Youth Environmental Leadership
Mission: The Youth Environmental Leadership program will help to uphold a clean and conscious community by increasing youth engagement in order to make tomorrow better for future generations.
Keep Lee County Beautiful is still accepting applications for the 2025-2026 KLCB Youth Council. This is a unique opportunity for high school students from diverse backgrounds across the county to participate in a service-learning and leadership development program. Members will contribute to and inform KLCB on programs while acting as ambassadors and leaders for youth service at their schools and in their communities. The KLCB Youth Council creates a framework for youth engagement. KLCB seeks to infuse the youth voice into our programs and build on the model of youth leadership seen in our partner affiliates.
Those interested in applying must meet the following criteria:
• Be enrolled in public, private, virtual or homeschool (in grades 9, 10, 11 or 12) in August 2025
• Be a resident of Lee County, FL for the duration of the school year
• Be able to commit to a term from September 2025 – May 2026.
Current tentative meeting dates are as follows:
September 5th (office) & 20th (on site)
October 9th (office) & 22nd (on site)
November 8th (on site) & 18th (office – Friendsgiving)
December 11th (office)
January 13th (office) & 24th (on site)
February 7th (on site) & 17th (office)
March 23rd (office)
April 16th (office) & 25th (on site – Global Youth Services Day)
May 8th (on site)
It’s not too late. APPLY HERE FOR THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR!
Email Jenn@klcb.org or call 239-334-3488 with questions.
2025-2026 Youth Environmental Leadership
Zachary Wilson
Zachary is in the International Baccalaureate program at Cape Coral High School. He currently serves as the Division 19A Lieutenant Governor for Florida Key Club, where he supports student leaders in strengthening service and community impact. At school, he is actively involved in the MASER robotics club, the Cape Coral High School Solar Car Team, Global Studies, and Speech and Debate, as well as serving as an IB mentor and tutor. Beyond academics, Zachary is passionate about leadership, learning, and environmental advocacy. He envisions building a network of high school environmental clubs connected across the community, empowering youth voices to collaborate, take action, and inspire lasting change.
Samira Turnage
Samira is a passionate and driven high school student with a deep commitment to community service, leadership, and environmental advocacy. As a writer for her school newspaper, leader of the book club, and co-leader of the art club, Samira is actively involved in fostering creativity and discussion among her peers. She’s an ambassador-level Girl Scout, holds a Silver Award, and is working toward her Gold Award, showcasing her dedication through roles like CIT, where she helps lead camps and campfire circles. Additionally, Samira volunteers in Teen Court, contributing to a unique peer-led justice system. Known for her strong organizational skills, she excels at identifying tasks, creating actionable plans, and executing them effectively. Her creativity and ability to connect with others make her a valuable team player and leader. Driven by a passion for environmental change, Samira is spearheading a recycling initiative at her high school, determined to establish a lasting program that promotes responsible waste management.
Kellan Suriyasena
Kellan is in the International Baccalaureate program at Dunbar High School in Fort Myers. Kellan loves the beaches and being on the water. He enjoys the school year in Fort Myers and spends his summers in Sri Lanka, a tropical island located in the Indian Ocean. During his travels to Sri Lanka, Kellan founded an organization with his friends called Pearls Not Plastics; an initiative dedicated to the preservation of beaches and wildlife in Sri Lanka. The organization is dedicated to creating awareness about proper waste disposal. His love for the world’s waterways and the protection of wildlife led him to join Keep Lee County Beautiful in Fort Myers. Kellan hopes to create a greater understanding among his peers and the youth of Lee County to appreciate the natural beauty surrounding them and protect it for future generations.
Ava Bernhardt
Ava is an active member of her school’s Environmental Action Club and is deeply passionate about protecting Southwest Florida’s natural ecosystems. She serves as the SAVE Promise Club liaison in Student Government and is involved in Science Olympiad, Key Club, National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society, and Lead Like a Woman Club. With experience in multiple job positions and technical theatre, she has developed strong problem-solving and leadership skills. Her passion for eliminating pollution drives her goal of pursuing environmental studies in college to help safeguard native plants and animals. Ava hopes to organize a community-wide litter cleanup challenge that rewards participants for their impact while raising awareness about pollution. She also enjoys working with children and aims to teach them the importance of caring for the environment through engaging, hands-on learning.
Madison Gallant
Madison is a passionate environmental advocate and leader, driven by a deep love for the ocean and her community. She’s the founder and soon-to-be president of an environment club at her school, dedicated to raising awareness about local pollution in Lee County through short films, cleanups, and community outreach. Enrolled in AICE Environmental, Madison’s environmental journey began when a marine biologist inspired her at just eight years old. Since then, she has taken a paid camp focused on ocean pollution, organized beach cleanups worldwide, and regularly educates newcomers to her community about the damaging effects of littering and pollution on ecosystems. Madison is known for her strong organizational skills, effectively managing time, calendars, and reminders for herself and others. Her proactive approach includes unique ideas like beach day fundraisers and environmental awareness activities at school football games, aiming to fund future cleanups and foster community involvement. Through her work, she hopes to build a more sustainable, pollution-free future for her hometown and beyond.
Lucas Gomez
Lucas is a dedicated dual-enrollment student at FGCU with a passion for environmental sustainability and wildlife conservation. Alongside his interest in golf, where he participates in meets to deepen his skills and knowledge, Lucas is committed to eliminating waste to protect natural habitats and biodiversity. He recognizes the severe impact of waste, especially plastic and chemicals, on ecosystems and wildlife, and he actively advocates for waste reduction to ensure cleaner, safer environments. Known for his excellent time-management skills, Lucas brings organization and a results-oriented approach to his projects. Lucas plans to inspire youth to conduct monthly clean-ups, native planting, and recycling stations, aims to foster environmental stewardship, leadership skills, and a sense of community pride among young participants. Lucas envisions cleaner public spaces, heightened environmental awareness, and stronger community bonds as lasting impacts.
David Romero
David is a bilingual and enthusiastic high school student with an international perspective, having grown up in Spain and participated in SENDA, a Spanish youth group focused on developing social skills. He's also an active member of the Boy Scouts, committed to service and community improvement. Concerned about litter in his local waterways, especially around Cape Coral’s canal systems, David is passionate about environmental protection. He envisions organizing a kayaking clean-up event in the Lake Kennedy canal area, aiming to reduce pollutants and microplastics in Cape Coral and benefit the wider ecosystem of Lee County’s estuaries.
Miley Rodriguez
Miley was inspired to get involved with Keep Lee County Beautiful after her sister’s volunteer experience. At school, she serves as Co-President of Culture Club, Fundraising Director of Her Haven, and Communications Director of SAVE Promise Club, while also participating in National and French Honor Societies, Interact Club, HOSA, Best Buddies, and the school newspaper as Copy Editor. She enjoys volunteering at a local retirement home and plays on her school’s lacrosse team. She is passionate about community involvement, environmental preservation, and hands-on learning projects that inspire younger students to care for our planet. As a goal-oriented and organized leader, she hopes to bring creativity, teamwork, and enthusiasm to KLCB’s youth council.
Position Open
Bio coming soon.
Position Open
Bio coming soon.
Position Open
Bio coming soon.
See former members HERE.