Saturday September 12, 2026
8:30am – 5:00pm
Environmental Learning Center
Vero Beach, FL
A free, one-day assembly bringing together young people to study the problems facing the Indian River Lagoon — and leave with real plans to fix them.
And we need you!
This assembly is open to youth grades 7-12 who live, study, work, or spend time in the Indian River Lagoon watershed — which stretches along 156 miles of Florida’s Atlantic coast through Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Okeechobee, and Palm Beach counties.
You don’t need a science background. You don’t need prior activism experience. You do need to care about where you live and be willing to work alongside others who feel the same. Whether you’re a reader, a surfer, an artist, an athlete, or someone who has simply noticed that something feels wrong with the water — this assembly was built for you.
What to expect…
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Orient & Immerse
Arrive with curiosity. We’ll provide background materials, maps, and data to bring every participant up to speed on the major challenges facing the lagoon — from water quality and pollution sources to habitat loss and restoration science. No prior knowledge required.
02
Learn from the Field
Hear directly from scientists, conservationists, educators, and local advocates who are doing active restoration and research work. These aren’t just lectures — speakers will be available for real conversation and Q&A throughout the day.
03
Work in Small Groups
The heart of the assembly. You’ll join a small group focused on a specific challenge area — pollution reduction, habitat restoration, community education, or policy engagement. Groups are facilitated so every voice is heard, not just the loudest ones.
04
Build Action Plans
This is not a “thoughts and feelings” exercise. Each group will develop concrete, achievable action items that youth participants can actually carry out — in their schools, neighborhoods, and online communities — to contribute to restoration, protection, and education.
05
Present & Commit
Groups share their action plans with the full assembly. You’ll leave with a network of peers who care, a set of real commitments, and connection to the organizations and resources that can help you follow through.
What we ask…
This event is free — but it’s not casual.
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Attend for the full day. The assembly is designed as a complete arc — arriving late or leaving early limits what your group can accomplish together.
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Come prepared to engage. Review the orientation materials we send you beforehand so you can hit the ground running.
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Participate actively. Small-group work only succeeds when every person contributes. You don’t need to be an expert — you need to show up with your perspective.
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Follow through on at least one action item after the event. Real change is the point.
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✦ There is no registration fee. All materials, facilitation, and speakers are provided. We simply ask for your full presence and genuine effort.
✦ We require a letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, volunteering supervisor, or other supervisor. We don’t care about your grades, but we do want to know about your character, maturity, work ethic, and ability to thrive in a group setting.
Thank you to our sponsors!
The 22nd Indian River Lagoon Steering Committee
Dr. Laura Wilson, Marine Resources Council
Barbara Ford, Environmental Learning Center
Brooke Blosser, Marine Resources Council
Jessica Hernandez, Environmental Learning Center
Missy Weiss, Indian River Neighborhood Association
Julie Schmidt, Cocoa Beach Jr/Sr High School