2026 JEPB-UNF Environmental Symposium
Mark your calendars for Friday, February 13th for our 2026 symposium!
After review of the 2024 rescheduled event, the Symposium Planning Team has decided to change the schedule from a fall event to a spring event. With that decision, we will not have our regularly scheduled October event this year. We are about to launch the planning process, so stay tuned for more information to come. We anticipate that pricing for the event will remain the same.
Look for registration to open in mid-November.
Objectives of the Symposium
Too often, community leaders focus on the issues of today, instead of clearly visioning the future. As an aid to seeing the path to the future, the City of Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board (JEPB) and the University of North Florida Institute of Environmental Research and Education annually present the Environmental Symposium. The symposium brings together residents, government agencies, utilities and innovators in a forum designed to foster an atmosphere of cooperation in environmental achievement. In addition to opening, lunch and closing general sessions, there are breakout sessions on topics of interest.
Background and Information
Each year the symposium presents a unique opportunity for members of the community to interact with the regulatory agencies responsible for developing and implementing environmental policy. Attendees have an opportunity to better understand environmental goals for our community. The symposium provides valuable opportunities for communication and helps to further the goal of protecting our limited natural resources and improving the quality of life in Northeast Florida.
2026 Symposium Agenda
We have finalized the sessions for the symposium, however we are still finalizing the participants. Below is the schedule for the event. New this year will be a Thursday evening session. This activity will be focused specfically for neighborhood organizations and will be limited in size. It is being developed to help them gain information needed to empower them to enhance environmental stewardship.
Symposium Keynote Speakers
We are excited about our keynote speakers for the symposium. They will be sharing information and insights on topics that are sure to be of interest.
Opening Session Keynote Speaker
Ashantae Green - COJ Sustainability Officer
Our Opening Session will feature a keynote from the City of Jacksonville's first Sustainability Officer, Ashante Green. She will be sharing background and information about the Northeast Florida Regional Comprehensive Climate Action Plan.
Symposium Luncheon Keynote Speaker
Jothsna Harris - Change Narrative
Jothsna is the founder of Change Narrative, which exists to build capacity in the climate justice movement through the power of our stories. Through a coaching practice, Jothsna works with front-line activists, legislators, artists, organizations, and community groups to craft climate narratives to advocate for solutions. Specifically centering voices excluded from mainstream media, climate discussions, and decision-making. With over a decade of experience, Jothsna has designed and implemented award-winning climate change programs rooted in community, centering personal stories and other values-based ways that resonate, coaching thousands of people to find compelling narratives to share at live events, on radio, and in print media. Jothsna led the creative process and co-edited the 2020 book, Eyewitness: Minnesota Voices on Climate Change, is the Producer of the 2022 MN Fringe Festival ‘Venue Pick’ show Changing the Narrative: Climate Stories for Justice, and the recipient of the 2023 Creative Climate Communications Award from the Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership. Jothsna is named a 2023 Obama USA Leader, as part of a cohort of 100 changemakers across the Nation working to strengthen democracy. Jothsna currently serves on The Great Northern Festival Board of Directors.
Jothsna will be participating in our Thursday evening session, provide the keynote for Friday's luncheon and will also be featured in the closing session.
EXHIBITS
One of the highlights each year is the prescence of our exhibitors. We anticiapte having at least 30 organizations join us again this year. These companies, nonprofits and governmental agencies share valuable information about them, details on environmental projects they are involved with and share ways for you to be involved. We appreciate them for the knowledge they bring and the support they provide to the symposium.
SYMPOSIUM PARTNERS
We sincerely appreciate the support of these organizations who have stepped up to provide addiditional financial support to the symposium. Because of them we are able to produce the event at a reasonable cost.
Past Symposium Information and Proceedings