Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
Join Our Climate Toolkit Youth Network
The Climate Toolkit Youth Network is a free program to bring together young people from museums, gardens and zoos who are passionate about climate action and environmental justice. Youth and program coordinators from these institutions can use this space to share knowledge and best practices around climate action, build community, combat climate anxiety, and celebrate our hard work. We are seeking partners to join us in empowering young people to take hold of their futures through climate action. If you're interested, visit our Climate Toolkit Youth Network page to learn more.
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens is pleased to offer a youth-led climate advocacy program for highly motivated high school and college-age youth who are passionate about climate change and environmental justice. Youth on the committee develop and implement environment-related projects of their choice within the Pittsburgh community. Committee members also meet and work with other passionate youth, build leadership and project planning skills, learn about environmental and climate justice, and delve deeper into their favorite environmental topics. The program also offers opportunities to learn from experts in the diverse fields of sustainability, environmental and climate sciences.
Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
The Youth Climate Advocacy Committee is comprised of two leaders, two to four team leads and 15-20 youth climate advocates. The committee meets on two to three evenings a month during the school year from October to April and ends with a final showcase of advocacy projects in mid to late April. Committee members commit to the full program duration, including meetings and tasks averaging 2 – 4 hours per week. Committee members are compensated with quarterly stipends. Because we have a limited number of stipends, youth who are not chosen for paid positions in the committee may be offered unpaid YCAC ambassador positions.
2024-2025 Committee Plans and Events
- Host a Youth Climate Game Night
- Connecting with local climate and youth empowerment groups, such as CMU's LEAP program and Group Against Smog and Pollution (GASP)
- Partnering with SLB Radio Productions to highlight youth environmental work: listen to Yuki, Mathilda and Vanessa's interview!
- Hosting virtual youth climate meet-ups to connect youth across the country through our new Climate Toolkit Youth Network
- Attending Communitopia's Pittsburgh Youth Climate Action Summit on March 29, 2025 (and you should too!)
- Hosting Youth Eco-Action Showcase to celebrate and share our climate advocacy work on Wed., April 16, 2025
Upcoming Events
Climate Game Night
Fri., March 14 from 6-8pm:
Join us for a colorful evening of fun, friends, snacks and...the environment? Phipps YCAC members are hosting a casual game night for teens and young adults (ages 14 – 23) to explore climate solutions, meet other young environmentalists and have some friendly competition! There will be snacks, games, crafts, and raffles. This game night is themed after the four seasons. Whether you love the cool blues of winter or the refreshing pastels of spring, dress to theme to show us your favorite season! Come hang out, relax and find a community of fun new eco-minded friends.
Sustainable Art and Fashion Workshop
Sun., March 16 from 1:00 - 3:30pm
Join us for a fun afternoon working on sustainable arts and fashion projects. This workshop is in preparation for our Sustainable Art and Fashion show (Metamorphosis) in April, and it's open to any youth ages 12-26 who are interested in these topics. We'll have a lot of crafting and sewing materials and supplies. It'll be a relaxed, casual space to learn art and fashion tips and tricks and meet other creative youth.
Youth Eco-Action Showcase
Wed., April 16 from 6-8pm
Hosted in the Special Events Hall and Tropical Forest, this free event will host a variety of activities for all ages. Sample plant-forward appetizers, peruse local art and fashion vendors, learn about YCAC's work at their activity stations and view a sustainable art and fashion gallery created by local youth! Educators and students can also learn about YCAC and how they can join this amazing team.
Metamorphosis Fashion & Art Show
Wed., April 16 from 6-8pm
As part of the Showcase, we are holding a sustainable art gallery and fashion show in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University. Youth ages 12-26 are encouraged to apply. We welcome a range of artwork, including visual pieces, performances, clothing and fashion pieces, and multimedia projects.
Submission deadline: April 2, 2025
How to Submit:
Art & Performance Submission Form
Sustainable Fashion Show Submission Form
See Art & Performance Submission Guidelines and Sustainable Fashion Submission Guidelines for more info.
Looking for a young climate speaker or panelist for an event? Our Youth Climate Advocacy Committee would love to support you!
Please contact YCAC Coordinator Jennifer Torrance to make arrangements for a young person from our committee to speak at your event. Our students have knowledge on a wide range of topics and different perspectives to share. We strongly encourage you to provide an honorarium to our young speakers if it is financially possible for your organization. However, we don't require payment, especially if your event is student-led or run by another non-profit.
Engage with Our Projects!
- Our Instagram and LinkTree hold up-to-date information about our current projects and ways to engage with them. Check them out!
- Information about repurposing food waste: Scrumptious Scraps
- A photojournalism project documenting every discarded plastic water bottle found: Our Water Bottles.
- A budget-friendly, sustainable foods cookbook
- Environmental education lessons on different types of pollution for grades 4-6
- And many more! Check out our projects page below
Explore our past YCAC projects!
Youth on our Youth Climate Advocacy Committee develop and implement environment-related projects of their choice within the Pittsburgh community. Their projects are focused on climate action and environmental justice, youth-led, and aim to have a lasting impact. Explore their past projects!
Learn About Our Experience at COP28
How to Apply for the Committee
Applications for the 2024-2025 committee cohort are due Fri., Sept. 20, 2024 at 11:59pm.
We are looking for a diverse group with a wide range of skills and interests, especially in the areas of the arts, science, technology, sustainability, education, and community outreach.
All applicants must be between the ages of 16 and 23 years old by October 1. Applicants should be high school or college-aged, but do not have to be currently enrolled in school to apply.
Unable to participate this year? Click here to be notified when applications open next year
Contact Us
If you have any questions, please contact the YCAC Coordinator Jennifer Torrance at jtorrance@phipps.conservatory.org.
