Nearly 75 students, educators, and community partners came together for this year’s Clark County Green Schools Secondary Summit, where youth leadership was front and center. Students from six secondary schools attended and brought the ideas and energy that shaped the day.
The first-ever student panel, with representatives from all six schools, became a highlight as students spoke candidly about what environmental action looks like in their own schools. Hearing peers talk about their projects, barriers, and motivations helped students see themselves in the work. Union High School’s new environmental club shared that they are planning a project with a nearby elementary school to help younger students learn about native plants and how to care for their environment. Other students described work to expand garden spaces and strengthen connections between environmental learning and local food access. Paired with Camas High School student Audreen Tsai’s presentation on nonpoint source pollution, their youth-led moments showed the value of giving students space to lead conversations about their environment.
The day highlighted how much insight students bring when given the space to lead. EarthGen and Clark County Green Schools remain committed to expanding opportunities for youth leadership in the years ahead.