2013 Youth Ocean Conservation

Summit Event Program

November 16 ● Mote Marine Laboratory ● Sarasota, FL

Empowering the next generation of ocean conservationists!

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit schedule

Saturday, November 16th

9:00-9:45 Registration/Check-in – Keating Marine Education Center,

New Pass Room 10:00-10:10 Welcome to the Summit and Mote Marine Laboratory Sean Russell, Coordinator, Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Aly Busse, Director of Education, Mote Marine Laboratory Kim Bassos-Hull, Senior Biologist, Sarasota Dolphin Research Program 10:10-10:30 Keynote Presentation – Justin Riney, Expedition Florida 500 10:30-11:00 Youth Ocean Conservation Team member presentations Brevard Zoo Teen Volunteers Lauren Baillie and Sabrina Angelides

Florida Teen Science Café Program Sara Brenes Casey Sokolovic

Morning Workshop Sessions: 11:00-12:00 Action Planning Session (recommended for 1st time participants)

Careers in Ocean Conservation (recommended for returning participants) 12:00-12:20 Make a Bigger Difference with a Better Message – Debra Kerr, YouthMuse 12:20-1:10 Lunch

Afternoon Workshop Sessions 1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1

- Building Grassroots Organizations - EarthEcho Expedition: Into the Dead Zone - Grant Writing 101 - Finding Hidden Treasures: How to Get Support for Your Project - Great Films Can Change the World

2:00-2:45 Workshop Session 2 All Session 1 Workshops repeat, except Grant Writing 101

- Art in Action replaces Grant Writing 101

2:50-3:35 Workshop Session 3 - Communicating Ocean Conservation Through Art - Upcycle for Green Style - Connecting for Ocean Conservation - Lights, Camera, Action! - Research Track: "Mark Me, Match Me"

3:40-4:25 Workshop Session 4 Session 3 workshops repeat.

4:30-4:40 Call to Action

4:40-5:00 Closing Remarks/Youth Ocean Conservation Team/Evaluations 5:00 Ice Cream/Networking Social (optional)

Register online at www.yocs.org!

Thanks to Mote Marine Laboratory for hosting our 2013

Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, and our sponsors for their financial support of this event!

A special thanks to our speakers, workshop presenters, and event volunteers for their contributions to this year’s summit!

And thanks to YOU, for joining us as we work together to

protect our planet’s marine ecosystems!

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 10:10-10:30 Keynote Presentation: Justin Riney Justin Riney is the Founder and Executive Director of Mother Ocean, and is currently on a 365-day journey leading Expedition Florida 500. Expedition Florida 500 is a modern-day exploration of Florida’s coastline, waterways, and aquatic ecosystems as seen through the eyes of the waterman. The Expedition celebrates Florida’s 500th anniversary since Ponce de Leon landed on Florida's coastline back in 1513, and its primary goal is to highlight the importance of stewardship efforts as they relate to the ocean, coastlines, waterways, and the marine ecosystem. Riney was born in the rolling hills of East Texas and raised on the Atlantic Coast of Florida, and was deeply influenced by both the country and the ocean. He graduated from the University of Florida with a BSBA in Finance and specialized in innovation and entrepreneurship. He's worked and lived on the Andros Barrier Reef and the Tongue of the Ocean in the Bahamas, as well as the Pacific coastline of Southern California where he worked with the University of California, San Diego and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. His ultimate goal is to promote global ocean stewardship and facilitate the progression of ocean science, innovation, exploration, and discovery in the process.

Photo Credit: Jason Nuttle

Photo Credit: Tanya G. Burnett

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 10:30-11:00 Youth Ocean Conservation Team Presentations Through this special opening presentation, hear from some of our 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit participants as they share the exciting ocean conservation work they’ve been involved in over the past year, and talk about how they started the ocean conservation projects they’re working on! About the presenters: Brevard Zoo Teen Volunteers: The Brevard Zoo Teen Volunteers have the unique opportunity to work alongside zoo staff to create a positive and memorable experience for Zoo visitors. They perform a variety of tasks at the Zoo, including Animal Husbandry, Kayaking, Animal Handling, and Public Education. Zoo Teens also volunteer their time for Zoo Camp, fundraisers, special events and conservation projects. Teens also have the opportunity to work directly with animals and the public, gaining valuable skills for a variety of careers. Most importantly, Zoo Teens gain an appreciation for the value of volunteer work and community involvement. After attending the 2011 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, this group of dedicated high school students launched a series of beach cleanups to help protect their local beaches from marine debris. This year they have organized their own environmental summit, worked with local scientists to understand and share the threats to Diamondback Terrapins, and raised funds to support a variety of conservation organizations. Lauren Baillie and Sabrina Angelides:

