We have the tools to build a sustainable future, what we need is the will to get it done. That’s where youth organizing can be so powerful. It gives a voice to those of us who will inherit the consequences of today’s decisions. It shows young people everywhere that we’re not alone in this effort. Together, we have the power to create our own, brighter future. – Brice Claypoole
Studies show that youth participation in sustainability is vital to achieve long-term sustainability1. Future decisions are often fueled by values instilled from a young age2. Because youth are future decision makers, it is a top priority in the sustainability community to ensure youth understand the importance of sustainability for the well-being of our planet and population. Not only will today’s youth play a large role in the future of sustainability, but they already are playing a large role! Young people contribute new ideas, improve optimism, and give key insights into the world of sustainability.
In Sarasota County, there are many exciting opportunities for youth to participate in environmental stewardship and sustainability initiatives to contribute to a brighter future for our local region.
Local Youth Leading Change
In anticipation and celebration of this year’s 20th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop, join us 7:30 p.m. Sept. 25 for a special evening featuring the 2025 PBS documentary “Good Natured” by filmmaker Ashley Stokes, followed by a youth panel discussion on environmental solutions. Presented in partnership with The Bay, WEDU PBS, and EarthEcho
International, this event highlights fresh perspectives on sustainability across Florida. This film, followed by the panel, will show us all why it is important to invest in the future of sustainability and how youth play this pivotal role. Click here to register for this free community event!
The panelists are local youth who are active leaders in sustainability and stand as a beacon of hope for the future of sustainability.
Brice Claypoole
Brice Claypoole, known as “The Kid Who Cares”, truly embodies youth sustainability involvement in Sarasota County. Brice is an award-winning nature photographer, naturalist, writer, and environmental activist. He is a board member for Suncoast Waterkeeper and leads a youth water sustainability advocacy club, Kids for Clean Water. Brice will be speaking on the youth panel following the showing of the “Good Natured” film. Brice became interested in sustainability at a very young age after writing an article asking the public to donate funds to save Orange Hammock. After receiving an outpouring of support, he realized the impact he can have as a young person. Although he finds advocating for environmental policy to be his most impactful work, hands-on work is what Brice enjoys the most.
I can’t describe how fun it is to join restoration projects in nature. I’ve helped with trash clean-ups, native plantings, oyster restoration, and seagrass monitoring. I’ve met amazing friends and mentors at these events and had great adventures in nature.
Brice is a strong believer and advocate for youth participation in sustainable initiatives. To any youth interested in sustainability, Brice says to stay hopeful and believe in the power you have to create change in your community.
Nothing shows how much power we have more than seeing our own communities becoming better because of the efforts we’ve put in.
Coco Claypoole
Coco Claypoole is a young scuba diver on a mission for more! She leads a teen dive clean-up club, Bubbles of Hope, working to remove litter from local waters. On top of leading this amazing organization, she is active in SCUBAnauts, a teen marine science education program, and was selected as a global ambassador for Manta Trust, a manta conservation group. Coco focuses on the little things and knows that in the end, it makes a large impact. She believes it is important for youth to be active in sustainability because they are the ones ultimately inheriting the planet.
We are the ones who need the world in the future and should be preparing it to be healthy and still able to support us.
Jake Grandusky
Jake Grandusky is a member of the Youth Leadership board for Sarasota Baywatch, a local non-profit which contributes to wildlife nourishment, cleanup efforts, and ecosystem development. He enjoys participating in these events to meet like-minded individuals while making a positive impact on his community. His love for the environment was passed down to him at a young age from his father. Jake is grateful to live in a state that is home to some of the most unique landscapes in the country, but believes youth play a pivotal role in protecting these ecosystems.
Due to the rapid land development in the state of Florida, it’s essential for youth to become the next generation of leaders in an ever-changing environmental landscape.
By investing the right time and resources into hand-on experiences for young people to become passionate about sustainability, we can open more doors for leadership opportunities. Between school clubs, non-profits, and community organizations, Jake believes there is room for all youth to get involved with sustainability. We are excited to have Jake as a panelist at the Good Natured film showing, to speak more on how to be involved.
Local Youth Sustainability Initiatives
Rather than focusing on personal sustainability, studies show efforts are more effective when youth combined their time and talents with one another3. By integrating science, community, and culture youth organizations and initiatives maximize local impact1.
