Environmental Symposium

Attended by AIP Graduate Students and W.I.L.D. Teens

Each fall semester, our Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) first-year graduate students take an Environmental Stewardship: Florida Sustainable course where they learn about all things sustainable in the greater Duval county. As part of their Conservation Biology coursework, students participate in experiential learning days at the Zoo and in the community to learn from experts in the conservation field. As part of the Environmental Stewardship course, students engage in sustainability efforts at grassroots, corporate, municipal and non-profit levels. They focus on environmental concerns in Northeast Florida and what efforts are being implemented to mitigate these issues.

As part of the AIP course, students attend the annual Jacksonville Environmental Protection Board’s Environmental Symposium at the University of North Florida’s campus where they are exposed to various projects taking place around Duval county and network with community professionals in the field. This October, keynote speakers included city officials such as Jacksonville’s first Resiliency Officer, Anne Coglianese. She shared plans and assessments of the City's ability to withstand various threats and how the coastal Southeast is vulnerable to facing a changing climate, such as sea-level rise. Additionally, local research scientist and professor Dr. Gerry Pinto presented the State of the River report, which outlines the health of the Saint Johns River with timely data compiled from scientists working in various disciplines. In addition, grassroots level work was showcased in breakout sessions, including one session by the Zoo's very own W.I.L.D. (Wildlife, Inclusion and Leadership Development) Program, a teen program that employs at-risk teens in Jacksonville in the education department. The W.I.L.D. Program’s high school seniors, along with several community partners (including Groundwork Jacksonville, Timucuan Ecological Preserve and Saint John’s Riverkeeper) shared their experiences with community-based conservation initiatives and how partnerships can strengthen our efforts and reach in the environmental field.

Learn more at: jacksonvillezoo.org/AIP