Nature, culture set the stage at 2023 EcoSummit and Green Living Expo

For more than two decades, the Science and Environment Council (SEC) – a not-for-profit consortium of the 43 leading science-based environmental nonprofit and government organization in Sarasota and Manatee counties – has convened discussions, informed policy, and enhanced public awareness about science-based conservation and sustainable practices to protect and restore our natural environment. In early December, the SEC – in partnership with UF/IFAS Extension & Sustainability – presented the largest environmental event series ever produced on the Suncoast, designed to inspire the community to connect on environmental issues and engage in more sustainable practices in their homes and businesses.

The Green Living Expo on December 2-3 at Robarts Arena highlighted green solutions for energy conservation, waste reduction, water protection, local food, and nature conservation. The two-day trade-show, featuring over 30 specially curated businesses and organizations, was loaded with products and demonstrations for reducing our impacts on the environment and provided opportunities for community members to volunteer and help solve local environmental issues. Exhibitors reported receiving high quality leads from very engaged attendees.

On December 5-6 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, nearly 500 attended the EcoSummit which featured lively, solutions-oriented lectures, panel discussions, storytelling, and music with the “soundtrack” played live throughout by award-winning Americana songwriter Karen Jonas and her band. Dozens of national, regional, and local experts shared insights and future-forward solutions for recharging our environment and reducing our impacts – crucial to sustaining our coastal community’s environment-based quality of life.

The audience gained insights from expert speakers and panel discussion on session topics such as “Growth and Balance,” “Land, Legacy and Special Places,” “It’s All About Clean Water,” “Making a Place for Nature at Home,” “Billion Dollar Bays,” and “When Pollution is Personal: Don’t Let Waste Go to Waste and Shrink Your Energy Footprint.”

The EcoSummit kicked off the evening of December 4 at The Bay Park Nest with a free outdoor screening of the film “2040” with the film’s creator, award-winning Australian documentary filmmaker and EcoSummit keynote speaker Damon Gameau.

The evening of December 5 featured “Florida Stories with Carl Hiaasen,” an unforgettable evening with Florida’s most savagely funny, riotous, and cathartic storyteller, with award-winning journalist Craig Pittman and Dr. Randy Wells of the Sarasota Dolphin Research program. Nearly 1,200 filled the Van Wezel auditorium for this special event, with a sponsor reception and book signing by Hiaasen prior to the presentation.

Other associated events included family-friendly Ever-GREEN Days at The Bay Sarasota, with a week-long schedule of interactive and eco-friendly (and free!) experiences – such as guided tours, hands-on eco-education, family friendly activities and much more – from November 30-December 6.

“By working together to educate and activate the community, our hope is to bolster efforts to conserve and restore our treasured natural resources—and protect quality of life for generations to come,” said Dr. Jennifer Shafer, SEC’s co-executive director. “We are thrilled at the success of the week’s events, are grateful to our sponsors and event attendees for their support and interest, and look forward to presenting another installment of events in 2026.”

In the meantime, organizers aim to facilitate community-targeted interests and projects identified during the EcoSummit to keep up the momentum and engagement generated by the week-long series of events.

Presenting Sponsor for the event series was Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; EcoSummit Lead Sponsor was Elizabeth Moore; Gulf Coast Community Foundation sponsored the “Florida Stories” program with Carl Hiaasen; and the Venue Host was the City of Sarasota.

To learn more about the Science and Environment Council, visit scienceandenvironment.org.

About the Science and Environment Council
Incorporated in 2001, the Science and Environment Council is a not-for-profit consortium of the 40 leading science-based environmental, nonprofit and government organizations in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The Council’s network serves as a catalyst and multiplier to initiate and accomplish impactful projects no single organization could address on its own. SEC is a leader in Southwest Florida, convening discussions, informing policy, and enhancing public awareness about science-based conservation and sustainable practices to protect and restore our natural environment. One project of note is its comprehensive “Green Living Toolkit,” which can be found here: greenlivingtoolkit.org. For more about the SEC and the 2023 EcoSummit+Expo, visit scienceandenvironment.org.