Students
Students are the most important changemakers in our community. To support students, we are building a selection of excellent resources to help students take action on behalf of the environment. Suggestions for additional resources are welcome.
Santa Cruz County Office of Education invites high school students from across Santa Cruz County to join this leadership team focused on increasing youth and community efforts focused on environmental justice, sustainability and implementation of local solutions. See the YEA website for more information.
Click here to read or listen to interviews with YEA Leaders!
Submit the form here to apply to join YEA. Applicants need no prior leadership experience. The team is created to support participation of students from different high schools and communities across the county.
Youth for Environmental Action leaders plan and lead the county's annual Environmental Action Summit and identify other priorities as a team.
YEA 2023 Summit: Empowering Teens for Climate Action
On April 17th, 2023, students from high schools across Santa Cruz County joined together for this unique student-led event. The event was held outdoors, under the redwoods, where participants heard an inspiring keynote panel, shared ideas and opportunities to take action, raised student voices, and engaged in breakout workshops allowing students to interact directly with community leaders working toward a sustainable future. Read more here and APPLY HERE NOW to be part of the 2023-24 YEA Student Leadership Team by submitting this YEA!
See our Climate Education Page for more resources that empower youth to learn about climate change and take action for the future.
GET INSPIRED! These short films tell amazing stories of youth creating positive change around the world.
Imagine If is an inspiring podcast about climate resiliency from high school students experiencing real life impacts
Roots and Shoots: Dr. Jane Goodall’s Roots & Shoots is a youth service program focused on fostering respect and compassion for all living things, promoting understanding of all cultures and beliefs, and inspiring each individual to take action to make the world a better place for people, other animals, and the environment.
BioMimicry Youth Design Challenge The Youth Design Challenge is a competition that asks middle and high school students to design bio-inspired solutions to fight climate change. Teachers must initiate registration and are provided with a framework to introduce biomimicry to students.
Green School Alliance gives students engagement tools, programs, and training to help them become sustainability leaders in their communities. Develop leadership skills, participate in challenges, find resources, run a campaign, and collaborate with other youth taking action around the world!
Environteers: LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES? Environteers is dedicated to providing easy access to the many rewarding environmental volunteer opportunities in Santa Cruz County. You'll also find a comprehensive list of environmental organizations serving Santa Cruz County.