Students Secure Grant Funding for Coastal Conservation Projects at City’s Manatee Tank Competition

Two teams of Jacksonville University students earned $5,000 in combined grant funding for coastal conservation projects at Manatee Tank, a youth sustainability pitch competition hosted by the City of Jacksonville. The University helped sponsor the competition in collaboration with Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens and Think Bold All Access.

Manatee Tank received more than 25 project applications, with six finalist teams selected to present their sustainability projects to a panel of judges, known as "Manatees," and a live audience. JU students Jennifer-James "JJ" Thompson and Emma Kadelski won $4,000 for Sea the Difference, and Sarah McCort received $1,000 for Pokémon GO Green Jax.

Sea the Difference will install reusable Beach Basket cleanup stations at select Jacksonville Beach access points, allowing visitors to collect litter during their beach visits and return the baskets when finished. The stations will use durable, sustainable materials such as recycled plastic lumber and corrosion-resistant hardware. Educational signage and a QR code will explain how marine debris threatens wildlife, including sea turtles and manatees. The team also plans to track participation and litter collection to measure the project's environmental impact.

The idea took shape through research and conversations with the team's nonprofit advisor, Lucas Meers '12. Thompson and Kadelski originally planned to create sustainable tote bags before shifting to beach baskets as an easier way for people to pick up litter while enjoying the shore.

"We wanted to find a way to turn that passion into something tangible rather than just talking about the problem," said Kadelski, who is graduating this semester. "It is exciting to know that something we are passionate about is being given the opportunity to grow beyond the idea stage."

Thompson and Kadelski are now identifying locations for the baskets, researching permitting requirements and raising awareness about beach cleanliness.

Pokémon GO Green Jax, led by McCort, pairs mobile gaming with coastal conservation. In partnership with the Duval Audubon Society, volunteers will clean beaches and prepare habitats before the spring nesting season to help protect shorebirds, including least terns and black skimmers, from debris, plastic and fishing gear. Participants log activities under their Pokémon GO team and earn points for collecting trash, restoration work and educational activities. The project supports the Jacksonville Youth Climate Action Plan.

"Experiences like Manatee Tank give students the opportunity to move beyond identifying environmental challenges and begin developing practical solutions," said Dr. Ashley Johnson, professor of environmental planning and geography at Jacksonville University. "We're proud to sponsor this event and see our students take what they are learning in the classroom and turn it into solutions that can make a lasting difference for Northeast Florida."