2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Workshop Descriptions
Refer to the following descriptions of the workshops and sessions offered at the 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit when completing your online registration form.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

11:00-12:00 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 state, and work with ocean scientists and conservation, 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 identify the knowledge and skills you need to make this 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! About the panelists: Dr. Nick Whitney
Dr. Nick Whitney, a staff scientist at Mote Marine Laboratory, became focused on the mysteries of fish and sharks as he grew up while research technology grew up, too. Born in Jackson, Mich., Whitney raised endangered species of cichlid an African fish that broods its eggs in its mouth for a high school program. In college, he studied nurse sharks in the Florida Keys with his advisor Dr. Jeffrey Carrier and Wes Pratt adjunct scientists at Mote who conducted the first detailed studies of nurse shark mating in the wild, using careful observations to study the sharks behavior before the accelerometer technology became available to record fine-scale movements. Whitney moved to Hawaii in 2000, where he earned his masters and doctoral degrees while studying several shark species, including tiger and whitetip reef sharks. In 2009, Whitney moved to Florida and began the next leg of his research at Mote. He returned to study nurse sharks in the Florida Keys with a brand new tool accelerometers that could sense the sharks movements in three dimensions, measuring with great precision how they tilt, roll, turn, wriggle and

dive. Whitney was the first to deploy accelerometers on wild sharks and has since used the tags for the first time on bull sharks, sea turtles, blacktip sharks and other species.Whitney is using accelerometers for the first-ever study of how catch-and-release fishing affects blacktip sharks critical knowledge that will help resource managers maintain healthy shark fisheries. Whitney, 33, has published numerous scientific papers, popular magazine articles and two shark articles for World Book Encyclopedia Online. He has appeared on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Channel. His research has been supported by National Science Foundation, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Geographic Society. He received the Top Ten in Ten Young Alumni Award from Albion College in Michigan. Whitney earned his Bachelor of Science in 2000 from Albion, earned his Master of Science in Zoology in 2007 and his Ph.D. in Zoology in 2009 from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He lives in Bradenton with his wife, Holli, and their two young boys.

Keith Wilson
Keith Wilson is a marine biologist and an education specialist with the Sarasota County 4-H Program. Upon completion of College with a BS Degree in Biology and minor in Chemistry at Bridgewater State College in Massachusetts, Mr. Wilson accepted the position of Curator of Aquariums at Sealand of Cape Cod where he maintained both salt water and fresh water aquariums for public viewing and participated in marine mammal rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Following the Curator position, Mr. Wilson was hired to serve in the lab at the Aquaculture Research Corporation where he cultivated microscopic algae as food for mollusk cultivation in a commercial production program. After 2 years in aquaculture he was hired to operate a 4-H/Univ. of Mass. mobile marine science unit which provided marine science school enrichment education to schools throughout Cape Cod. Mr. Wilson would later move to Florida where he was hired by the Sarasota County Cooperative Extension Service/4-H Program to teach Environmental Science Programs to schools in Sarasota County, where he presently teaches.

Sara Kane
As the Public Outreach and Education Manager for the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Sara Kane is responsible for developing and implementing programs to raise the community's awareness of the SBEP and its mission to restore Sarasota Bay. She interacts with local policy makers, teachers, students, citizens, organizations and the media. Sara manages numerous projects including climate change and sea level rise, socio-economic studies, mini-grants, kayak tours, volunteer programs, teacher training workshops, education programs and the Citizens Advisory Committee for Sarasota Bay. Sara is a graduate of Texas A&M University where her studies focused on ocean and coastal resources, environmental policy, and scientific diving research in Galveston, Texas. Prior to joining SBEP, Sara worked for a consulting firm as an environmental scientist and field team leader for seagrass research projects in Florida. She also worked at Mote Marine Laboratory in the Dive Operations Program where she was part of the scientific diving team for projects including coral spawning in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, offshore deep water blue holes and fish surveys for artificial reef systems.

Kat Nicolaison
Kat Nicolaisen is a Senior Manatee Research Trainer at Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. She was born in Denver, Colorado but grew up outside of Washington, DC in Northern Virginia. Even though she was land-locked most of her life, Kat always new that she wanted to be a marine biologist. After graduating high school, Kat moved to South Carolina where she attended Coastal Carolina University. While in school, Kat volunteered with Coastals resident dolphin population study and interned at Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, Florida. While in Key Largo, she also volunteered with Marine Mammal Conservancy and worked with the Worldstrides Education Outreach program. In 2007, she graduated from Coastal Carolina University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Marine Science and a minor in biology. After graduation, Kat moved to St. Augustine, Fl and worked as a marine mammal aide at The Dolphin Conservation Center at Marineland, assisted with the care and training of 15 Atlantic Bottlenose dolphins. In 2008, she was hired by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to work as a biological scientist tracking the migration of the North Atlantic Right Whale. In 2009 Kat finally reached her goal of making it to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium in Sarasota, FL. She first began her career at Mote working as a Marine Science Educator before being promoted to the Animal Care Department. She has now worked her way up to being the Senior Trainer for two Florida manatees, Hugh and Buffett. Hugh and Buffett are the only two manatees in the world that are trained to participate in behavior research. Kat and her fellow researchers have learned all about this species and their current projects are leading to groundbreaking conservation efforts to help support the wild population.

