Join us as we gather at the 2025 LEEF Mini-Conference on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at  UF/IFAS Austin Cary Forest Campus in Gainesville, Florida to share best practices in PreK12 education, learn new Environmental activities, explore professional development opportunities, and discover exciting new research! 

Step 1:   Register for the conference here.

• Check out more about the conference site, UF/IFAS Austin Cary Forest Campus, here.   

Vegetarian and regular lunch options are included in your registration fee. If you have strict special dietary needs, feel free to bring your own.

Schedule Overview 

Friday, March 21, 2025

1:00 - 3:30 PM Pre-Conference Climate Session

Dive deeper into collaboration and action on climate education with Florida Gulf Coast University.  

Thanks to the NOAA B-WET grant, REGISTRATION is FREE and includes the next day LEEF Mini-Conference on Saturday, March 22nd from 8:30-4:30pm. Must be present for both days. Lunch is included. 

The Climate Educators Network and its associated project -- including a collaborative website for climate education and sustainability initiatives -- are nearly ready to be launched. But before we share it with the rest of the world, we want your feedback from across the state.

Space is Limited. To received the special registration code, contact LEEF Admin, leef.florida@gmail.com OR FGCU contact Maddie Aadnes at tnoh13@gmail.com 

Saturday, March 22, 2025

8:30 AM                          Conference Registration Check-In 

 

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM     Welcome & Concurrent Sessions

 

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM     Lunch 

1:00 PM - 4:30 PM       Concurrent Sessions

4:30 PM                        Conference concludes

Schedule is subject to change as we get closer to event date. Stay tuned for more updates on presenters!

If you have conference questions or seeking financial scholarship assistance to attend, please contact conference chairs at past.president@leef-florida.org or our  leef.florida@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Presenter & Session Information

Stay tuned for more details on presenters!

Sponsors and Partners

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.  Click Here for Sponsorship Levels

Hotels & Directions

Hotels In the Area:

Best Western Waldo Inn & Suites

17230 NE US Highway 301, Waldo, Florida 32694           6.3 miles

Best Western Starke

1290 N Temple Avenue, Starke, Florida 32091                 19.6 miles

Hampton Inn and Suites Gainesville – Downtown         

101 SE 1st Ave, Gainesville, FL 32601.                              9.9 miles

Driving Directions:

From I-75 Southbound: Take Exit 390 (FL-222/NW 39th Ave) East (almost 10 miles) to Waldo Road. Turn left (North); approximately 6 miles later, you’ll see a sign on the right-hand side indicating the Austin Cary Forest.

From I-75 Northbound: Take Exit 382 for FL-121/FL-331/Williston Road and turn left (North). Travel for 14.5 miles (approximately 20 minutes). Austin Cary Forest is on your right.

From I-10: Take Exit 343 (US 301) south. Continue south for approximately 36 miles through the cities of Starke and Waldo. At the exit for Gainesville, bear right onto FL-24/SW 4th Blvd/NE State Rd 24 Westbound and continue for 4 miles. Turn left at Austin Cary Forest.