Education

Two men in a burned pine forest; one in a yellow shirt stands while the other crouches, with smoke in the air.

Inspiring the Next Generation of

Conservation Leaders

The Sam Shine Foundation is committed to improving our citizenry’s land ethic through strategic, impactful education programs that connect people directly with the natural world.
 
By combining hands-on experiences, scientific learning, and immersive outdoor environments, our programs help students, educators, and communities better understand the importance of conservation and responsible land stewardship.
Four young people in orange shirts stand around a whiteboard with diagrams, one pointing at it during a camp activity at Camp Longleaf.

Camp Longleaf

Located on Nokuse Preserve, Camp Longleaf provides event and overnight facilities designed for extended experiential learning in the natural sciences.
 
The camp allows students, educators, and conservation groups to engage deeply with the ecosystems of Northwest Florida through multi-day programs, field research, and outdoor exploration. Surrounded by one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the Southeast, Camp Longleaf serves as a gateway for meaningful, place-based environmental education
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E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center

The E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, located adjacent to Nokuse Preserve, provides immersive environmental education programs that inspire curiosity, scientific exploration, and stewardship.

The Center not only teaches sustainability - it practices it. Operations emphasize responsible sourcing, composting organic waste, reducing plastic use, conserving energy and water, and minimizing overall waste through environmentally conscious practices.

The experience is more than a single event; it is a true extension of the classroom with attendance required for all 4th and 7th graders in the Walton County School District. Through hands-on exhibits, outdoor learning environments, and science-based programming, the Center connects thousands of students each year to the natural systems that support life on Earth.
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Group of kids with colorful backpacks listening to a bearded man in a wide-brimmed hat giving an outdoor talk in a forest clearing.

Educational Partnerships & Programs

Throughout the year, Camp Longleaf, the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center, and the Conservation Innovation Center host a wide range of educational and professional groups that use the preserve as a living classroom.

Programs and partners include:
  • Naturalists Outdoors – Environmental education programs for middle and high school students
  • Master Naturalists – Community-based learning and conservation training
  • Longleaf Alliance – Professional training and collaboration for conservation practitioners
  • Nonprofit outdoor programs such as Unplugged Adventures
  • Private educational institutions, including Waygumama Ranch School

These partnerships expand the reach of our education programs while strengthening conservation knowledge across communities, classrooms, and professional networks.

Workshops & Training

Environmental Stewardship Projects through Bellarmine University; MOTUS Wildlife Tracking System Training; Bird Mist Netting and Banding Techniques; and Native Plant Education through Purdue Extension. This is a sample of ongoing professional development activities, with more workshops and training opportunities currently in progress.
 

Learning Through Experience

Whether through field exploration, research-based learning, or immersive overnight programs, the Foundation’s education initiatives aim to build a deeper connection between people and the landscapes that sustain them.

By fostering curiosity, responsibility, and respect for the natural world, these programs help cultivate the next generation of conservation leaders.

 
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