Kim Bassos-Hull
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 at 42 years. Kim has extensive experience studying marine animal behavior and ecology along Florida's Gulf coast, especially in regards to photo-identification 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.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Afternoon Workshops: 1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: STREAM: Becoming a Citizen Journalist
Inspired by the critical need for real-time reporting and local perspectives during the Gulf Coast oil spill, EarthEcho International has developed STREAM (STudents Reporting Environmental Action through Media), a vital new youth citizen journalism movement that will engage, educate, and equip the next generation of environmental champions. Who can be a Citizen Journalist? YOU! In every community there is a story that needs to be toldespecially about how we continue to impact our environment. Is there a river that has become a dumping ground? Are single use water bottles still the norm? Does a beach or other waterfront area need more trash containers? Is a park overrun with litter? And, most importantly, how are people, especially other youth, taking action and offering solutions to these challenges? Be the eyes and ears and voice of your community. Tell your story! Get started with this action-packed workshop.

About the Presenter:

As EarthEcho International's first Director of Learning, Kyra Kristof has played a critical role in shaping the vision of EarthEcho's programs that promote and support sustainability in society. In addition to her work with EarthEcho International, Ms. Kristof consults with a wide range of organizations on program development and digital strategy. She is particularly passionate about sustainable food and agriculture issues and is the Co-Founder of Pollin8r. Before meeting the Cousteaus and beginning her own personal journey of understanding how everything she does makes a difference, Ms. Kristof was dedicated to the field of arts in education, developing programs and products that used learning experiences in the arts to meet the complex needs of communities and educational systems domestically and abroad. Ms. Kristof holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Carnegie Mellon University.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: Lights, Camera, Action!
Inspire others to join you and the work of your project, and/or educate the public about an important environmental issue that relates to the work of your project. Brief public service announcements are a great way to do both! This video workshop will give participants a chance to view PSAs created by other youth, will take participants through a step by step storyboarding process to create a PSA, and will end with participants filming their own PSAs for their newly planned ocean conservation projects! About the Presenter:
Jared Padgett is 19 years old from Sarasota Florida and is currently enrolled in college at State College of Florida and is studying there to receive his AA degree. This past year Jared ended his 10 year service as a 4-H members and he served as the Florida 4-H President representing 250,000 4-H members in Florida. During high school Jared interned at the Access Sarasota T.V. Station and at SNN Local news 6. In the free time that he has, he enjoys working on editing, filming and hosting his own cable television show. Jared looks forward to one day going to law school and maybe even pursing a political career.

1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: Fundraising Fundamentals - Telling Stories and Raising Money
Congratulations, you have an action plan that is going to save the endanger Chinook Salmon. The problem is that the average Joe has never heard of the Chinook Salmon and is not sure he really cares. This session will explore how to craft and share a meaningful story that will inspire people to support your effort. We will explore different tools such as face-to-face presentations, media coverage, fundraising Web sites, and social media. About the Presenter:
Kelly Romanoff joined the staff of Gulf Coast Community Foundation in August 2008 as a member of the community investment team. She currently serves as the marketing manager and project manager for GulfCoastGives.org and YoudBePerfectforTHis.org. In her role, Kelly supports the nonprofits and donors who these Web sites, as well as, managing many of Gulf Coast Community Foundations in-house marketing needs. Before joining Gulf Coast, Kelly worked at Florida Philanthropic Network based in Winter Park, Florida for three years. A graduate of University of Central Florida she holds a masters degree in public administration and nonprofit management.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: Plastic Pollution How You Can Be Part of the Solution!
Plastic pollution is a problem that we can do something about. "Plastic Pollution How You Can Be Part of the Solution" is an engaging workshop presented by the founders of One More Generation (OMG) designed to teach participants about the severity of the issue of plastic pollution and the importance of taking action to prevent this problem through recycling and reduction of single-use plastic items. Through this workshop, participants will learn how they can give a plastic awareness presentation to members of their communities in an effort to communicate the importance of plastic pollution prevention and solutions to this pressing problem! About the Presenters:
One More Generation is an amazing organization started by two elementary students who are trying to clean up our environment and save endangered species for at least One More Generation... and beyond. Presenting this workshop are OMG founders, 9-year old Olivia Ries and 10 year old Carter Ries, and their parents, OMG board members Jim and Lauren Ries. Together, they have been involved in initiatives which include working to stop Rattlesnake Roundups, trying to save Sea Turtles during the Gulf oil Spill, helping raise $50,000 to help save Cheetah's from becoming extinct, and creating their own "Plastic Awareness Week" educational program designed to teach kids about the harms and affects of plastic pollution.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: Communicating Ocean Conservation Through Art
Inspired by the Washed Ashore Project and Oceans101, Carole Rosario and Jenna Cummings, in their drive to conserve, recycle and educate their students about marine debris will present on the ability to clean up marine debris, geotag the marine debris using Google earth, and make art out of found objects. This workshop will share plans on guiding students through the three-fold objective: making great art, learning about how to care for our planet, and utilizing science and technology to share it! About the Presenters:
Carole Rosario is the art teacher at the Canterbury School of Florida. Art has been one of Caroles passions ever since she was a young girl living in London, England. Her move to Jamaica and her high school art teachers influence further cemented her decision to become an artist, but not yet an art teacher. That decision came after receiving an associates degree in textile design at Pratt Institute in New York, and then enrolling in City College, where her mentor persuaded her to take the arts education path. She did and has enjoyed teaching visual arts for more than 22 years and has seen many of her students go on to arts colleges and careers. While she has always been concerned with the care of the environment and the ocean, combining these concerns with an artistic message, inspires her to a greater passion and drive to educate young people about the need to also foster the same concerns. She lives in St. Petersburg with her husband and two children. Her personal creative interests include oil painting, photography, pottery, fiber arts and native plant gardening.

