dennings

Senior Campaigner, Center for Biological Diversity
Kelley Dennings is a Senior Campaigner with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity where she develops and executes advocacy and outreach initiatives that address the connections between gender equity, endless growth and the climate and extinction crises. Prior to the Center... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 10:30am - 11:20am EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
  Talk, Informal Programming

11:30am EDT

Explore Lake Mize LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 11:45am EDT
Teaching Pavilion
Gather at the boat dock to join the aquatic adventure! Participants will use dip nets to explore Lake Mize, collecting and observing a variety of invertebrates species. This session will also provide practical strategies for incorporating freshwater ecosystems into your educational programs and using them as a model to teach key principles.
Speakers
avatar for Bethan Gillett

Bethan Gillett

Director. Fishing for Success Program, Fishing for Success, UF/IFAS School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences
Raised on the shores of Tampa Bay, Bethan has always had a deep connection to Florida’s waters. Her career began at the Florida Museum of Natural History in the Florida Program for Shark Research. She later conducted field research with the US Geological Survey and UF Fisheries... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 11:45am EDT
Teaching Pavilion
  Hands-on

11:30am EDT

Exploring Ecology with Art: A Showcase of Place-Based Summer Camp Activities LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
Come learn how to integrate art and science to inspire learning in your local environment! This presentation will showcase three art activities from Archbold's Ecology Summer Camp that use creativity to connect campers to scientific concepts. Following the showcase, participants will brainstorm ideas for their own site-specific art activities.
Speakers
KC

Katie Caldwell

Education Assistant, Archbold Biological Station
Katie Caldwell is the Education Assistant at Archbold Biological Station. She facilitates K-12 programs including field trips and summer camps. Katie is a return presenter at LEEF Conferences.
Saturday March 22, 2025 11:30am - 12:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
  Talk, Informal Programming
  • about Katie Caldwell is the Education Assistant at Archbold Biological Station. She facilitates K-12 programs including field trips and summer camps. Katie is a return presenter at LEEF Conferences.

12:20pm EDT

Lunch Buffet LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby
Enjoy your lunch hour after picking up your sandwich and fixings in the main conference room.  Make the most of this time by networking with new and old friends!  Be sure to watch the time so that you will be at your next session by 1:30.
Saturday March 22, 2025 12:20pm - 1:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Lobby

1:30pm EDT

Walking Through Forest Management: Fire, Logging, and Research at Austin Cary Forest LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Teaching Pavilion
Enjoy a short walk/talk tour with Scott Sager, the Austin Cary Forester, as he interprets some of the activities taking place while managing this forest.
Speakers
SS

Scott Sager

Forester, Austin Cary Forest, University of Florida - School of Forest, Fisheries, & Geomatics Sciences
Scott is the forester for the Austin Cary Forest.  
Saturday March 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Teaching Pavilion

1:30pm EDT

Protecting Florida's Manatees LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
Participants will learn to define a threatened species versus an endangered species, identify what physical and biological features necessary for conservation mean, and will be given examples in the context of the forest at Austin Carey for other threatened species woodpeckers and gopher tortoises. They will brainstorm water manatees need based on the examples given.  
Speakers
DK

Dr. Katherine Sayler

Wildlife Advocate and Community Educator, Defenders of Wildlife
Dr. Sayler is a former high school science teacher who returned to the laboratory to earn a PhD in veterinary medical sciences and a master's in public health in global and environmental health. After a career in wildlife research, I now work as a wildlife advocate and community educator... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 1:30pm - 2:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
  Minds-on Interactive, School/classroom Programs

2:30pm EDT

Navigating Federal Policy Changes and Their Impact on Your Mission LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
Are recent federal policies affecting impacting your organization’s ability to accomplish your mission? Are you feeling confused amid the chaos of the times?  This session will discuss some of the problems and suggest strategies to help guide your non-profit meet these challenges. Questions from the participants will be welcomed for discussion.
Speakers
LB

LEEF Board: Alicia Torres, Dr. Brian Ogle, Robin Reccasina, et al

Executive Board Members, League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF)
I am a native Floridian who grew up in North Central Florida that earned my B.A. in Education from the University of Florida with a specialization in middle grades science, my M.A. in Education from Florida Atlantic University, and my Ed.S. degree in Curriculum & Instruction from... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room

2:30pm EDT

Birding: The Gateway to Authentic Science! LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Teaching Pavilion
In this session participants will learn practical ways to incorporate observing birds  into their curriculum as a way to engage students with scientific protocols and connect them to the outdoors. This presentation will include instruction and hands on practice with tools of bird watching including binoculars , listing apps and identification apps. Tips about using bird watching for a variety of ages and settings will be included.
Speakers
KR

Kathy Rigling

Education Coordinator, Orange Audubon and Wekiva Youth Camp
I am the Education Coordinator for Orange Audubon Society. I my position I create and implement bird and conservation programs for schools, homeschooling cooperatives, after school programs and adults . In the summer I am the Nature Coordinator for Wekiva Youth Camp. I design and... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Teaching Pavilion
  Hands-on, Infusing EE into non-science subject areas, nonformal programming, and school/ classroom programs

2:30pm EDT

Using 4-H in Schools to Bring Environmental Education to Youth LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
4-H In School represents a collaborative initiative between UF/IFAS Extension program areas, aimed at delivering research-based educational content across various subject areas. A primary objective of 4-H In School is to introduce youth to diverse Extension programs including embryology, public speaking, and school gardens. In addition to those, Alachua County’s 4-H In Schools program offers several supplementary activities and presentations that primarily emphasize wildlife and environmental education, such as All About Snakes and Project Learning Tree, thereby broadening students' exposure to a wider array of topics. We invite you to explore what all Florida 4-H In School has to offer!
Speakers
JP

Jesse Price

Program Coordinator for Alachua County, Alachua County 4-H
Jesse is the program coordinator for Alachua County 4-H. "I grew up in Alabama and received my Bachelor's degree in Organismal Biology from Auburn University. I worked in the Nutrition Center of the Birmingham Zoo for a year after college and then moved to Florida to work for Disney... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 2:30pm - 3:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Classroom
  Talk, School/classroom Programs

3:30pm EDT

Can We Do More Together? LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
The most important challenges are often those that won’t be resolved by individuals. Using the Southeastern Environmental Education Alliance’s Landscape Analysis as a starting point, Martha will help us explore the benefits of collaborating with others to achieve common goals. Take home some suggestions for getting started! 
Speakers
DM

Dr. Martha Monroe

Professor Emerita, School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences University of Florida
Martha Monroe is a Professor Emerita at the University of Florida’s School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Sciences where she conducted research, lead Extension programs, and taught students about environmental education. She worked closely with over 100 graduate students and... Read More →
Saturday March 22, 2025 3:30pm - 4:20pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
  Talk, Keynote

4:20pm EDT

The Final Act: Concluding Remarks and Wrap Up LIMITED
Saturday March 22, 2025 4:20pm - 4:30pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
Closing Remarks and Wrap Up
Don't forget to check the Sack Raffle area to see if you are a winner
Thank you for attending and participating--safe travels home!
Speakers
VC
Saturday March 22, 2025 4:20pm - 4:30pm EDT
Stern Learning Center Conference Room
  Talk
 
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