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2019 Long Island Youth Ocean Conservation SummitThe 5th Annual Youth Ocean Conservation Summit (YOCS) was held on Saturday, November 2nd at the Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge for the second year in a row. This is a favorite event for us at Coastal Steward Long Island as everyone leaves feeling inspired and fueled to get out there and do what they love! The day was full of activities that offered enthusiastic young minds with as much knowledge and drive needed to pursue their own action projects.
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Some Highlights:
The day opened up with Rachel Jones introducing everyone to Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge Center and talking about her experience working as an intern for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service through the American Conservation Experience program. Part of her talk focused on the incredible biodiversity that can be seen around Long Island.
Ben May, a usual at this event, gave a thrilling “4 Talks in 1” presentation on diplomacy, working towards environmental change through policy, tips for submitting your mini-grant, and his organization ThinkOcean. ThinkOcean is a global organization focused on connecting students worldwide to work towards a better future. Ben is also the National Communications Coordinator and Ocean Policy Advisor for the YOCS team.
Students got a lesson on hydrogeology from Nathan Epler, a senior hydrogeologist at Roux Associates. He talked about the importance of and differences between remediation of contaminated lands and preventative measures to take to avoid polluting lands. He also emphasized the importance of becoming an expert in your field and learning as much as you can about that topic.
Ashly Carabetta, the Executive Director for Coastal Steward Long Island spoke about the programs they do, the importance of outdoor educational opportunities, and how to get involved. She also gave the students a pep-talk to let them know that with enough dedication and focus, they can still achieve their goals even when there is a roadbump (or many) along the way.
Participants had the pleasure of listening to Brian Yurasits, a marine conservationist and avid surfer. His presentation highlighted the three most pressing threats facing our world’s oceans - overfishing, climate change, and pollution, while explaining how students can become involved professionally, and personally with local solutions. Brian shared advice that he wished he knew as a student, and provided some great resources for internship and volunteer opportunities.
Among the many important things the students heard that day, Brian stressed that the field of marine conservation is competitive, and that students today need to separate themselves from the crowd by taking advantage of their strengths in additional studies such as business, art, communications, chemistry, engineering, etc.
The last part of the day was where students got to put their thoughts down on paper. Pete Macchia presented information and tips on brainstorming and how to put those ideas down on paper. The students then worked in groups to come up with an environmentally-related issue that was important to them, what they proposed will help it, how they will do it, and what tools they will need. And then – time to present!
Each group gave beautiful presentations of their proposed mini-grant ideas, ice cream was served, and everyone went home inspired, motivated, and smiling ear to ear.
The schools represented that day were: Commack Middle School, Hayground School, Huntington High School, Northport High School, Valley Stream North High School, and Sachem High School North.
We want to give a special thank you to The Dooner - Rockwell Charitable Trust for sponsoring this year’s event and supporting our Marine Education Program.
Ben May, a usual at this event, gave a thrilling “4 Talks in 1” presentation on diplomacy, working towards environmental change through policy, tips for submitting your mini-grant, and his organization ThinkOcean. ThinkOcean is a global organization focused on connecting students worldwide to work towards a better future. Ben is also the National Communications Coordinator and Ocean Policy Advisor for the YOCS team.
Students got a lesson on hydrogeology from Nathan Epler, a senior hydrogeologist at Roux Associates. He talked about the importance of and differences between remediation of contaminated lands and preventative measures to take to avoid polluting lands. He also emphasized the importance of becoming an expert in your field and learning as much as you can about that topic.
Ashly Carabetta, the Executive Director for Coastal Steward Long Island spoke about the programs they do, the importance of outdoor educational opportunities, and how to get involved. She also gave the students a pep-talk to let them know that with enough dedication and focus, they can still achieve their goals even when there is a roadbump (or many) along the way.
Participants had the pleasure of listening to Brian Yurasits, a marine conservationist and avid surfer. His presentation highlighted the three most pressing threats facing our world’s oceans - overfishing, climate change, and pollution, while explaining how students can become involved professionally, and personally with local solutions. Brian shared advice that he wished he knew as a student, and provided some great resources for internship and volunteer opportunities.
Among the many important things the students heard that day, Brian stressed that the field of marine conservation is competitive, and that students today need to separate themselves from the crowd by taking advantage of their strengths in additional studies such as business, art, communications, chemistry, engineering, etc.
The last part of the day was where students got to put their thoughts down on paper. Pete Macchia presented information and tips on brainstorming and how to put those ideas down on paper. The students then worked in groups to come up with an environmentally-related issue that was important to them, what they proposed will help it, how they will do it, and what tools they will need. And then – time to present!
Each group gave beautiful presentations of their proposed mini-grant ideas, ice cream was served, and everyone went home inspired, motivated, and smiling ear to ear.
The schools represented that day were: Commack Middle School, Hayground School, Huntington High School, Northport High School, Valley Stream North High School, and Sachem High School North.
We want to give a special thank you to The Dooner - Rockwell Charitable Trust for sponsoring this year’s event and supporting our Marine Education Program.
Thank you to the following organizations for your participation, donations and support:
YOCS; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; The Dooner-Rockwell Charitable Trust; Student Conservation Association; The Carmens River Environmental Education Center (CREEC); Bernie's Family Pizzeria; Roux; and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge
YOCS; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; The Dooner-Rockwell Charitable Trust; Student Conservation Association; The Carmens River Environmental Education Center (CREEC); Bernie's Family Pizzeria; Roux; and Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge