By 约炮视频 Staff
Published December 23, 2024
This article is from 约炮视频 Florida
. 约炮视频 has 30 conservation action centers and more than 500 community and campus chapters across the U.S. serving local communities. Find your local center or chapter here.
Each fall, the Conservation Leadership Initiative (CLI) brings together 25 Florida college students and 25 约炮视频 chapter mentors to foster future conservation leadership. The program kicks off at the 约炮视频 Assembly, an event that immerses participants in 约炮视频鈥檚 mission over the course of three days. The 2024 theme, 鈥125 Years of 约炮视频 in Florida,鈥 highlighted the organization's pioneering conservation efforts, starting with work in the Everglades and extending to its modern-day leadership in Florida鈥檚 environmental initiatives.
Key components of the program included a special meet-and-greet with 约炮视频's Chief Conservation Officer, Marshall Johnson, offering valuable insights into national conservation efforts. Students also took part in a field trip to the Marine Discovery Center, where they toured the bird and sea turtle hospitals and enjoyed a bird walk at Ponce Inlet Beach.
In addition, CLI students participated in curated learning sessions, including a career panel with 约炮视频 staff and a leadership development session. Afterward, they rejoined the larger Assembly to network with environmental leaders, chapter members, and government officials, further expanding their connections within the conservation community.
This event marked the beginning of the students鈥 yearlong CLI experience.
Over the next several months, they will continue to work with their mentors in local 约炮视频 chapters, further immersing themselves in Florida's conservation efforts, building professional skills, and forging lasting connections within the environmental network.
"My experience with the 约炮视频 Florida Assembly was absolutely unforgettable. I learned so much from people across all branches of the organization. The field trips were incredible, from seeing injured sea turtles being rehabilitated to searching for elusive Florida Scrub-Jays. It was an incredibly enriching experience, and I had the chance to talk and connect to everyone鈥攆rom directors to volunteers鈥攁ll of whom were eager to share their stories and experiences, making it a truly welcoming environment. Made some really cool friends and met so many inspiring people along the way." 鈥 Shazad Baig, Broward College