2026 LEEF Conference Wakulla Wild: Full Schedule

8:00am EDT

Conference Check-In & Coffee

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

WEI Dogtrot

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
WEI Dogtrot

9:30am EDT

Sustainability Fellows: Applied Research Benefitting Community Partners

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am EDT

WEI Dogtrot

The Sustainability Fellows program provides an opportunity for students of any discipline to participate in furthering sustainability efforts on the FSU campus and in the Tallahassee community. Sustainability Fellows can be selected from any major or field of study. Fellows work in collaboration with campus and community partners to actively engage in research, propose strategies, and identify opportunities for sustainability issues.

Speakers

Holly Smith

FSU Sustainable Campus

Holly Smith (she/her) is the Sustainability Manager at FSU Sustainable Campus. She oversees all Sustainable Campus programming as well as environmental metrics. She was previously a middle school science teacher and her favorite part of her job is the education and community buil... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:30am - 10:20am EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Full Session

Presentation Style Traditional Presentation
Strand Sustainability, Environmental Education General
Audience Formal Educators, Informal Educators/Environmental Education Providers, Secondary (6-12), Post-Secondary

5:30pm EDT

AI use in environmental education: Do ecological values really matter?

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

WEI Dogtrot

As environmentalists, our goal is to engage in activities that improve the well-being of the environment and promote the conservation and preservation of natural resources. If environmentalists use AI, it raises important questions about whether this use aligns with their ecological values. Using correlation and regression analysis, I investigated how the ecological values of environmentalists influence their use of AI. Results will answer the question: “How environmentalists’ perceived usefulness of AI and their familiarity with AI's environmental impacts predictive factors of their AI usage?”.

Speakers

Caleb Nyatuame

University of Florida

Caleb Atsu Nyatuame is a PhD student in Interdisciplinary Ecology at the University of Florida. His previous research examines how teacher educators, especially in Ghana, incorporate environmental issues and place-based education into their teaching practices. Caleb is currently doing... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Research Poster Session

Presentation Style Panel Discussion, Research/Evaluation/Case Study
Strand Environmental Education General, Data Science/AI/AR/Computer Science
Audience Formal Educators, Informal Educators/Environmental Education Providers, Pre-service Educators, Post-Secondary

5:30pm EDT

Immersive Green Spaces: A 3D Virtual Tour of the USF Botanical Gardens as an Interactive Resource for Environmental Learning

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

WEI Dogtrot

This poster showcases how geospatial technologies and immersive media can enhance environmental education. Using high-resolution 360° imagery and virtual-tour software, the USF Botanical Gardens were captured and transformed into an interactive virtual experience. Visitors can navigate the gardens and click embedded buttons that link directly to the USF Plant Atlas, providing authoritative information on featured plant species. The tour serves as a dynamic teaching and outreach resource: it allows students, researchers, and the public to explore Florida’s diverse plant communities anytime, while deepening understanding of native ecosystems.

Speakers

Denise Wright

University of South Florida

Denise Wright, MA, is a GIS Analyst with the University of South Florida Libraries Digital Initiatives Unit. She holds a Master’s Degree in Geography, is a certified GIS Professional (GISP), and is licensed as an FAA Part 107 drone pilot. Denise specializes in integrating geospatial... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Research Poster Session

Presentation Style Research/Evaluation/Case Study
Strand Environmental Education General
Audience Formal Educators, Informal Educators/Environmental Education Providers, Secondary (6-12), Post-Secondary
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5:30pm EDT

Stormwater Outreach

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

WEI Dogtrot

Content is created each month to educate the campus community on various ways they can positively impact stormwater systems and keep our watershed free of pollutants. Presenters will explain their research, collaboration with partners, and methods of communication.

Speakers

Holly Smith

FSU Sustainable Campus

Camila Campos Lam

Camila worked as the Sustainable Campus Graphic Designer for a year while she completed her Bachelor's degree. She is now working toward a Master's in Urban and Regional Planning, but she still works for us as a Stormwater Liaison and collaborates with our partners to create content... Read More →

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Research Poster Session

Presentation Style Traditional Presentation
Strand Sustainability, Environmental Education General, Environmental Stewardship
Audience Formal Educators, Informal Educators/Environmental Education Providers, Early Childhood Educators, Elementary (K-5), Secondary (6-12), Pre-service Educators, Post-Secondary

5:30pm EDT

Urban Forestry Exploration Camp: Opening Doors for Youth

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

WEI Dogtrot

This week-long summer camp is designed to introduce youth to and help them discover the world of urban forestry and related green industry jobs, through engaging, educational programming. The camp provides upper elementary and middle school youth experiences to explore the importance of forestry and urban trees for health and community benefits, the importance of nature being part of our cities, and the camp will inspire a new generation of urban forestry stewards.

Speakers

Elise Cassie

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Research Poster Session

5:30pm EDT

Youth Development Through Immersive Conservation Research in the Tropics

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT

WEI Dogtrot

Brevard Zoo’s Puerto Rico expedition empowered teen volunteers through hands-on conservation research, real-world field experience, and mentorship from scientists, strengthening their environmental stewardship, teamwork, and interest in conservation careers while gaining new transferable life skills.

Speakers

Jen Katona

Brevard Zoo

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:30pm - 6:00pm EDT
WEI Dogtrot

Research Poster Session

8:00am EDT

Morning Coffee & Networking

Sunday March 29, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT

WEI Dogtrot

Sunday March 29, 2026 8:00am - 8:30am EDT
WEI Dogtrot

10:30am EDT

Educational Farm Walk: Sustainable Growing, Animal Integration, and Orchards

Sunday March 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT

WEI Dogtrot

*NEW Session
Walk with us at the farm and learn about sustainable agriculture, various growing methods, and animal integration with fruit production. WEI, our conference host site, will go over the educational farm which includes a farm field, orchard, greenhouses, a catfish pond, chicken run, solar classroom and more!

Speakers

Henry Gwynn

Instruction and Project Coordinator, Wakulla Environmental Institute

Henry Gwynn is Wakulla Environmental Institute's Project Coordinator and teaches the Small Plot Farming and Entrepreneurship course.

Sunday March 29, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
WEI Dogtrot

8:00am EDT

9:30am EDT

5:30pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

5:30pm EDT

8:00am EDT

10:30am EDT

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