News and resources for Student Environmentalists
Run by students for students
"Be in the room where it happens"
Whether you’ve been involved in activism for years or if you have no experience but want to learn more, the upcoming youth climate conference is an outstanding opportunity to connect and collaborate with environmental activists throughout Dane County, share and learn what you can do to help the environment, exchange ideas with student groups and clubs, and more! All Youth are invited! Bring a friend!
Free Admissions, Free Lunch, Free Parking!
Where and When
Saturday November 16th
Madison College
1701 Wright Street
Madison, WI
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Enter through Welcome Center
of Truax Building
(see map below)​
Agenda
10:00 Registration
10:30 Keynote Address
11:40 Exhibits
12:45 Lunch
1:20 Envisioning the Future
2:20 Student Presentations
3:30 Wrap Up & Door Prizes
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Come for the morning session afternoon session or both!
McKenna Dunbar (they/them) is a passionate advocate for uplifting youth perspectives, and believes that Gen Z holds the power to reshape our climate future, positioning young people as agents of change who can transform how we approach environmental and mental health challenges.
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McKenna is a visionary leader dedicated to addressing the intersection of climate action, mental health, and environmental justice. With a deep understanding of the psychological toll the climate crisis imposes, McKenna works to integrate climate mental health into broader conversations about energy policy and resilience. Their focus on energy burden, especially in frontline and underserved communities, highlights how economic inequities and inefficient energy systems exacerbate the emotional and mental stressors caused by climate change.
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Their leadership reflects a holistic view of climate action, one that seeks not only to decarbonize our energy systems but to do so in ways that uplift and protect mental and emotional health, particularly in communities that have historically borne the brunt of environmental harms.
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Group Dynamic facilitator
Sara Ostad
Department of Life sciences communications UW-madison
Sara Ostad is a PhD student and researcher in the Dept of Life Sciences Communication. Sara is involved in community-engaged research focused on public perception and acceptance of energy technologies.
Additionally, Sara's work looks at how we can best bridge the gap between the public, scientists, and policymakers when it comes to climate change action and solutions.
Sara completed her master’s in Environmental Policy and Management at University of California, Davis, where she worked with majority Hispanic communities to strategically communicate their economic and climate justice concerns and consulted the California Department of Conservation in implementing their new Biofuels grant project aimed to serve Sierra Nevada communities effected by wildfires.
When she is not busy working, Sara likes to hike, try new local restaurants, and foster cats.
Past Participating High Schools
Madison Country Day School - Monona Grove High School - Madison West High School
Sun Prairie East High School - Middleton High School - Waunakee High School
Central Sands High School - Madison College STEM Academy - Simpson Street Free Press
Evansville High School - Chippewa Falls High School - McFarland High School
Mt Horeb High School = West High School - Madison Memorial High School
Sun Prairie West High School - Deerfield High School - Oregon High School
Belleville High School - Verona High School - Edgewood High School
Baraboo High School​ - Clark Street Community School - Shabazz-City High School
Bradley Tech High School - MacDowell Montessori School - Rufus King High School