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Beneath the soaring minarets of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, hundreds of young environmental stewards are gathering today and tomorrow with one goal: to turn hope into action.

The 2026 Hope in Action Environmental Summit and Expo, run by UTampa student volunteers and hosted in partnership with Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute’s youth-led global community action program, transforms Plant Hall into a hub of education, advocacy and community collaboration. Today’s High School Environmental Summit welcomed students from across the Tampa Bay area. Tomorrow, the energy continues as upper elementary and middle school students and their families arrive for “youth day.” Both days’ events are free and open to the public.

“Bringing people together through UTampa to rally around something that contributes to our lives in so many dimensions is a really healthy way to build community,” said Daniel Huber, chair and professor of environmental studies. “The health of Tampa Bay is intrinsic to the quality of life here — culturally, economically, educationally and ecologically.”

The structure of both days of the summit reflects that philosophy. The morning opens with a keynote speaker. Today, speaker Jasmin Graham, president and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences, issued a call to inclusive conservation leadership.

Students then move through workshops led by professionals from organizations across the region, from ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium to Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and Keep Pinellas Beautiful.

But the summit doesn’t stop at education.

“The whole point is a tandem approach,” Huber said. “Teach them something — and then give them the skills to act on behalf of it.”

In the afternoon, students participate in interactive sessions with UTampa Roots & Shoots leaders and community partners, identifying issues they care about and creating tangible action plans they can bring back to their schools and communities. An Environmental Expo caps the experience, filling Plant Hall’s lobby and east verandah with tables showcasing more than 40 local environmental organizations.

UTampa students are the driving force behind the event’s coordination and community impact.

The UTampa Roots & Shoots chapter, led by Kylie Johnson ’26, a marine science major, has worked closely with the Tampa Bay Roots & Shoots Basecamp to help organize volunteer and community partner efforts.

“I just get excited to see a bunch of people at our school who love volunteering and are excited to get out there and learn new things,” Johnson said. “It’s also such a good opportunity to network with environmental groups and figure out what’s out there for future careers.”

One of the volunteers, Annette Khosravi ’27, an environmental studies major, believes the event’s power lies in its inspiration.

“The summit is going to inspire so much passion and environmentalism in young students, especially when they have us college students to hear from and look up to today,” Khosravi said. “Today and tomorrow will help them realize how awesome the environment is here in Tampa and why we need to protect it — and it gives hope. That’s why it’s called Hope in Action.”

The theme of inspiration also resonated with student volunteer Meghan Frederick ’26, a marine science major. She emphasized how exposure to this field can impact future academic and career paths.

“The young people of Tampa get to see what college students are learning and it can inspire them to pursue a career in environmental studies,” Frederick said.

Through tabling, assisting with campus tours run by the Office of Admissions and serving as ambassadors for the environment, UTampa students demonstrate what community engagement looks like in practice. UTampa is not only hosting the event — it is modeling leadership.

As Huber noted, the summit shows the broader community that UTampa is a responsible partner committed to supporting environmental stewardship and developing academic programs that prepare students to protect the region’s ecosystems.

Tomorrow’s Youth Environmental Action Summit opens the doors to upper elementary and middle school students and their families from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Plant Hall, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Students and parents can participate in educational activities held by local experts and hear from keynote speakers Julie C. Henry and Tasman Henry, authors of “Wisdom from the Wild, For Youth: Leadership Tales with Tails.”

For families looking for a meaningful Saturday activity — one that inspires curiosity and community engagement — Youth Day offers a chance to experience UTampa’s campus while becoming part of something bigger.

Beneath the soaring minarets of Plant Hall at the University of Tampa, hundreds of young environmental stewards are gathering today and tomorrow with one goal: to turn hope into action.

The 2026 Hope in Action Environmental Summit and Expo, run by UTampa student volunteers and hosted in partnership with Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute’s youth-led global community action program, transforms Plant Hall into a hub of education, advocacy and community collaboration. Today’s High School Environmental Summit welcomed students from across the Tampa Bay area. Tomorrow, the energy continues as upper elementary and middle school students and their families arrive for “youth day.” Both days’ events are free and open to the public.

“Bringing people together through UTampa to rally around something that contributes to our lives in so many dimensions is a really healthy way to build community,” said Daniel Huber, chair and professor of environmental studies. “The health of Tampa Bay is intrinsic to the quality of life here — culturally, economically, educationally and ecologically.”

The structure of both days of the summit reflects that philosophy. The morning opens with a keynote speaker. Today, speaker Jasmin Graham, president and CEO of Minorities in Shark Sciences, issued a call to inclusive conservation leadership.

Students then move through workshops led by professionals from organizations across the region, from ZooTampa and the Florida Aquarium to Tampa Bay Waterkeeper and Keep Pinellas Beautiful.

But the summit doesn’t stop at education.

“The whole point is a tandem approach,” Huber said. “Teach them something — and then give them the skills to act on behalf of it.”

In the afternoon, students participate in interactive sessions with UTampa Roots & Shoots leaders and community partners, identifying issues they care about and creating tangible action plans they can bring back to their schools and communities. An Environmental Expo caps the experience, filling Plant Hall’s lobby and east verandah with tables showcasing more than 40 local environmental organizations.

UTampa students are the driving force behind the event’s coordination and community impact.

The UTampa Roots & Shoots chapter, led by Kylie Johnson ’26, a marine science major, has worked closely with the Tampa Bay Roots & Shoots Basecamp to help organize volunteer and community partner efforts.

“I just get excited to see a bunch of people at our school who love volunteering and are excited to get out there and learn new things,” Johnson said. “It’s also such a good opportunity to network with environmental groups and figure out what’s out there for future careers.”

One of the volunteers, Annette Khosravi ’27, an environmental studies major, believes the event’s power lies in its inspiration.

“The summit is going to inspire so much passion and environmentalism in young students, especially when they have us college students to hear from and look up to today,” Khosravi said. “Today and tomorrow will help them realize how awesome the environment is here in Tampa and why we need to protect it — and it gives hope. That’s why it’s called Hope in Action.”

The theme of inspiration also resonated with student volunteer Meghan Frederick ’26, a marine science major. She emphasized how exposure to this field can impact future academic and career paths.

“The young people of Tampa get to see what college students are learning and it can inspire them to pursue a career in environmental studies,” Frederick said.

Through tabling, assisting with campus tours run by the Office of Admissions and serving as ambassadors for the environment, UTampa students demonstrate what community engagement looks like in practice. UTampa is not only hosting the event — it is modeling leadership.

As Huber noted, the summit shows the broader community that UTampa is a responsible partner committed to supporting environmental stewardship and developing academic programs that prepare students to protect the region’s ecosystems.

Tomorrow’s Youth Environmental Action Summit opens the doors to upper elementary and middle school students and their families from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Plant Hall, 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. Students and parents can participate in educational activities held by local experts and hear from keynote speakers Julie C. Henry and Tasman Henry, authors of “Wisdom from the Wild, For Youth: Leadership Tales with Tails.”

For families looking for a meaningful Saturday activity — one that inspires curiosity and community engagement — Youth Day offers a chance to experience UTampa’s campus while becoming part of something bigger.