BARRE — The Youth Environmental Summit, Nov. 2, in Barre, will bring students from across Vermont together to explore environmental issues and empower them to take action at school and in their local communities.
YES!, sponsored by University of Vermont (UVM) Extension 4-H, will take place at the Barre Civic Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It is open to any student in Grade 6-12 with an interest in learning about conservation and environmental issues affecting Vermonters and how to get involved.
Considered one of the state’s premier youth environmental education events, the summit presents students with a unique opportunity to network with environmental professionals, voice their opinions on local and statewide environmental issues and participate in a number of informative, hands-on workshops. The program also includes an exhibit scavenger hunt, designed to familiarize them with environmental initiatives and programs in Vermont.
Workshops will cover a diverse range of topics including farm-to-school programs, conducting a school waste audit, microplastic pollution in Lake Champlain, citizen science, watersheds, climate change, safer alternatives to toxic household products, public engagement on environmental permits and conservation job opportunities. Sign up for workshops is on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is advised.
After the summit, participants are encouraged to design their own service-learning project to take action locally on an environmental issue. Projects may be shared at the 2019 summit.
Registration is $10, payable by Oct. 15. For details or to register online, click here. To request a disability-related accommodation to attend, contact Lauren Traister, UVM Extension 4-H Teen and Leadership Program coordinator, at 866-260-5603, ext. 402, by Oct. 5.
For more information on YES!, contact Lauren Traister at [email protected].