TUPPER LAKE — The Wild Center has been awarded a grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership to support its Empowering Youth for Climate Action project in the Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Network and the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Region in southern Ontario.

The Empowering Youth for Climate Action Project aims to increase climate education among high school students in both biosphere regions through youth summits and youth climate leadership training. The initiative will focus on climate science, biodiversity, sustainability, and solutions, empowering young people to take meaningful action in their communities. The initiative will also deepen the partnership and connections between youth living in the two biospheres in the US and Canada.

“This grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership will enable us to expand our efforts to educate and empower the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Jen Kretser, director of climate initiatives at the Wild Center. “Through workshops, presentations, and cultural exchange, we will equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to address climate change and promote sustainability.”

The project will include a four-day Youth Climate Connections Retreat and Cultural Exchange, bringing together youth and mentors from the CABN and Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve for collaborative learning and planning. Additionally, a two-day CABN Youth Climate Summit, being hosted by the Wild Center in November, will engage high school students and teachers in workshops and presentations focused on climate science, climate justice, and solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Champlain-Adirondack Biosphere Region encompasses parts of New York and Vermont that include the Adirondack Mountains and the Lake Champlain region. It is designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which is a specialized agency of the United Nations that aims to promote peace and security through international cooperation in education, science, culture, communication and information. The project aligns with the objectives of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve program, promoting sustainable development, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation.