UNF: Youth Environmental Leadership Program

Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YELP) is a year-long, pre-college program at the University of North Florida (UNF) Institute of Environmental Research and Education focused on developing high school youth into environmental leaders. Students learn about environmental science, stewardship, work with a UNF mentor, connect with community partners and complete a project focused on increasing nature contact and access. Nature contact and access to green space is a growing area of importance in environmental science and studies. Public health, urban planning, conservation, land use, biology, psychology, and public policy contribute to the study and promotion of nature contact. Research shows that nature contact, or just spending time outdoors in nature, promotes health and reduces stress. We will explore this science providing the YELP leaders with the opportunity to participate in initiatives related to promoting nature contact and nature access.

Meet the 2025-2026 Youth Environmental Leaders

Eliza Hutton

Fletcher High School, Advanced International Certificate of Education (A.I.C.E.) Program

Hi, my name is Eliza Hutton and I’m an AICE junior at Fletcher High School. I decided to join the Youth Environmental Leadership Program because I grew up spending time outdoors and my love and interest in nature have continued to grow as I got older. I always have found spending time outside gives me a needed mental health boost, and I want to encourage more people my age to gain more nature contact so they can experience similar effects. I am excited to learn more about the environment and use my knowledge to connect with and create an impact on my community.

Headshot of Nitin standing outdoors with trees behind him. Nitin Mali

The Bolles School

Hello, my name is Nitin Mali, and I am a Junior at the Bolles school involved in the Pawsitive Change Club as Vice President. I decided to join YELP as I work closely with the Blue Zones Jacksonville Project that aims to help Jacksonville communities live better, longer, and healthier lives. I want to promote nature contact for senior citizens and be involved with a community engagement effort that focuses on the benefits of the outdoors and the prevention of disease. I volunteer as an Ambassador for Blue Zones Jacksonville and am starting a cardiology-focused nonprofit called Cardiology USA. My interest in healthcare is prompted by my interest in science like biology, physics, and environmental science. I am extremely excited to use the skills, mentorship and knowledge I gain through the YELP program to connect with our community about the prevention and management of diseases through increasing nature contact.

Headshot of Kumud with trees behind her. Kumud Maurya

Stanton College Preparatory School, International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Program

Hi, my name is Kumud Maurya, I am a senior at Stanton College Preparatory High School in the IB program. I decided to join YELP because of my interest and passion for the environment. I spend a lot of time pondering and acting upon ways in which I can spread awareness about the environment and be a leader by helping my community better interact with nature and the environment. I have founded and am leading Project Ecora, an initiative dedicated to my efforts with the environment. My favorite subjects in school are math and science and a fun fact about me is that my name means “Lotus” in Hindi. I am excited to learn more about the environment and really expand my own insights of nature and the environment, which will help me understand my purpose with Project Ecora and help me develop an increased appreciation of the environment.

Headshot of Kylie standing outdoors with trees behind her. Kylie Meier

Stanton College Preparatory School, International Baccalaureate (I.B.) Program

My name is Kylie Meier, and I'm an IB student at Stanton College Prep. I am a part of my school’s track and cross-country team. I have been raised in a family that is constantly outdoors (sports and leisure) and seeing what other YELP students have done inspired me to join the program with the hopes to gain experience in environmental engagement and help others understand and appreciate nature.

Headshot of Nikhil standing outdoors with trees behind him. Nikhil Reddy

The Bolles School

Hi, my name is Nikhil Reddy. I am a senior at the Bolles School with a passion for environmental science and its relevance in the greater Jacksonville area. I chose to join the Youth Environmental Leadership Program to pursue my interests in environmental and natural sciences while positively impacting the Duval County community through nature exposure and citizen science opportunities. I developed an interest for all things nature-related through my hobby of birding — a recreational activity that I hope to transform into a tool to unveil the benefits of nature exposure alongside the importance of its preservation.

Program Details

YELP is a merit-based award program designed for (rising) juniors, with preference given to IB students. The program will require approximately 100 hours over the year (starting and ending in June) and provides a structured pathway for students to complete their CAS projects or other community-based service projects focused on environmental issues and topics in Jacksonville. This is the first year of the program and we expect to accept 4-5 top high school students into YELP.

