Co-founder Justin Grubb presenting the keynote presentation for the 2022 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit held at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida.
DELIVERING THE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION
On December 10th, Ocean leaders from around the state of Florida and around the world gathered to connect and learn from one another on what it means to build a sustainable future for the oceans. Kicking off the event, Running Wild Media’s very own co-founder Justin Grubb delivered the keynote speech titled “Speak for the Fishes: giving the ocean a voice.” This talk dove into what events in Justin’s life inspired him to get info science communication, why it is important in conservation, and how summit participants all have a special voice and superpower they can use to save the world. The presentation ended on how hopeful Justin is for the future and how the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit in itself is a special community of supporters who are all there for one another.
DEEP DIVE MEDIA LAB
For a select few Summit participants, the opportunity to go through media training was provided by Running Wild Media. Each participant went through training on how to find an audience, how to communicate, technical skills relating to using video and photography, and each workshop participant walked away with their very own video to help share their message with their community to support their ongoing conservation work. Each participant had a conservation project they were already working on, and this media training aimed to help support that work.
This video was produced by one of the Deep Dive Media Lab participants.
MORE ABOUT THE YOUTH OCEAN CONSERVATION SUMMIT
Around the world, our ocean and its inhabitants face many challenges. As human impacts continuously threaten the health of our marine ecosystems, both locally and globally, it is imperative that we involve youth in a campaign to solve these problems. The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, launched in 2011 and held annually at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL, as well as satellite locations around the world, provides youth participants of all ages (upper elementary-college) the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about current threats facing marine ecosystems, both locally and globally.
Through the event, participants are also inspired by their peers – youth leaders who are taking immediate action leading projects to protect the ocean. Attendees then collaborate with peers and mentors to develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects. Workshops offered at the summit allow participants to gain the skills necessary to successfully implement conservation projects, teach participants about career opportunities in marine conservation, and expose them to opportunities they can take part in to help protect our planet's oceans and their inhabitants. Throughout the year, Summit alumni are connected to the global Youth Ocean Conservation Team – connecting them to other youth and adults around the world who are dedicated to taking action to protect the ocean and resources to help support their ocean conservation projects.
Learn more here about the Youth Ocean Conservation Summit.