Jenna Cummings grew up in Taunton, Massachusetts and frequented Cape Cod during the summers. Her love of ocean grew there while studying tide pools and endless dunes. Jenna moved to Saint Petersburg, Florida to attend Eckerd College where she completed her Bachelors in science while studying marine geology. From there she continued into graduate school at the College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, Saint Petersburg, Florida. She graduated with a Masters in Science after studying paleoclimate records of sediments from the Gulf of Mexico. During her last year of graduate school she entered the classroom as an intern and fell in love with sharing her excitement about science with students of all ages. She has been teaching at the Canterbury School of Florida and is currently the Director of the program. She is the West Central Regional Director of the Florida Marine Science Educators Association. Jenna believes the solution to the threatened ocean environment and marine lies within the students we teach today.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

1:00-1:45 Workshop Session 1: More than Money: Developing Partnerships with the Business Community for Ocean Conservation
You have a fantastic, inspiring idea for ocean conservation. As you begin to contact businesses about sponsorships and funding opportunities, did you know that some are looking to be even more involved? Businesses today are looking for ways to actively support their local and global community through providing their staff with volunteer opportunities, making changes to operate more sustainably, and be good citizens. Many care deeply about the ocean and would love to know how they can help beyond providing a few dollars and their logo. You have an opportunity to develop and leverage a unique partnership that may just inspire even more ocean-conscious citizens!

About the Presenter: Julie Henry is the Director of Conservation Enterprises

Unlimited (@ConservationEnt) and Co-Founder of NoshPlanet. An ocean conservationist at heart Julie began her career teaching at Chicago's John G. Shedd Aquarium. After a few years of teaching about zebra mussels in frigid Lake Michigan and yearning to see a sea turtle in the wild, she migrated south to Mote Marine Laboratory. Julie got her 'zoo fix' managing the education programs at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay before launching Conservation Enterprises Unlimited (CEU) with her business partner based outside Melbourne, Australia. The CEU team works on projects ranging from conservation strategy to green business coaching with a diverse client base including corporate, non-profit, government and communities. CEU was recently awarded the prestigious 2012 Think Green Small Business Award from the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. Locally, Julie serves the Sarasota Chamber as a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Green Business Leadership Council. On an international level, she is an Advisory Board Member to Global Urban Development Foundation and the Climate Change Alliance. She holds a Sustainable Business Leadership Graduate Certificate from Green Mountain College, an MA in Communication from USF and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the University of Otago in New Zealand. Julie is a proud graduate from Miami University in Ohio with BS degrees in Zoology and Education. Her favorite new project is NoshPlanet (@NoshPlanet). A great example of partnerships through business and non-profits, NoshPlanet is an app that allows people to find restaurants that serve verified, sustainable food. Check it out - we'd love to have you join our community of Noshers!

