Sun Coast Young Leaders Council

The goal is to help them develop their voices, speak up for our national parks, and expand the network of young advocates and volunteers that care about our parks. Want to dedicate some of your time to becoming more engaged in civic processes and environmental issues in your community? Love our national parks and want to meet like-minded advocates? 

The Sun Coast Young Leaders Council of the National Parks Conservation Association may be the place for you. We are now accepting applications to the council for the 2025-2027 cohort! 

The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) believes that engaging with the community is critical to ensuring the protection of our national parks, which is why we have a Young Leaders Council. The council brings together individuals to explore effective methods of engaging younger audiences in national park advocacy and protection. As a member of the council, you can benefit from NPCA-hosted online training, networking activities, a national park field trip & service opportunities to learn more about the Sun Coast region and how to protect it.

What You’ll Gain Through Participating

As a member of the council, you will be part of a membership organization that has been successfully advocating for national parks since 1919. You will have the chance to interact with and learn from NPCA’s talented staff, other community/ student/ young leaders councils, as well as our Next Generation Advisory Council. You will be able to build relationships with other national park advocates and challenge your current perspectives surrounding public lands. Most importantly, you will have the opportunity to help our national parks by building their advocacy base of support for the future.

Members are trained to serve as spokespersons, volunteers, and ambassadors for NPCA’s park protection campaigns. Through workshops such as NPCA’s Civic Voice Workshop, members strengthen their public engagement skills and put them into action by connecting with decision-makers. Members may also have the opportunity to volunteer at events hosted by NPCA or held at National Park Service sites and may participate in a park visit during their term.

By combining their talents and passion, YLC members help build awareness of the 11 national park sites across Florida and inspire others to get involved in protecting the natural and cultural heritage we all love.

What to Expect:

• Monthly Zoom meetings

• Civic Voice Workshop to improve advocacy and public speaking skills

• Exposure and learning from experts around timely park protection issues

• Volunteer opportunities at NPCA events and National Park Service sites

• Park visits with fellow council members

• Participation in lobby meetings in district offices with elected officials

Term Dates: September 2025 – June 30, 2027

Application Deadline: August 14, 2025

Location Requirement: Must live in Florida

Age Requirement: Must be 18 or older

Other Things to Keep in Mind  

• This is not a paid position, although NPCA may cover some expenses related to participating. Your time participating as a member is not paid or reimbursed; it is a volunteer activity.

• While monthly meetings will be conducted over Zoom, if conditions permit, we also plan on offering a group field trip or outing each year, for which NPCA will cover some of the expenses, but you will be responsible for your own travel/transportation to the event locations in Florida.

• NPCA is a nonpartisan advocacy organization, and we will also announce opportunities to get involved in park advocacy activities, although participation will not be required. 

Ready to Apply?

Prospective council members must fill out the online Application:

Sun Coast Young Leaders Council Apply Online ›

Questions?

For more information about the Sun Coast Young Leaders Council (Florida) – please contact: cswaby@npca.org

Interested in Another Region?

If you’re not based in Florida but want to join a Young Leaders Council, NPCA has active councils in several other regions:

• Los Angeles Young Leaders Council – sgarcia@npca.org

• Mid-Atlantic Young Leaders Council – mpavlat@npca.org

• Northeast Young Leaders Council (New England & NY/NJ/CT) – tmartin@npca.org

• Texas Young Leaders Council - clopez@npca.org