Each year the Council & Center offer educational and community activities that help promote environmental education among both youth and adults. Visit the event pages below to learn more! Check back often for date updates!
Michael Shields Memorial Tournament Series
The 17th Annual Michael Shields Memorial Inshore fishing tournament will be held on Friday, September 26th and Saturday, September 27th at River Palm Cottages & Fish Camp in Jensen Beach, FL.
The tournament consists of both an inshore invitational and an inshore open fishing competition and was created in memory of Michael Shields, a beloved member of the Martin County community and an avid fisherman, who passed away at the young age of 23 due to bone cancer. The event has raised almost $500,000 in donations for various charities throughout the years, and The Environmental Studies Council is proud to be the beneficiary of the proceeds from this year’s event.
Click here to purchase tickets or for more information.
Trick-or-Trot 5K at KC Trails
Date: October 25, 2025
Time: 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM
Location: KC Trails- about 0.5 miles south of Becker Road on SW Newfield Pkwy
Whether you’re sprinting like a vampire or strolling like a zombie, this non-technical trail run through the Kiplinger Conservancy at Newfield promises a spook-tacular autumn adventure! Click for more information on registration.
Turtle Walks
The Environmental Studies Council hosts two sea turtle nesting walks at the Environmental Studies Center each summer, with tickets available to purchase. Each walk is limited to 25 participants. Click here for further information.
Fall Open House
Join us at the ESC for our next Open House event on Saturday, October, 11, 2025 for a day full of art, food, learning, and exploration! Take a self-guided tour of the Center, meet Joey the Alligator, check out our Student Entrepreneur Fair, and say goodbye to Saylor the Sea Turtle before her release! The fun begins at 10:00 am! Hope to see you there!
Click for more information.
Spring Celebration
Check back later this year for an update about our next Spring Celebration 2026 Open House.
Environmental Lecture Series
Join us for our yearly environmental lecture series. Last year’s 2024 lecture series featured “Turtle Talks,” with esteemed sea turtle veterinarian, Dr. Maria Chadam, as well as turtle biologists, Jeff Guertin and Yasmeen Bruno from InWater Research Group.
Lectures are held at the Environmental Studies Center in Jensen Beach. Check back periodically for future dates.
Youth Driven Cinema, K-12 Environmental Film Festival
The mission of YDC is to engage the youth of Martin County in community involvement and environmental awareness through the arts and sciences. Click here to learn more.
Summer Day Camp (June and July)
The Center hosts a popular summer camp program during the months of June and July, where students can participate in seining, fishing, snorkeling, and trips to St. Lucie Inlet State Park, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Bathtub Reef Beach, Dubois Park, and Coral Cove Park. The camps are one-week sessions offered during the months of June and July. Click here for more information.
OTHER EVENTS:
Camp W.E.T. (Water – Environment – Technology)
This grant-funded program consists of three two-week sessions of active classroom lessons and intense hands-on field investigations. Students are selected by teachers for their enthusiasm for marine science and many receive scholarships from the Council to participate!
Hall of Fame Garden
The Council has honored recently deceased local men and women who were environmentalist who made an impact on our community. A plaque in their honor is added to the Hall of Fame Garden in front of the campus at the Environmental studies Center. The ceremony honoring the individual is held in November, though not every year.