Young Climate Champions
CalCenter's newest initiative, the Young Climate Champions (YCC) program energizes high school students in the Greater Sacramento area to dive into the pressing challenges of climate change & learn innovative solutions directly from experts!
Applications for the 2025-26 YCC Cohort are closed. Please view the session recordings to see past meetings!
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Session Topics
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STEM careers
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Sustainable practices
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Native habitat preservation
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Renewable energy
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Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge
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Climate justice
Program Details
Requirements
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High School Student
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Local to Greater Sacramento Area
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Commit to at least 6 out of 8 sessions (virtual & in-person)
Session Information
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August 27 to April 22
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8 sessions in total
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One Wednesday a month, 5 PM - 6:15 PM
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$500 stipend offered upon program completion!
Past Session Recordings
Check out our previous sessions below!
Session 1: CAL FIRE
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Battalion Chief David Acuna discusses wildfire readiness, defensible spaces, and careers with CAL FIRE.
Session 2: Community-Based Agriculture
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Director of Sustainability Max Rosa discusses urban gardening & community development with the Sacramento Sustainability Academy.​
Session 3: Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Ethnobotany
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Ethnobotanist Atlas Jackmon presents on the importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in cultivating climate resilient landscapes.
Session 4: Extreme Heat Adaptation
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Brianna Moland and Roberto Ramirez from Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District discuss transportation and adapting to extreme heat in urban environments.
Session 5: California Climate Action Corps
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Climate Action Fellows Vanessa Canchola and Yasmin Zavala describe their work with the CCAC and pathways to employment for climate activists.
Session 6: Transportation & Climate
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Celida Lizarraga and Victoria Pena from SMAQD discuss their career trajectories and the work they're doing at the Air Quality District, including community incentive programs and the development of a hydrogen locomotive!
Session 7: Biodiversity & Native Plants
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Angela Laws of Xerces Society discusses the importance of native plant biodiversity in cultivating climate resilience. She also shares about citizen science efforts for invertebrate conservation and opportunities for youth to get involved!
Session 8: Environmental Writing
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Charles Orgborn III of the Carbonate Group shares methods and tools for sharing key climate information to persuade others to join the fight for climate justice.