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UNF Environmental Student Symposium

Annual event every spring to showcase the community projects completed due to the valuable partnerships between student scholars and community partners. The UNF Environmental Student Symposium provides the opportunity for attendees to enjoy lite bites, talk with our students, view project posters and hear more about the amazing things happening with the Environmental Leadership Program, the Youth Environmental Leadership Program and the Institute.

The Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) provides undergraduate students from any major a scholarship to complete leadership training and implement a community-based project in Northeast Florida. The goal of the program is to create the next generation of environmental leaders. 

The Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) provides high school students pre-collegiate experience to complete community-based environmental projects. The focus of YELP is for youth to connect other youth to nature.

Dr. Largo-Wight presenting student of year award to Klesia in front of UNF logo background.
Dr. Largo-Wight giving open remarks in front of the podium at the symposium.
ELP student presenting poster to attendee.
Community Partner raising hand during applause given at ELP Symposium.
ELP student presenting his poster to a community partner at the symposium.
Assistant Director, Kelly Rhoden speaking at the podium during the ELP Symposium.
ELP student presenting her poster and project to a Community Council member.
Brazos Barber sitting at table listening to presentation at ELP Symposium.
Dr. Largo-Wight pictured standing next to ELP student that just received green cords for graduation.
ELP student explaining environmental project by pointing out poster elements to attendee.

Community Partners

Thank you to our community partners!

Donors

Thank you to our supporters!  The ELP has been made possible through the longstanding generous support of the Cummer Family Foundation, Felburn Foundation, and the IERE Community Council. Special thank you to JEA for sponsoring a past UNF Environmental Student Symposium.

Logo of Felburn Foundation. A green forestry hat with nature pictured on the rim and preserving nature. Felburn Foundation is written on a white ribbon around the top.
Logo of JEA with tag line building community included below.

Past Student Award Winners

Headshot of student of the year, Kate, with a nature backdrop.Kate was awarded Environmental Leadership Program Student of the Year. She exemplified what it means to be a leader. Her strong work ethic and passion for the environment provided her with the tools needed to be a successful project leader as she partnered with the National Park Service at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve. She monitored phytoplankton at Kingsley Plantation collecting water samples, identifying algae, and sending the findings to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) tracking to provide a better understanding of the health of our local waterways. Kate presented her project at the 2025 UNF Environmental Student Symposium.

Headshot of student, Ella, with a nature backdrop.After careful consideration, by business and environment leaders, the “Black Creek Crayfish Monitoring” poster submitted by Ella in partnership with US Fish and Wildlife Service was awarded Poster of the Year at the 2025 UNF Environmental Student Symposium.