If you’re looking to make a more direct, hands-on impact, become involved in your own community locally, through volunteer work, either at school or with non-profits. The outdoors community in the state of Florida stretches far and wide, so by doing some quick research, one can easily become a part of this vast, passionate family. – Jake Grandusky
Interested in youth participation in sustainability? There are many ways for young people to have meaningful impacts, right here in Sarasota County!
Sustainable Communities Workshop Youth Showcase
At the 20th Annual Sustainable Communities Workshop, set for Nov. 06, the organizing committee will be featuring work from young people (ages 22 and under) in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The showcase will feature youth projects that promote sustainability, environmental stewardship, community resilience, and natural beauty! These projects can range from art, science, or community-based projects and will be featured on a rotating slideshow throughout the event. Some examples of what a submission for the showcase could look like include an image of created artwork, a one-pager on a student-led project, a photo of a science project, or photo of a student club’s community service project.
Submissions can be completed by a student, parent, mentor, coach, or teacher, please submit any work for the showcase using the submission form: http://tiny.cc/SCWYouthShowcase.
Sarasota County 4H
Sarasota County 4H is a community-based educational program delivered through UF/IFAS Extension and is open to youth ages 5 to 18. 4-H uses a learn-by-doing approach to help youth gain the knowledge and life skills they need to be productive, responsible citizens. A key component of 4-H is having youth give back to their community. Past projects include the youth county council organizing an action project around pollination and helping to purchase and plant pollinator trees to compliment the UF/IFAS Extension pollinator garden. To learn more about 4-H clubs or work with a 4-H club contact 4h@scgov.net or https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/4-h-youth-development/4-h-youth-development/4-h-clubs/.
Explore school groups
One of the best ways to participate in sustainability initiatives as a young person is to join various environmental, art, or science clubs at your school. Reach out to teachers and leaders about opportunities and if none exist, consider starting a club or program!
Mote Marine Teen Volunteer Program & Junior Educators in Training
The Teen Volunteer Program (TVP) offers students the opportunity to facilitate Interpretation Stations throughout the Aquarium, or as teaching assistants with the Education Department.
Mote’s Junior Educator in Training Program (JET) is designed for students who are interested in educating youth and designing engaging lessons about ocean conservation topics. JETs will work alongside camp staff, college interns, and volunteers to create a fun and inclusive environment for our campers. You can inspire the next generation of scientists, conservationists, and educators by engaging in hands-on activities and more!
Youth Ocean Conservation Summit
The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit is held annually at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL. Youth participants of all ages from upper elementary to college and invited to participate. With opportunities to learn from experts in marine conservation to collaboration workshops with fellow youth leaders, this event is great for all youth interested in local sustainability initiatives. The 2025 Summit will be Nov. 15. Visit YOCS.org for more information on how to register.
Sarasota Bay Watch
Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Cohort follows the school year but accepts applications year-round. This program, designed for high school students, encourages youth to participate in marine debris cleanup, shellfish and vegetative restoration, and outreach activities. Students will gain leadership skills, community service hours, and a greater understanding and appreciation of marine stewardship. Apply to be a youth leader here.
Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Bay Guardians Volunteers
The Sarasota Bay Guardians volunteer program engages people of all ages in ongoing efforts to restore Sarasota Bay. Sarasota Bay Guardians volunteers have donated thousands of hours to support the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program’s mission. Click here to learn more about volunteering as a Bay Guardian.
Keep Sarasota County Beautiful
Keep Sarasota County Beautiful (KSCB) is a county-wide beautification program that initiates community cleanup projects to help keep our community free of litter. To learn more about volunteering with Keep Sarasota Beautiful, click here.
- A Review Of The Contribution Of Youth To Sustainable Development And The Consequences Of This Contribution (August 2022). Journal of Positive School Psychology. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Bosco-Ekka-4/publication/362412901_A_Review_Of_The_Contribution_Of_Youth_To_Sustainable_Development_And_The_Consequences_Of_This_Contribution/links/62e8f5094246456b55033065/A-Review-Of-The-Contribution-Of-Youth-To-Sustainable-Development-And-The-Consequences-Of-This-Contribution.pdf.
- Environmental Values (November 2005). Annual Review of Environment and Resources. DOI:10.1146/annurev.energy.30.050504.144444.
- Healthy Communities, Healthy Youth: How Communities Contribute To Positive Youth Development (1993). https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/healthy-communities-healthy-youth-how-communities-contribute.
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