2026 RI Youth Climate Conference
Hosted by the RI Environmental Education Association.
Get ready to connect, create, share ideas, and turn your climate passion into action! The 2026 Rhode Island Youth Climate Conference brings Rhode Island high school students together for a day of creativity, collaboration, and inspiration with other young people working to make a difference.
We’ll kick things off with check-in, introductions, and a fun icebreaker before jumping into a hands-on art experience led by Eli Nixon.
Then it’s time to split up! Mentors will work with SJ Jennings on ways to support and empower young people as they turn ideas into action. Meanwhile, youth will hear directly from young panelists about their experiences leading projects that connect climate change, resilience, and their communities. You’ll have plenty of time to ask questions, swap ideas, and connect with other participants during small-group conversations.
After lunch, students and mentors will team up to dig into the how-to of climate action. You’ll learn how to plan a climate action project, explore funding opportunities, and start thinking about how your own ideas could create real change in your community.
Next up: communications! Ocean State Media will give you tools to navigate media and tell your story with confidence through understanding the media landscape to sharing your work and getting your message out there.
We’ll then hear from Ayana Melvan, who will share her journey from a childhood fascination with the ocean to becoming a marine scientist and advocate. Ayana’s story will inspire you to think about where your own interests could take you and how you can use your voice to make an impact.
We’ll wrap up with a quick concluding activity before giving everyone some time to hang out, connect with fellow participants, and enjoy the Zoo together.
Come ready to meet new people, get creative, ask big questions, and leave with ideas you can actually put into action.
Learn more at https://www.rieea.org/programs/youth-leadership/