Listen to this note:
The Young Climate Ambassadors (YCA) Leadership Program, which trains San Mateo County high school students to become leaders in climate action and sustainability, is being honored with a local award celebrating innovative efforts in environmental stewardship, social equity and economic vitality.
The YCA Leadership Program, the first of its kind in California, engages students in grades 9-12 throughout San Mateo County in a highly selective, seven-month-long program that focuses on science climate, community action and leadership development.
Through a combination of workshops, retreats and projects, participants gain knowledge, skills and experience to address the local and global climate crisis.
This year, the program will be honored with the San Mateo County Sustainability Award to be presented in April.
The award highlights the unique approach the county, the Office of Education and its partners have taken to train students in a new way of thinking about the environment and sustainability.
?YCA brings together lived experiences, cultures and ideas for climate action from across the county. “Bringing young people together in the movement for a more sustainable future is one of the most important things we can do to fight climate change,” said Carolyn Bloede, director of the Department of Sustainability.
For the past five years, the Department of Sustainability (formerly the Office of Sustainability), has partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Education, Peninsula Clean Energy, the Citizens Environmental Council and Acterra to create a dynamic program to develop emerging climate leaders throughout San Mateo County.
A total of 273 students have participated since its inception.
During the workshops, students participate in community development activities and critical thinking lessons, learning about topics such as research methods, systems thinking, and environmental justice.
Through mentorship from YCA staff, students also develop tangible skills such as public speaking, organizing events, and time management, which they then apply in projects throughout the program, such as Community Impact Projects.
Community Impact Projects are local climate action events related to a chosen topic, such as biodiversity loss or decarbonization.
Examples of past projects include installing rain barrels in schools and hosting bicycle donation, renewal and distribution events in East Palo Alto.
Participants have completed 113 community impact projects.
The YCA program is being recognized for its comprehensive approach to sustainability and climate action, particularly engaging a wide range of students from across San Mateo County.
“The threats posed by climate change are at the forefront of our students' minds,” said Nancy Magee, San Mateo County Superintendent of Schools. “The Young Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program builds students’ confidence in tackling challenging issues, benefiting them and their communities and creating the leaders our county and the world need today and for the future.”
The YCA Leadership Program is currently hosting its fifth cohort with 49 students from across San Mateo County, representing more than 20 local high schools.
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