2025 Youth Ocean Conservation Summit

Event check in starts at 9 a.m.

Empowering the next generation of ocean conservationists

Around the world, our ocean and its inhabitants face many challenges. As human impacts continuously threaten the health of our marine ecosystems, both locally and globally, it is imperative that we involve youth in a campaign to solve these problems.

The Youth Ocean Conservation Summit, launched in 2011 and held annually at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Florida, as well as satellite locations around the world, provides youth participants the opportunity to learn from marine scientists and conservationists about current threats facing marine ecosystems, both locally and globally.

Through the event, participants are also inspired by their peers — youth leaders who are taking immediate action leading projects to protect the ocean. Attendees then collaborate with peers and mentors to develop action plans for their own ocean conservation projects. Workshops offered at the summit allow participants to gain the skills necessary to successfully implement conservation projects, teach participants about career opportunities in marine conservation, and expose them to opportunities they can take part in to help protect our planet’s oceans and their inhabitants.

For more information: www.yocs.org

• Cost: $30 (includes all summit sessions, lunch & a YOCS 2025 shirt) – admission to SEA is not included, but can be purchased at a discounted rate during registration.

Note: Groups of students attending together may be accompanied by an adult mentor, but adults may not attend on their own.

Workshop Tracks 

• As Above, So Below: Coastal and Benthic Environments
• Blueprints of the Blue: Ocean Tech & Life Support
• Pathways & Portraits: Youth Leadership & Biological Illustration

Cancellation policy: Cancellations made before October 31st will be refunded in full. Due to the extensive time, facility coordination efforts, and planning involved, no refunds will be issued for cancellations made after October 31st.