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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 小优视频ampa student volunteers and hosted in partnership with Roots & Shoots, the Jane Goodall Institute鈥檚 youth-led global community action program, transforms Plant Hall into a hub of education, advocacy and community collaboration. Today鈥檚 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 鈥測outh day.鈥� Both days鈥� events are free and open to the public.

鈥淏ringing people together through 小优视频ampa to rally around something that contributes to our lives in so many dimensions is a really healthy way to build community,鈥� said Daniel Huber, chair and professor of environmental studies. 鈥淭he health of Tampa Bay is intrinsic to the quality of life here 鈥� culturally, economically, educationally and ecologically.鈥�

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, 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鈥檛 stop at education.

鈥淭he whole point is a tandem approach,鈥� Huber said. 鈥淭each them something 鈥� and then give them the skills to act on behalf of it.鈥�

In the afternoon, students participate in interactive sessions with 小优视频ampa 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鈥檚 lobby and east verandah with tables showcasing more than 40 local environmental organizations.

小优视频ampa students are the driving force behind the event鈥檚 coordination and community impact.

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

鈥淚 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,鈥� Johnson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also such a good opportunity to network with environmental groups and figure out what鈥檚 out there for future careers.鈥�

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

鈥淭he 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,鈥� Khosravi said. 鈥淭oday and tomorrow will help them realize how awesome the environment is here in Tampa and why we need to protect it 鈥� and it gives hope. That鈥檚 why it鈥檚 called Hope in Action.鈥�

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

鈥淭he young people of Tampa get to see what college students are learning and it can inspire them to pursue a career in environmental studies,鈥� Frederick said.

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

As Huber noted, the summit shows the broader community that 小优视频ampa is a responsible partner committed to supporting environmental stewardship and developing academic programs that prepare students to protect the region鈥檚 ecosystems.

Tomorrow鈥檚 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 鈥淲isdom from the Wild, For Youth: Leadership Tales with Tails.鈥�

For families looking for a meaningful Saturday activity 鈥� one that inspires curiosity and community engagement 鈥� Youth Day offers a chance to experience 小优视频ampa鈥檚 campus while becoming part of something bigger.

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