Sabrina Angelides is a senior at Shorecrest Preparatory school where she is an active member of the Eco Club. Growing up by the ocean, Sabrina was always fascinated by its vastness and beauty. She became interested in ocean conservation one summer when she attended summer camp at Tampa Bay Watch. Since then, she has become a member and volunteer and most recently has co-founded Operation Innocent with Lauren Baillie. Operation Innocent is an ocean conservation project whose video was one of the winners of the 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Festival. They were also awarded a two hundred dollar mini-grant from the Youth Ocean Conservation Team this year.

Growing up on the West Coast of Florida, the ocean always played a big part in the life of Lauren Baillie, a sophomore at Indian Rocks Christian School. She became interested in ocean conservation at a young age, and got involved with the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit during its first year. She now helps to lead Operation Innocent, a marine conservation project, with long-time friend Sabrina Angelides. Lauren is also an active volunteer and member at Tampa Bay Watch, and has a passion for motivating fellow youth to join conservation efforts. Together, their goal is to raise awareness for the ocean and its inhabitants - the ones who can't fight back: the innocent.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit About the Presenters: The Florida Teen Science Café Program Leadership Team: FL Teen Science Cafe is a collaboration between The Pier Aquarium, Florida Aquarium and Mote Marine Laboratory. The purpose of the cafes is to bring free, informal discussions about marine science to teenagers. Teenagers have the opportunity to meet face-to-face with scientists and learn about their current research. The leadership team for this program is made up of 5 high school students, who help to coordinate this program. Sara Brenes:

Sara Brenes started Shark Whisperer Organization (SWO) when she was 15 after being inspired by the movie Sharkwater, by Rob Stewart. Sara has always loved sharks but never knew how much trouble they were in. After seeing the movie Sharkwater, Sara was determined to do something to make a difference for sharks. Sara thought the best way to start would be to educate people by telling them the truth about sharks - why they are important and necessary to our oceans. Sara takes part in events all over South Florida where she often sets up a presentation booth with educational material about sharks. She also sells very inexpensive “sharky” items and gives the funds generated from those sales to shark and ocean conservation organizations. Sara has taken people out to see sharks up close and personal on shark research trips, shark diving adventures and shark cage viewing trips. She also gives presentations at dive shops, schools, summer camps, churches, scout meetings and takes people out on stand up paddle board tours in

shark nursery areas. Additionally, Sara organizes beach clean ups, and brings in trash from every dive and SUP tour she goes out on. She dives with sharks as often as she can to dispel the myth that sharks are man-eaters. She also takes disabled individuals and under privileged children diving with sharks or to places where they can view sharks. Recently Sara has been adding members to her team to expand her educational outreach work. She is also working to implement a shark advocacy week program for schools to teach youth about the value and importance of sharks. Sara has started a SWO Kidz Conservation Award program to give recognition to other conservation minded kids and kids groups.

Casey Sokolovic: Casey Sokolovic is 16 years old from Greenville, North Carolina. She founded Love A Sea Turtle after seeing sick and injured turtles on a 3rd grade field trip to a sea turtle hospital. She runs cross country, enjoys baking, reading and scuba diving, and loves science. Casey believes that in order to make a difference, you must BE the difference.

2013 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 conservationists, 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 gain the knowledge and skills you need to make your 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 planet’s 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! You’ll also have the chance to have your questions answered by this team of conservationists, and they’ll 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: Nanette O’Hara Nanette O’Hara has served as the Public Outreach Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Estuary Program for nearly 14 years. She is responsible for communicating the program’s goals and successes to the media and the public, and for developing strategies to improve community awareness of bay problems and solutions. A 1982 graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications, Nanette is a former award-winning environmental reporter for The Tampa Tribune and other Florida newspapers. She is also an avid nature photographer, cyclist, and gardener, as well as an obsessed fly fisher who thinks tarpon and snook are the most beautiful creatures on earth.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Careers in Ocean Conservation About the Panelists:

Matt Seguin Matt Seguin, the Husbandry Supervisor at the Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory, became interested in wildlife as a kid growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Among the corn and soybean fields, he found interest in the natural world by reading every animal book he could get his hands on at the local library, and also going out and getting muddy fishing, catching turtles and frogs, and just having fun exploring the outdoors. Seguin decided to leave Illinois after High School to

attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he studied Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. At UF, he had opportunities to help with numerous projects including pocket gopher research, water sampling and fisheries research, local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, and fruit bat husbandry at the Lubee Foundation. However, when he began volunteering and working at the Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology Division, his passion for fish flourished. At the museum, he worked on the International Shark Attack File helped curate preserved fish specimens, and took care of a handful of live fish displays. He had the opportunity to participate in a number of research cruises on the R/V Bellows and R/V Suncoaster, conducting surveys of the demersal fish and invertebrate populations in the Straits of Florida. After receiving a BS from UF, he attended the University of Central Florida in Orlando where he continued his work on the fish populations in the Straits of Florida and earned a Masters Degree in Biology. While attending UCF, Matt got a part time job at Discovery Cove, where his career as an aquarium biologist really took off. He helped open the park in guest services and then worked in the aquarium department for a few years before transferring to Sea World. There, he worked on sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation and marine and freshwater fish quarantine. He attended the Diseases of Warmwater Fish workshop through the University of Florida’s College of Veterinary Medicine and continued to develop his quarantine and fish treatment skills. He spent a brutal winter working with cold water fish, Humboldt penguins, vampire bats (animals associated with the Humboldt Current, off the coast of South America), at the Brookfield Zoo before moving back to Florida to thaw out in Sarasota. He currently holds the position of Husbandry Supervisor at Mote, where he is responsible for the health and well being of the fish and invertebrate collection in the Aquarium. He also oversees the quarantine process for the fish and invert side of the aquarium. In addition, Matt has recently started teaching Environmental Science at the Ringling College of Art and Design.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Careers in Ocean Conservation About the Panelists: Julie Henry Julie Henry (@Kiwi_E) is Founder and President of The Pulse Team - a national consulting group specializing in eco-messaging strategy, audience engagement, digital impact and leadership. We help Connect, Inspire, and Challenge audiences to action for conservation and sustainability outcomes. Recent clients include SeaWorld Parks and Entertainment, National Marine Educators Association, The Marine Mammal Center, Florida Aquarium and the International Ocean Institute. Julie is a renaissance woman and smasher of barriers who relishes being the person in the room tasked with asking 'So what?' and

pushing organizations to achieve a higher level of excellence. Julie is part-Kiwi, half-mermaid, a marathon runner and a mom to two mini-naturalists.

A lifelong advocate for the ocean, Julie began her career teaching science in an inner city middle school in Cincinnati, Ohio and at Chicago's John G. Shedd Aquarium. She advanced to leadership roles including Vice President of Education at Mote Marine Laboratory, Education Manager for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and was chosen as a TogetherGreen Fellow of the National Audubon Society in alliance with Toyota. Julie serves her local community as a member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and as past Chair of the Green Business Leadership Council. She supports international initiatives as a Board Member of Global Urban Development and the Climate Change Alliance, and as Co-Chair of the Envisioning Sustainable Futures committee. Julie holds master's degrees in Communication from USF and Outdoor Education from the University of Otago in New Zealand. She earned a Sustainable Business Leadership Executive Program Graduate Certificate from Green Mountain College (VT) and BS degrees in Zoology and Education from Miami University of Ohio.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Careers in Ocean Conservation About the Panelists: Erinn M Muller

Dr. Erinn Muller grew up in the Finger Lakes Region of Upstate New York and has wanted to be a marine biologist since she was 5 years old. Her love for the ocean led her to a career in coral reef ecology and ocean conservation. When she watched over 75% of corals around the US Virgin Islands die from a disease outbreak in 2005, she realized that in order to preserve coral reefs we must better understand the causes of these disease outbreaks. Dr. Muller is currently a Mote Postdoctoral Fellow at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL studying coral-disease dynamics. Dr. Muller has studied coral diseases for

the last 9 years in many places throughout the world including the US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, the FL Keys, and as far away as Indonesia. Coral diseases are arguably the greatest threat to reefs worldwide. Dr. Muller’s research focuses on the epidemiology of coral diseases, understanding where, when, and why coral disease outbreaks occur. Coral diseases, which are influenced by the environment, have significantly changed the structure and function of coral reefs within the last three decades. Dr. Muller’s research has shown that stressed corals are more susceptible to disease infection. Stress can be caused by high water temperatures, pollution, ocean acidification, and even underwater bombing, which is a fishing method used in many third world countries. Creating a healthier environment and reducing stress on corals will decrease the probability of disease outbreaks, which will help preserve coral reefs around the world. Dr. Muller’s goal is to understand what makes corals sick in order to reduce the impact of diseases in the future. Dr. Muller has published many peer-reviewed publications and a book chapter. She received a NOAA Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship from 2008 to 2012, which funded her PhD research. As a Mote Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Muller participates in several different research projects that focus on coral immunology, coral-microbe interactions, coral reef resilience to global stressors, and coral-disease dynamics under a changing climate. Her research is funded by a Mote Postdoctoral Fellowship, the National Science Foundation, the FL Protect Our Reefs license plate, and the National Park Service. She hopes to continue to conduct research that will help preserve an ecosystem in peril, coral reefs. Dr. Muller received her undergraduate degree in 2003, her Master of Science degree in 2007, and her Ph.D. in 2011 from Florida Institute of Technology. She has worked for the US Geological Survey, the National Park Service, and taught High School Science in Brevard Public Schools.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 12:00-12:20 Group Session: Make a Bigger Difference with a Better Message Presented by Deb Kerr, YouthMuse Americans believe teens are more knowledgeable about the environment. Americans see themselves as green but don’t know what actions to take. You have an amazing opportunity to recommend action on behalf of wildlife and waterways. Using great information from The Ocean Project, which has asked the public about its opinions and has studied what messages work best, this session will put some easy tools into your hands. You can be more persuasive and more effective in activating family, other young people and older adults to make a difference for the ocean and for communities.

12:20-1:10 Lunch While enjoying your lunch, continue to finalize the details of your ocean conservation project action plans, and take time to network with other youth attending the summit as well as the representatives from local environmental organizations!

“We believe that as kids we’re the next voters, we’re the next decision makers, and the next generation that’s going to be making a difference on our planet.”

- Bindi Irwin, 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit video message

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Afternoon Workshops: 1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1: Building A Grassroots Organization Casey Sokolovic, founder of Help Them L.A.S.T. - Love A Sea Turtle, will provide a historical prospective on the development and growth of Love A Sea Turtle and lead the session through an exercise to help develop your own project and define your mission. Biologist Leah Connell will complete the session with a water conservation project. About the Presenters: Casey Sokolovic is 16 years old from Greenville, North Carolina. She founded Love A SeaTurtle after seeing sick and injured turtles on a 3rd grade field trip to a sea turtle hospital. She runs cross country, enjoys baking, reading and scuba diving, and loves science. Casey believes that in order to make a difference, you must BE the difference.

Leah Connell graduated from East Carolina University with a Masters in Biology. She is the Camp Director for Love A Sea Turtle's summer camp program, The Upstream Downstream Connection. Leah teaches biology courses at local community colleges, serves as a nature interpreter for a science and nature center, and loves all wildlife creatures. A favorite quote of Leah's is "When the last tree is cut down, the last fish eaten, and the last stream poisoned, you will realize that you cannot eat money."

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1: EarthEcho Expedition: Into the Dead Zone EarthEcho Expedition: Into the Dead Zone allows young people to join Philippe Cousteau and the EarthEcho International team on a 7-day journey investigating the connections between our daily actions and the global threat of aquatic dead zones. Utilizing the video segments from Into the Dead Zone as a model, this session will enhance participants’ abilities to create and utilize video and other visual media as a platform for education. We will explore how video elements are one of the most powerful ways to explain the impact of an environmental issue and/or develop support for solutions. We will examine some of the available tools the EarthEcho team has used to create, edit, and share video and leave the session with a simple script for a video project. About the Presenter: With ten years of experience in science education and marine science, Stacey Rafalowski has invested a career in improving the way learning happens. Prior to joining EarthEcho International, she devoted six years to building school and community support around innovative programs that integrate environmental education, civic agency, and service-learning in Charleston, S.C. She continues to build networks of support for formal and informal educators to enhance learning strategies around STEM education and empower young people to take action in their communities. Stacey began her work with educators while working on her graduate degree in Marine Biology through a National Science Foundation GK-12 teaching fellowship. Her journey in education began by connecting classroom teachers and research scientists to foster collaborative partnerships around developing curriculum that brought marine science to life by engaging students in true scientific inquiry and discovery. When not engaging her own young daughter in discovering the wonders of the S.C. coast, Stacey enjoys taking an active role in local efforts around sustainability and youth engagement, serving on the steering committees of the Carolina Green Fair and Tricounty Youth Service Day in Charleston, S.C.

