2026 JEPB-UNF Environmental Symposium
Registration Now Open!!
.png.aspx?width=300&height=375)
After review of the 2024 rescheduled event, the Symposium Planning Team decided to change the schedule from a fall event to a spring event. We hope that this change works for everyone. We anticipate that pricing for the event will remain the same. More information on what we have planned for the event is shared below. We look forward to having you join us in February!
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.
2026 SYMPOSIUM SCHEDULE - Tentaive as of October 10th (pdf)
NEW EVENT!
Thursday Evening Citizen Night
We’re kicking off the symposium with a special Thursday evening event at The Jessie (Jessie Ball duPont Center) in Downtown Jacksonville. This intimate session is designed specifically for neighborhood organizations and community leaders—providing tools, insights, and inspiration to strengthen grassroot environmental stewardship.
What to Expect
Join us for an evening dedicated to helping you understand, protect, and improve the environment you live in. You'll get to engage directly with city personnel, environmental experts, and community leaders who will show you how to use resources to identify and fund projects in your own neighborhood.
The event will be set up with various stations where representatives will speak on different environmental topics. Attendees will make their way around the stations learning how to:
· identify environmental hazards and assets in their neighborhood
· what the Resilient Jacksonville Plan means for citizens
· how to build a rain barrel and plant Florida Friendly Landscaping
· what should not go down your drain at home
· how to identify grant funding for neighborhood associations embarking on environmental projects
· how to recycle the right way
· and what work the COJ Environmental Quality Division is doing to protect Jacksonville’s resources.
This is your chance to turn ideas into action and help shape the future of your community. Come learn how to protect the places you love and find the resources to make it happen.
Limited Participation
The event is free to attend, but is limited to 100 attendees. Ideally, groups will send one, or two representatives to gather information they can then share with others. We specifically want to be sure that a few youth groups are involved as well.
Spots will fill up fast, so be sure to register today.
Thursday Citizen Night Registration
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 will have over 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.
.png.aspx?width=250&height=254)
Past Symposium Information and Proceedings