LEEF Spring Mini-Conference

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).

Hands on practical ways to provide outdoor education at both day camp programs and year around programs along with resources.  

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.

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.

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.