Sarasota Bay Watch prioritizes youth outreach, environmental education, and hands-on learning. By integrating conservation experiences and leadership development, we shape future marine stewards. Youth are encouraged to participate in all our projects like marine debris cleanup, shellfish and vegetative restoration, and outreach activities. They can gain community service hours through supervised fun and safe educational opportunities. For high school students seeking a deeper environmental experience, we offer a Youth Leadership Program. Our Youth Leadership Cohort follows the school year calendar (August–May), but applications are accepted year-round. Our Youth Leaders play a vital role in teaching an afterschool marine camp for elementary students, fostering a passion for marine conservation in the younger generation.
Youth Leadership ’26 – ’27 Cohort
Click on the images to learn more about our 2026-2027 Youth Leadership Cohorts!
I’m a junior at Pine View, and this is my third year in the Leadership Program. I’m proud of the work I do in coastal conservation with birds and insects. As the Jim Neville Bird Monitoring Project coordinator, I measure the impact of our long term restoration efforts. Outside of SBW, I’m a cellist in the Youth Philharmonic, a bird naturalist with Sarasota Audubon, I run the nature club at my school, and I’m on the RC Car Senior Executive Committee at Fab Lab.
I'm a sophomore at Pine View School and thrilled to be part of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program this year! My interests include playing soccer, diving into a good book, going on long walks, listening to music, and biking. I’m also passionate about STEM and its potential to positively impact the world. Through this program, I look forward to supporting our environment alongside my fellow Youth Leadership Cohorts!
I'm a student at Booker High School, and this is my first year with Sarasota Bay Watch. I have a deep love for nature and spend as much time outdoors as possible. My passion for the environment began at a young age and has remained a guiding force in my life. I also volunteer as a bird naturalist with the Sarasota Audubon Society and am an active member of the Manasota Fossil Club and the Florida Young Birder’s Club.
I’m a junior at Pine View School and a first-year member of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program. My love for nature began with family hikes and exploring Florida’s unique ecosystems, eventually growing into a passion for environmental protection. Outside of this program, I enjoy playing soccer, performing on the violin, volunteering in my community, and exploring the medical field. I’m excited to contribute to Sarasota Bay Watch and help make a positive impact on our local waterways.
I’m a sophomore at Riverview High School and a second-year member with the Leadership Program. My love for the outdoors began in childhood, growing up hunting, fishing, camping, and exploring nature. These experiences sparked my passion for environmental protection and marine life. I enjoy playing football, wrestling, weightlifting, fishing, and giving back to my community. Through this program, I’m excited to help protect our environment and take advantage of the opportunities it brings.
I’m a sophomore at Venice High school and this is my 1st year in the Leadership Program. I am a member of FBLA and Key Club, and I play soccer at Venice Falcons. I am passionate about many things and working with others to help the environment is one. I love traveling, soccer, animals, and meeting new people. I’m very excited to make a difference with SBW this year!
I'm a sophomore at Riverview High School, where I have the privilege of being part of the IB Marine Biology program. This is my first year with Sarasota Baywatch. My passion for marine biology and conservation drives me to learn as much as I can about our oceans and the incredible life within them. In my spare time, I love fishing because it connects me with the environment I am so passionate about. I believe in the importance of protecting our marine ecosystems, and I hope to make a positive impact in the field of conservation in the future.
As a sophomore in the Pre-IB program at Venice High School, I stay active through competitive softball, a proud member of Drug-Free Youth and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. I joined SBW to learn how local action can protect our marine ecosystems. Whether I’m volunteering, attending The Bridge Church, participating in Sarasota Cotillion, or being a big sister to two amazing girls, I’m passionate about living with purpose, integrity, and making a positive impact.
I’m a freshman at Sarasota High, and this is my first year in the youth leadership program. I grew up on St. Simons Island in coastal Georgia and moved to Florida two years ago. I am deeply passionate about protecting the ocean and marine environments here in Sarasota and everywhere else. Outside of the program I enjoy running cross country, reading, hiking, surfing, and scuba diving. I’m very excited to be a part of this program and to get involved in the opportunities it presents.
I am a sophomore at Sarasota High School and this is my first year in the youth leadership program. I am vice president of Sailor Baywatch and part of my school's cheer team. I also enjoy scuba diving, sailing, traveling, snowboarding, being outdoors, and learning about marine life and the oceans. I am so excited to be a part of this program and for the opportunities it will bring me to help the environment!
This is my first year working with the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership program. I am in 11th grade and I attend the Out of Door Academy. I am eager not only to participate in beach clean-ups but also to help teach marine science to elementary schoolers. I am passionate about sustainability, and I plan to study architecture and sustainable design. Outside of school, I enjoy listening to music, working out, and going to the beach.
I'm a sophomore in the IB program at Riverview high school. I have a passion for marine life, environmental science, and engineering. I grew up handling both saltwater and freshwater fish, hence my love of the water and the outdoors. This is my first year on the youth leadership team, I am excited to get started and make a difference. Whether on the water or in the community, I am committed to sustaining the natural beauty and health of our Sarasota Bay.
I'm in 8th grade at Pine View School. Outside of school I do piano and competitive dance. This is my first year doing the Youth Leadership Program and I am very excited about this amazing opportunity. My family has been in Sarasota for many generations, and I have grown up next to the water my entire life. I love volunteering and helping the community, and I'm very glad I can do something hands on with SBW.
I go to school in Manatee County. I love riding horses and compete in English show jumping. I hope to go to school to be a veterinarian in the future. I want to be a part of the Sarasota Bay Watch because I really like marine animals and going paddle boarding. To me the Sarasota Bay Watch sounds like a fun way to see the wildlife and plant life while also being able to learn more about them in an interactive way. Another thing that I really like is that while learning about our environment you are also helping to keep it clean.
I’m a junior in the IB program at Riverview High School and a second-year member of the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership Program. I study Marine Science and enjoy spending time outdoors fishing, swimming, skimboarding, and exploring nature. I run cross-country and track, and I have a deep passion for animals, especially reptiles! I love working to protect wildlife and the environment.
I am a sophomore at Riverview High School, and this will be my first year as a Baywatch Youth Leader. I'm a part of my school's Marine club and Conservation club, and I have always had a love for animals and the environment. Participating in Baywatch's events and other conservation efforts has shown me that my efforts can make a difference, and I'm excited to make a greater impact through this program.
This is my first year with the Sarasota Bay Watch Youth Leadership program, and I am so grateful that I have the opportunity to take part in a program like this. Outside of the program, I have been sailing for 3 years, play the guitar, and love to paint or draw. Part of being a sailor is navigating the waterways and observing the sea life, which drives my passion and love for all marine life. I love helping out and can't wait to see what exciting opportunities appear throughout the year!
I go to suncoast polytechnical high school and I am in 10th grade there. I am part of the Venice High School sailing team and I also volunteer at the Venice Youth Boating Association for summer camps. I also enjoy playing the guitar. Overall, I love the water because there are so many things you can do with it. From swimming to sailing.
I am in 10th grade at Riverview Highschool. I have always had a passion for preserving wildlife and I'm excited to be able to make a hands-on difference through this program. I'm part of marine club at my school and I am planning on being a part of the marine biology IB career path next year. This will be my first year as a youth leader and I am so excited to be able to make a change through this program!
This is my first year with Sarasota Bay Watch, and I can’t wait to see what opportunities, experiences and impacts on the marine environment it will make. I am a student at Riverview High School in the IB program. Outside of the program, I am a competitive swimmer, certified lifeguard, and always in the ocean. I am passionate about our waters and can’t wait to help our marine environment!
I am a rising senior at Riverview High School, IBCP in the marine science pathway, and an active member in my marine club. Ever since sixth grade I've had a passion for learning and caring for our wonderful ecosystems with its variety of unique organisms. I enjoy being a docent at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, learning how to roller skate, swimming, visiting aquariums and zoos, and spending time with family and friends. As I'm looking to pursue a career in zoology, I'm excited to learn and explore! I can't wait to start this new chapter and I'm ready to take on the world around me.
I’m currently a sophomore at Riverview High School and I’ve always been drawn to the outdoors, spending much of my childhood fishing, camping, and exploring. I enjoy being out on the water, whether I’m inshore fishing, scuba diving for sharks teeth, or spear fishing, and those experiences have helped me better understand and appreciate our coastal ecosystems. Outside of that, I stay active through football and going to the gym and I try to stay involved in my community. I’m excited for the opportunity to be part of this program and to play a role in protecting and preserving our local waterways.
I am in the IBCP Marine Science program at Riverview High School and play lacrosse. I enjoy kayaking and looking for seashells. I love the outdoors and cant wait to make an impact in conservation!
I am a rising senior at Pine View School and a competitive swimmer at the Sarasota Sharks. I have grown up in Florida and love to kayak, fish, paddle board, and swim at the beach. I'm passionate about preserving our environment, exploring, learning, and teaching others. I aspire in the future to become an Environmental Engineer and make a difference in the world. I hope to make a positive impact on restoring Sarasota's waters and helping our community by being a youth leader!
I am a senior at Sarasota High School and a dedicated volunteer at Mote Marine Laboratory, where I have grown my passion for marine conservation. This is my first year in the Youth Leadership Program, and I couldn't be more excited to get involved. I play on my school's soccer team and have a lifelong passion for marine biology, with plans to become a marine veterinarian. Growing up on the water has shaped who I am; when I’m not studying, I love fishing, camping, hiking, snorkeling, and surfing. I am looking forward to participating in restoration projects and cleanups this year to help protect our local ecosystems!
I'm deeply passionate about marine science and the environment. I have always loved animals, especially marine life, and I'm fascinated by the ocean and how its ecosystems work. My goal is to become a marine biologist so I can better understand and protect the underwater world. I care deeply about conservation and want to build a career that makes a real difference. I'm taking steps toward that future by getting my diving certifications, and I love snorkeling because it lets me explore marine life up close and experience the beauty of the ocean firsthand. I hope to turn these experiences into a lifelong career dedicated to protecting and studying the ocean.
I’m a senior at Out-of-Door Academy and this is my first year in the program. Growing up in the Sarasota Bay area, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the natural landscape, marine life, and the opportunities the local waters provide. I enjoy getting involved through environmental and community service opportunities, including the Vertical Oyster Garden Citizen Scientist Program, where I help monitor oyster growth and water quality to support estuary restoration. At school, I’m a leader in DECA, a varsity cheerleader, and a varsity lacrosse player. I hope to learn about environmental stewardship while making a positive impact.