“The future that humanity will inhabit is dependent on what you do. On the actions that you take every day.”

- Philippe Cousteau, EarthEcho International Co-Founder and President 2011 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit video message

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1: Grant Writing 101 No matter what type of work you plan to enter into in the future, or what type of ocean conservation project you wish to start, it's most likely going to need a little or perhaps a lot of money to get started and that's why an important skill to acquire is one of grant writing. In Grant Writing 101 you'll gain insight into why grant writing is an important skill to have and use. You'll also get a chance to get guidance on filling out our 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Mini Grant, as during this workshop you'll have a chance to start working on the actual application form that will allow you to gain funding for the ocean conservation project you work on during the summit. About the Presenter: Ellen VanDernoot, Mote Marine Laboratory’s Director of Grants, writes and assists with grant proposals for all three divisions of Mote: Research, Education and Aquarium. She brings three decades of skills to Mote from the nonprofit world and the business world – in business development, project management, marketing and strategic planning. Earlier, Ellen had a varied career that fell mainly into two categories, management consulting and Asian art and architecture. For ten years, she worked for Ernst and Whinney (now Ernst and Young), one of the world’s largest professional services and accounting firms, as a management consultant. She also worked for the Museum of Asian Art, the Freer Gallery of Art and the Arthur M. Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian Institution, the Association for Asian Studies, the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia and in the Foreign Policy Division of The Brookings Institution. She has traveled extensively, particularly in Asia.

“It takes both the heart and the head to make a difference.” - Julie Scardina

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Ambassador 2011 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit keynote

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1: Finding Hidden Treasures: How to Get Support For Your Project In this session, you will learn how to do internet research to find potential sponsors. You’ll also learn tips to successfully communicate and will leave with a useful step-by-step process that you can use. Bring your IPAD or smart phone. About the Presenter: CJ Reynolds has 20 years of experience working for private industry, associations and universities to develop partnerships and funding for education and outreach programs that address complex scientific issues. CJ has created more than 30 education programs and national media relations campaigns and served on many consumer information task forces. Since 2008, Reynolds has focused on coastal environmental topics. At University of South Florida, she works with faculty and organizations to enhance marine science programs, and currently coordinates a National Science Foundation funded project on municipal resiliency and adaptation planning. Prior to moving to Tampa, she lived in Chicago and was the Director of the Education Division for Silliker, Inc., the leading global food safety company and Director of Consumer PR for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. She has a B.S. in Journalism from Northern Illinois University and studies environmental science and policy at USF in her spare time.

1:10-1:55 Workshop Session 1: Great Films Can Change the World Tapping into the power of visual media to help save the ocean In this session with Debbie Kinder, Founder & CEO of the BLUE Ocean Film Festival will provide insights and tips applicable to both the beginning filmmaker and the seasoned professional on fundamental elements that are critical for creating a powerful video that gets audiences’ attention while educating and inspiring them to become better ocean stewards. About the Presenter: Debbie Kinder is an award winning documentary filmmaker, an ocean conservationist and the Founder of the BLUE Ocean Film Festival & Conservation Summit (BLUE). The film festival & conservation summit is an internationally acclaimed event dedicated to showcasing the world’s best ocean films and brings together global leaders in conservation, marine science and visual media for a ground-breaking multi-disciplined gathering focused on protecting the ocean.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2:00-2:45 Workshop Session 2: All Session 1 Workshops repeat, except Grant Writing 101 Art in Action As you carry out ocean conservation projects, there are a variety of strategies you can use to spread your ocean conservation messages to your community. Through this panel format workshop, you’ll hear from people of all ages who use all forms of art including painting, photography, and videography, to inspire others to take action to protect our planet’s marine ecosystems. About the Panelists: Ryan Sobel: Artist Ryan Sobel was born and raised in a suburb just outside of Cleveland, Ohio. He has always had an interest in nature and the arts. His love for art began with simple pencil sketches. As a child, frequent trips to the zoo and parks near his home became routine; with pencil and sketchbook in hand, he would arrive back home with a plethora of doodles and drawings depicting the various wildlife he had encountered each day. As a child, he actually disliked painting. He saw it as sloppy, and for a while, stuck to pen and pencils. Until one day, something compelled him to give this new art a try. Soon, he had fallen in love with his paints and brushes, leaving behind his sketchpad for canvas; painting nature and wildlife native to his home and from around the world. Having always been a wildlife painter, he began by painting the creatures he saw in books, later painting those which had inspired him during real life experiences. Ryan wanted to combine his two great passions, the ocean and art, into one, in hopes of inspiring others to care about the planet we live on. So, he began to paint scenes inspired by the world which lies beneath the waves. His artwork brings awareness to the beauty, yet fragility, of our seas to people living near the coasts, as well as those living inland, some hundreds of miles from the nearest ocean. Ryan seeks to show others the world as he sees it; for in his words, “If I can lead someone to see beauty in mere dyes and brushstrokes on a canvas, then possibly they will see that this fascination is real; just waiting to be discovered by each and every one of us everywhere around us.”