Outcomes and Requirements

YELP Scholars will commit approximately 100 hours over the course of a year (June-June) to environmental leadership and environmental studies and science development. Students will work with UNF Institute of Environmental Research and Education and with a community partner on the following: pre-college experience, environmental science/studies education and development, environmental leadership training and development, service and support of projects and initiatives, individual project development and implementation, and mentorship.

Program Overview

Environmental Pre-College Experience at UNF

An orientation, for the 2025-2026 cohort, was held on June 2-3 at UNF. YELP students came to UNF to learn about environmental leadership, sustainability, and physical and social science. The opportunity to meet IERE environmental professors, students, and environmental community leaders, while becoming more knowledgeable about UNF was provided.

Environmental Leadership UNF Training Course

Complete IERE Environmental Leadership training course online and receive certificate. This is an online training course you can complete in approximately 10 hours.

Environmental Science and Studies UNF Training Course

Complete IERE Environmental Sustainability 101 course online and receive certificate. This is an online training course you can complete in approximately 10 hours.

Environmental Campus and Community Service

Volunteer and support environmental initiatives with IERE and or a community partner.

Environmental CAS Project Development and Implementation

Students will develop and implement their CAS (or community-based service) project with UNF. This project will likely build off service work. Projects should meet an organizational need and CAS requirements, and hopefully be consistent with the student's personal and academic goals.

Professional Development and Workshops

There are planned communication and development meetings to ensure student success over the course of the. year. These meetings are more frequent (weekly) earlier in the program over the development phase in the summer. These meetings can be scheduled on Zoom. Once the project is identified, meetings will be tailored based on need. There is also a required workshop in March on campus.

UNF’s Environmental Leadership Symposium

In April, YELP students will develop a poster presentation summarizing their CAS project and impact. YELP students are required to attend and present their poster at UNF's Environmental Student Symposium on Friday, April 17, 2026. Please communicate with your school to ensure that this will be recognized as an excused absence. UNF students will also be presenting their work at the Symposium as well. The Symposium is attended by approximately 150 people (IERE professors, IERE students, environmental community partners, donors, and guests). The YELP and UNF student presentations will be a conference-style poster presentation session. YELP and UNF students will also be recognized with an award and cords for graduation at the symposium.

Mentoring

The last two months of the program (in May and June), YELP students will complete evaluation criteria focused on the impact of the experience on their personal and professional growth for UNF, as well as debrief with their community organization. In addition, YELP students are expected to attend the first day of the Environmental Pre-College Experience at UNF for the incoming class of YELP students and share their experience. This will take place in early June.
Benefits
- Competitive, merit-based award for top high school students in NE Florida
- Avenue to complete CAS (or other service learning) project
- Pre-college experience at UNF
- Training in environmental science/studies and environmental leadership and certificates of completion
- Networking with environmentally-focused UNF staff, professors, and students, community partners, community leaders, other high school students and scholars
- Award presented at UNF Environmental Symposium
- Graduation cords presented at UNF Environmental Symposium
- Present CAS project (poster presentation) at UNF Environmental Symposium
- Opportunity to mentor next year’s YELP high school scholars
Evaluation Criteria and Selection Process

Applications are closed for the 2025-2026 school year.

The application process includes the opportunity to describe your academic achievements and merit to date, interest in environmental science and or studies related to nature contact and access, and your interest in joining the UNF Youth Environmental Leadership Program and serving as a YELP Scholar. A list of professional or academic references that we may contact will need to be included. Applications will be evaluated by UNF professors, staff, and IERE Community Council members based on academic merit, community and relevant experiences, and the idea to address the priority area. Admission is merit-based and highly competitive. IERE excepts only five students in Northeast Florida will be selected for this year-long program. Awardees will be required to sign an agreement form, indicating they can attend the highlighted dates in person.

For questions, please feel free to contact our Program Coordinator at environment@unf.edu.