2026 LEEF CONFERENCE

Wakulla Wild: From Springs to Shore

Teaching and Learning in Florida’s Living Systems

Become a Sponsor!

Interested in supporting LEEF's mission to train educators, bolster community engagement, build collective impact, and continue our efforts in ensuring that environmental education is incorporated into Florida's classrooms? Join us in becoming a conference sponsor. 

Sponsor Packet - Click Here

Thank You to Our Sponsors

Wakulla County Tourist Development Council

VisitWakulla.com

Friday, March 27, 2026

• Registration Check-In
• Workshops (fee-based)
• Field Trips (fee - based)
• Meet & Greet Social 
• Networking

Saturday, March 28, 2026

• Registration Check-In
• Silent Auction
• Concurrent Sessions
• Luncheon
• Poster Sessions
  
• Memorial Tree Planting
• Dinner & Keynote Speaker
• Member Meeting & Awards
• Networking

Sunday, March 29, 2026

• Workshops 
• Concurrent Sessions
• Closing Session
• Networking
• Board Meeting (Post-Conference)

Share Your Voice at the Conference

The League of Environmental Educators in Florida (LEEF) invites educators, researchers, students, and environmental professionals to submit proposals to present at our upcoming LEEF Conference.

This is your opportunity to inspire, connect, and lead by sharing your innovative ideas, successful programs, and effective teaching strategies with the broader environmental education community.

Who Should Submit?

We welcome proposals from:

• Environmental educators (formal, non-formal, and informal)

• Scientists and researchers

• Outdoor and nature-based educators

• Community leaders and youth educators

• Artists, storytellers, and curriculum developers

• Students and emerging professionals

Whether you’re a seasoned presenter or new to sharing your work, LEEF encourages diverse voices and perspectives from across Florida and beyond.

Session Formats

Choose the format that best fits your content:

• Workshop (90-120 minutes): Hands-on, interactive sessions that engage participants.

• Presentation (45 minutes): Lecture-style with Q&A, ideal for sharing research or program highlights.

• Lightning Session (15 - 20 min): Fast-paced presentations designed to highlight key ideas, success stories, or innovative practices. Great for sharing a concise overview, a single project, or sparking interest in a larger conversation.

• Panel Discussion (60 minutes): Collaborative sessions with 2–4 speakers exploring a shared topic.

• Poster Session: Perfect for students or visual displays of research and projects.

• Outdoor Sessions: Field-based or nature-integrated learning experiences.

Suggested Topics

We are particularly interested in proposals that explore:

• Sustainability 

• Innovative environmental education practices

• Climate & Weather

• Place-based education and community partnerships

• Technology in EE, Data Science, AI & Computer Science

• Environmental Civic Action/ Citizen Science 

• Conservation & Restoration

• Environmental policy and advocacy

• Mental Health & Wellness in Nature

• Environmental Stewardship

Don’t see your topic listed? Surprise us—we’re open to fresh, creative ideas!

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab

Sign up for this guided tour led by an extensively trained tour leader.  This tour is approximately two hours in length.  You will begin your adventure with a guided tour of the aquarium, then move outdoors to the Living Dock located in the estuarine waters of Dickerson Bay.  There, the tour guide will demonstrate the fouling community species and intertidal zonation of barnacles and oysters. Participants get to experience hands-on specimen collection from the dock to be identified and viewed up close before being released. 

Gulf Specimen Marine Lab: 222 Clark Dr. Panacea, FL 32346 

Fee-based: TBD

When: Friday, March 27th, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Waters of Wakulla Field Trip

Want to learn more about Florida's fantastic freshwater springs? Join the Waters of Wakulla field trip. This driving tour begins in Tallahassee and ends at Wakulla Springs State Park with four stops in between. Each stop highlights the importance of a unique local water feature and explains the way the features relate to the Floridan Aquifer and Wakulla Springs, an International Geological Heritage Site.

Participants will meet at the Wakulla Environmental Institute, and carpool to the first location where they will park near Cascades Park, Tallahassee and gather nearby with tour guide.  This exciting field trip concludes with a boat tour on the beautiful Wakulla River.

Fee-based: TBD

When: Friday, March 27th, 12:30 pm – 5:00 pm

Wakulla Springs River Boat Tours

Step aboard for an unforgettable journey at Wakulla Springs! This guided river boat tour winds from the crystal-clear springs into the wild beauty of the Wakulla River. Along the way, expert naturalists will share fascinating stories about the area’s unique environment, rich history, and the incredible wildlife that calls it home. Keep your eyes peeled—you may spot alligators basking on the banks, majestic wading birds overhead, or even a gentle manatee gliding through the water. And for fans of classic cinema, this is the same river where scenes from The Creature from the Black Lagoon were filmed!

Each boat ride lasts about 45 minutes and is available rain or shine (except in severe weather). Seating is limited to just 10 spots per group, so be sure to reserve early.

Park Entry Fee: Admission to Wakulla Springs State Park is $6 per carload (not included in the registration cost).

Come ready for adventure—every tour offers something new, and you never know what wonders you might see!

550 Wakulla Park Dr., Crawfordville, FL 32327

Fee-based: TBD

When: Friday, March 27th (2 tour times available)

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Birding Tour

Discover one of Florida’s premier birding destinations with a guided adventure through St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge! From 1:00–4:00 pm, join legendary birder Don Morrow as you caravan down historic Lighthouse Road, where every bend brings new wonders. Together, you’ll explore coastal marshes, pine flatwoods, and tidal flats—prime habitats for an incredible variety of birdlife.

Expect to see wading birds, raptors, shorebirds, and maybe even a few surprises as Don shares his expert knowledge and sharp eye for spotting wildlife. Beyond the birds, soak in the stunning scenery that makes this refuge a national treasure, from wide-open skies to the iconic St. Marks Lighthouse standing tall against the Gulf backdrop.

Whether you’re an experienced birder or brand-new to the hobby, this tour offers a perfect blend of education, exploration, and pure natural beauty. Bring your binoculars, your curiosity, and a sense of adventure—you won’t want to miss it!

1255 Lighthouse Road, St. Marks, FL 32355

Fee-based: TBD

When: Friday, March 27th, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Explore Apalachee Bay and Estuary from the

FSU Marine Lab

Explore Apalachee Bay and Florida’s “Nature Coast” from the FSU Coastal Marine Laboratory (FSUCML). Join ecological educators from the FSU Office of STEM Teaching Activities (OSTA) on a boat trip from the FSUCML into the Bay to explore the varied and fascinating creatures that inhabit the seagrass beds, sandy bottom, and salt marshes and their habitats. Trips will also include macro- and micro-examination of live specimens back at the Lab.  

Fee-based: TBD

When: Friday, March 27th, 8:00 am -1:00 pm

Deadline to Register: February 27, 2026

2025 SPRING MINI-CONFERENCE

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