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

About the Panelists:

Jim Abernethy Jim Abernethy, award-winning underwater photographer, filmmaker, and author, is a pioneer in shark encounters, without a cage. Starting at a young age, scuba diving served as an inspiration for his life's mission as a conservationist and has enabled him to interact with some of the most notorious sharks. For decades, he has been running photography/video expeditions to engage with the world's largest predatory sharks-Abernethy pioneered shark encounters without a cage (day and night) with tiger sharks, great hammerheads, oceanic white tips, bull, and lemon sharks. It should be noted that Jim is best known as an extremely passionate crusader for their protection. His award-winning marine life images are often featured in top photography magazines such as Wetpixel and Nature's Best Photography. Jim lives at sea, in the Bahamas, running shark expeditions and wild dolphin encounters year round on his boat, "Shear Water." His dive business, Jim Abernethy's Scuba Adventures Inc., is based in West Palm Beach, FL. Abernethy has hosted many of the world's top nature filmmakers and magazines such as Imax, National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Animal Planet, and the Discovery Channel. He owns the "Marine Life Art Gallery" in West Palm Beach, FL, where his captivating images and educational books are available. When he's not below sea level, Jim is often seen piloting his flying inflatable boat (ultra-light), "Oversear," in order to capture nature at sea with his lens from an aerial perspective. While Abernethy is well known as a photographer and passionate conservationist, it's his unique ability to bring divers up close to some of the world's largest predatory sharks, turning them into strong passionate ambassadors to save them, which sets him apart from all others. His relentless pursuit of his life's mission is to save the planet's ocean creatures, starting with sharks, through his photography, books, films, and presentations.

“Never doubt that one person can make a difference.” - Jim Abernethy 2012 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit keynote

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit About the Panelists: George C. Schellenger

George C. Schellenger is a two-time Emmy award winner with more than 20 years experience in television and content development. He’s worked with leading media and technology brands across the United States from Time Warner to Microsoft (even NASA). At Microsoft, he helped launch MSNBC.com. At Time-Warner, he consulted for National Geographic, The Weather Channel, CBS, CNN, ABC, The New York Times, The Associated Press, Reuters – even Robin Leach. He’s been an adjunct professor at the University of Missouri‘s School of Journalism and even served as Director of Content for the X PRIZE Foundation, working to give away $2MM in a lunar-lander prototype competition. He served as a producer for TEDxUSC, the

original TED spinoff. With Dr. Guy Harvey and the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, he's produced and directed a series of highly-acclaimed ocean conservation films, making a difference a global scale. He is also a board member of Operation Blue Pride, a nonprofit organization taking severely wounded veterans diving to help them recover from the trauma of war. In 2013 he published his first book, Not Because It's Easy, an adventure story paying tribute to Project Apollo. Scott and Karen Lamberson Scott and Karen Lamberson have a deep love for the ocean and its inhabitants. They are avid supporters of the South Florida Science Museum and Coast Ecology. The Lambersons have lived on the coast of Florida for the past 25 years raising their family of 4 boys and a variety of pets. An intense love for animals, the ocean and science led Karen on a creative quest to create the perfect character for a series of children’s educational books – one which would ultimately aid our ailing oceans. As an Art Teacher of 15 years, with a knack for ‘out of the box’ thinking, a pivotal decision was made when it came to the main character of her most recent book series- the character would be an adorable shark and an educational one at that. Now enter Karen’s husband who dreamed up the name, Professor Clark the Science Shark. Thus through Karen's most recent writing endeavor, a finned Professor was launched to life.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 2:50-3:35 Workshop Session 3: 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 Carole’s passions ever since she was a young girl living in London, England. Her move to Jamaica and her high school art teacher’s influence further cemented her decision to become an artist, but not yet an art teacher. That decision came after receiving an associate’s 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.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 2:50-3:35 Workshop Session 3:

Upcycle for green style: Make laptop bags, cool tops and shopping bags out of old Ts How many T-shirts do you have? Now, how many do you need? Don’t throw those old Ts out. Bring the old, the ugly and the unflattering to this session and make something new, useful, styling and—best of all—good for the planet. We’ll use some cut and knot techniques that require no sewing—and we’ll try a couple simple sewing and cutting projects. We’ll also use some fabric paint and stamp techniques to brand our creations as green or to make existing clothes funky cool. About the Presenter Deb Kerr is founder and executive director of YouthMuse, which advocates for youth engagement and jumpstarts youth-led, museum-based campaigns for change. Current campaigns include One With Nature, www.facebook.com/onewithnatureteenz, a joint project of Lincoln Park Zoo and Chicago Botanic Garden, which focuses on teens recommending appropriate environmental action in an urban setting; Seattle Aquarium’s Puget Sound: We Love You, www.facebook.com/psweloveyou, inspiring love and conservation of Puget Sound; North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher’s Beach Reach, www.facebook.com/youthbeachreach, bringing beaches back to life, pier to pier and peer to peer; and New York Aquarium’s Project Ripple, www.facebook.com/projectripple, promoting simple choices to help our oceans in big ways. Deb provides consulting in the areas of teen engagement and strategic planning for cultural organizations. During her 17-year career at the world-renowned Shedd Aquarium, she held progressively responsible roles, serving as executive vice president for 11 years. She is a past board member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and past chair and instructor for its Professional Development Committee and management courses, and past chair of the zoo and aquarium committee for the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. She teaches museum management for Northwestern University, serves on the board for the Merit School of Music and on the National Wildlife Federation’s Great Lakes Leaders Council, and is a member of the American Alliance of Museums. She is a frequent guest speaker on issues related to museum relevance, teen empowerment and activating the public for social good. Deb encourages all young people to join the private Facebook group Youth Port, a gathering place for youth to connect for ocean conservation and post, ask questions, comment and recommend. Youth Port is hosted by The Ocean Project and YouthMuse. Kerr is pronounced car.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit 2:50-3:35 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 Presenter: 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.

2:50-3:35 Workshop Session 3: 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 20 years old, from Sarasota Florida and is currently studying Political Science and Communications at the University of Florida. Jared was involved for 10 years as a 4-H member in Florida, where he participated in a variety of projects and leadership programs. During high school Jared interned at two television stations, and even hosted his own monthly television show in Sarasota. In his free time, Jared enjoys traveling and attending political events. Jared looks forward to one day going to law school and even pursing a political career.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

2:50-3:35 Workshop Session 3: Research Track: "Mark Me, Match Me"

Come learn all about the techniques scientists use to identify individuals in wild populations and how you can estimate population sizes using mark-recapture techniques. Kim Bassos-Hull will highlight her experiences studying dolphins and spotted eagle rays in coastal waters. Participants will then get to do a mock capture, tag, release and recapture activity and then estimate their own population size.

About the Presenter: 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 master’s 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.

3:40-4:25 Workshop Session 4: Repeat of Session 3 Workshops

4:30-4:40 Call to Action Message 4:40-5:00 Closing Remarks/Youth Ocean

Conservation Team/Evaluations 5:00 Ice Cream/Networking Social (optional) Join your fellow conference participants at an end of the day ice cream social and make connections with other youth and adults who are passionate about marine conservation work!

Can’t wait for the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit?

Join the discussion in advance online!

On Facebook: “Like” our page at: facebook.com/stowitdontthrowit

Use social media to share your comments and questions in advance and during the summit with the hashtag: #YOCS13 Visit our website at:

www.yocs.org

Join us for the Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival! Friday, November 15th, 2013

On Friday, November 15th, join us before the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit for the second annual Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival! This event will feature a screening of the film Operation: Blue Pride, which tells the moving story of how three severely wounded, combat veterans are fighting to save our oceans and sharks, and in doing so, are saving themselves. This event will also highlight the work of young people in the field of ocean conservation through a screening of student created ocean conservation short films, and exhibits highlighting youth-driven ocean conservation projects. Special guests, Justin Riney, Founder and Executive Director of Mother Ocean will join the event to share his experiences leading Expedition Florida 500, a 365 day exploration of Florida’s coastline, waterways, and aquatic ecosystems, along with Jim Abernethy and George C. Schellenger of Operation Blue Pride. Attendees will also have the chance to participate in a silent auction/raffle fundraiser with the chance to bid on marine themed artwork and other items. Proceeds will support youth-driven ocean conservation projects. Tickets to this event are $12 for adults and $6 for youth and can be purchased at: www.yocs.org. The event will take place in Mote Marine Laboratory’s Immersion Cinema. Doors open and silent auction/raffle fundraiser, as well as student conservation project showcase begins at 6:00pm. Ticket proceeds fund mini-grants for youth driven ocean conservation projects planned at the 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit! A portion of proceeds will also benefit Operation: Blue Pride.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition Are you an aspiring filmmaker? Is there an ocean conservation issue that you want to share with others? We’re calling all students in grades K-12 to take part in our 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Film Competition!

This competition provides you with the chance to highlight an ocean conservation issue that’s relevant in your home town, make a short video to raise awareness about a conservation project, or film a public service announcement encouraging people to protect our planet’s oceans. The possibilities are endless – just use your creativity! Winning films will be screened at Mote Marine Laboratory as part of our Community Ocean Conservation Film Festival on Friday, November 15th and winners will also receive great prizes! Visit www.yocs.org to download the contest rules and video submission instructions! Good luck!

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Location and Directions

The 2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit will be held at Mote Marine Laboratory’s Keating Marine Education Center. Mote Marine Laboratory is located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236. Below are directions to Mote from a variety of Florida cities.

FROM BRADENTON: Take US-301 south to Fruitville Rd. Turn right on Fruitville Rd. and go approximately 2 miles until it dead ends at US-41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41 and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE. ***OR*** Take US-41 south (North Tamiami Trail) following the signs to Sarasota. While on US-41, PASS Sarasota-Bradenton airport, Ringling School of Art and Design, and Fruitville Rd. At the next light, Gulfstream Avenue, (past Fruitville Rd.) turn right. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE. FROM FORT MYERS/NAPLES: Take I-75 north to Exit 210 (Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Rd. west approximately 6.5 miles until it dead ends at US-41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41 and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE. FROM ST. PETERSBURG/CLEARWATER: Take I-275 south over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to I-75 south to Exit 210 (Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Rd. west approximately 6.5 miles until it dead ends at US-41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41 and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE.

FROM TAMPA: Take I-75 south to Exit 210 (Fruitville Road). Take Fruitville Rd. west approximately 6.5 miles until it dead ends at US-41 (North Tamiami Trail). Turn left onto US-41 and turn right at the next traffic light, Gulfstream Avenue. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE. FROM VENICE: Take US-41 (South Tamiami Trail) north (to the Sarasota bayfront) and turn left onto Gulfstream Ave. See FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE. FROM GULFSTREAM AVENUE Continue over the Ringling Causeway Bridge to St. Armand's Circle (approximately 2 miles). Enter St. Armand's Circle, making your first right onto Boulevard of the Presidents North following the signs to Longboat Key and Mote Aquarium. Approximately one mile from St. Armand's Circle, just before the drawbridge to Longboat Key, turn right onto Ken Thompson Parkway.

2013 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit Overnight Accommodation Options

LaQuinta Inn & Suites – Sarasota

1803 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234 Phone: 1-941-366-5128 Fax: 1-941-953-4322 Special rate of $89.10 + tax per night for standard rooms with 2 double beds if you make a reservation by October 25th, 2013! Up to four people per room. Special rate applies for the nights of Friday, November 15th and Saturday November, 16th. Be sure to call-in your reservation and mention you’re with the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit in order to receive the discount!

____________________________________________________________ Groups of youth and adults traveling from out of town may also consider learning more about local ecosystems in the area by camping at one of the following state parks. For campground information/reservations visit: www.floridastateparks.org

Oscar Scherer St. Park 1843 S. Tamiami Trail Osprey, Florida 34229 (941)-483-5956

Myakka River St. Park 13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, Florida (941)-362-6511