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

1:45-2:30 Workshop Session 2: Repeat of Session 1 Workshops

2:40-3:25 Workshop Session 3: Stow It-Dont Throw It a Marine Debris Prevention Program
Interested in helping protect wildlife from the dangers of marine debris? Through this engaging workshop participants will learn about marine debris where it comes from, the ways it impacts marine wildlife and solutions to this ever increasing problem. Upon completion of this workshop, attendees will be trained and certified by the Stow It-Dont Throw It Project to give a presentation on marine debris prevention to members of their local communities and will be provided with educational materials to assist them with this effort! About the Presenter:
Sean Russell is a 19 year old conservationist and environmental activist whose work includes serving as the director and founder of a youth-driven, marine debris prevention effort, the Stow ItDont Throw It Project. Through his work with this project, he has spread his message of marine debris prevention to youth in 17 Florida counties and other areas across the country. Sean has also lead environmental efforts, with students involved in the Florida 4-H program for the past ten years. As a former high school intern at Mote Marine Laboratory, his work with the Motes Sarasota Dolphin Research Program led him to his current involvement in marine debris prevention efforts. Since graduation from high school, Sean has remained an active volunteer in Motes education programs by assisting with their summer camps in the Florida Keys. Dedicated to youth engagement, Sean currently serves on the State Farm Youth Advisory Board where he works with 30 students to oversee a five million dollar a year grant program for youth driven servicelearning projects. Sean also serves on the youth council of Youth Service America, and works on initiatives to involve youth in environmental service projects. Sean is a student at the University of Florida where hes majoring in biology. His hobbies include hiking, kayaking, SCUBA diving, photography, and community service.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2:40-3:25 Workshop Session 3: Connecting for Ocean Conservation
New opportunities for connecting with the ocean conservation community are emerging. Marine scientist, educators, students and ocean enthusiasts everywhere are using social networks to communicate and coordinate their efforts. Learn how services like Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and more can effectively be used to save the seas! About the Presenters:
Jason Robertshaw is a marine science educator at Mote Marine Laboratory, responsible for designing and directing their digital learning projects. He is a native Floridian who attended the University of South Florida, majoring in Biology. He enjoys beachcombing, scuba diving and computer programming. He is webmaster for the Florida Marine Science Educators Association and a member of the International Society for Technology in Education. He lives with his wife and miniature dachshund in Sarasota. He writes at his blog, cephalopodcast.com where you can hear episodes of his internet radio show, The Cephalopodcast and on Twitter @cephalopodcast.

Kasey Gaylord-Opalewski is the SeaTrek Program Coordinator & Educator at Mote Marine Laboratory. She has received innumerable accolades from teachers for her engaging presentations to students. Kasey has developed curriculum, activities, and has been a co-creator of the videoconference programs. Kasey's past professional experiences include working with a variety of marine life in animal hospitals and training facilities. Kasey has a B.A. in Biology from Minnesota State University - Moorhead (2001), a Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies (2004) and a M.S in Environmental Education (2005) from Nova Southeastern University.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2:40-3:25 Workshop Session 3: Fundraising 101
Have you ever struggled to find funding to carry out your conservation work? If so, Fundraising 101 is right for you! This workshop will provide you with a variety of fun, easy to implement fundraising ideas to help you raise the money you need for your ocean conservation project work, or to help fund the work of other ocean conservation organizations! About the Presenter:
Margaret Clark is a home educator who has been involved in environmental service projects and environmental education work, in the Sarasota County area, for the past fourteen years. Margaret is a native Floridian who cares deeply about the delicate ecosystems in Florida that are home to a variety of living creatures whose lives depend on our ability to balance the needs and wants of mankind, with what these organisms need to survive. As the leader of the Sarasota County 4-H Club, the Green Team, Margaret led her club on local beach and park clean ups in an effort to help protect local environments in her community. She also helped the club members fund raise and apply for grants to come up with the money they needed to aid them in their efforts to gather supplies for park beautification projects, tree plantings and to help with the funding of the initial efforts of the Stow It Dont Throw It Marine Debris Prevention Project. Margaret is a graduate of Florida International University where she received a bachelors degree in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She serves as an advisor to the Stow It Dont Throw It Project and has been involved in the planning and implementation of the Youth Ocean Conservation Project for the past two years.

2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2:40-3:25 Workshop Session 3: Branding: You vs. the World
We all have an image we wish to portray. This is especially true for conservation organizations. Our speeches, logos, promotional materials, and policies all have to align with our brand. What can a logo tell you about an organization's mission? How does social media impact the way people think about your organization? This workshop will help you answer many of the questions you might have about creating a brand that works for you and your organization's entire audience. About the Presenter:
Charles Orgbon founded Greening Forward, a youth-driven environmental network, in June 2008. Today, the network is responsible for having recycled 20 tons of waste, planted 72 trees, and saving 86,000 gallons of water. Charles is now a junior at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia. Additionally, Charles is an environmental columnist in his hometown's community newsletter and is the youngest board member for Earth Force. Additionally he is the youngest advisor to Youth Serivce America and the Zerofootprint Foundation. During his free time, Charles likes to hike, fish, camp, and enjoy time with his family and friends.

3:30-4:15 Workshop Session 4: Repeat of Session 3 Workshops