Youth Climate Leadership Program

With a mission to amplify youth leadership in the climate movement, Mass Audubon's Youth Climate Leadership Program (YCLP) empowers both emerging and experienced leaders to get involved in climate action across the state. Youth activists use their interests to lead and drive the program, along with advice and mentorship from Mass Audubon staff and other community partners.  

What is the Youth Climate Leadership Program?  

The Youth Climate Leadership Program is a statewide network of teens fighting climate change, shaped by Summits and Climate Action Projects.  

Summits are large regional youth conferences, organized by YCLP leaders and attended by individuals or groups (like a scout group or environmental club) across the state each year. These events bring in new participants, create a network of adult mentors and peer leaders, and provide valuable training for teens to launch their Climate Action Projects.  

YCLP climate summits are inspired by the WILD Center model and are a part of the WILD Center’s global Youth Summit Network.  

Climate Action Projects are group- or individual-led projects that aim to address a climate issue present in one’s community. Group size is flexible, but we recommend 5-10 people per group for the most effective action. You can be a part of YCLP as an individual, but we find that groups have more success in inspiring each other throughout a Climate Action Project.

Some examples of past Climate Action Projects include advocating for solar panels on school buildings; putting together an educational awareness campaign to communicate the urgency of the climate crisis in a town; addressing food and energy waste in a school district; or researching and writing Massachusetts bills and lobbying for them during legislative cycles.  

Participant Ages  

YCLP is open to teens in grades 8-12, generally 13- to 18-year-olds.  

Adult mentors—experienced climate activists, often Mass Audubon staff or other educators—support local YCLP chapters.  

Time Commitment  

The time you spend in YCLP depends greatly on your region and role within the program.  

Groups and individuals pursuing Climate Action Projects usually spend a couple hours a month putting their plan into action; the time commitment of imagining, planning, and enacting a project that will have a meaningful impact in your community is largely up to you.  

Leadership teams meet every other week leading up to Climate Summits and typically hold monthly meetings during the rest of the year. In addition to planning and leading Summits, leadership teams also organize other community climate events throughout the year like Earth Day festivals, climate cafes, or climate movie nights.

Program Locations  

You can find local YCLP chapters across the state. Get more information about your local chapter by reaching out or visiting the site of the sanctuary closest to you.

• Springfield Chapter (in tandem with Pleasant Valley and Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary), Springfield
• Broad Meadow Brook Wildlife Sanctuary, Worcester
• Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, Lincoln
• Joppa Flats Education Center, Newburyport
• Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, Mattapan
• Blue Hills Trailside Museum, Milton  
• Allens Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, Dartmouth
• Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Cape Cod
• Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, Martha’s Vineyard

Benefits of Joining YCLP

The Youth Climate Leadership Program is a valuable addition to many teens’ extracurricular pursuits. By joining, you will:  

• Help fight climate change and create a more sustainable future.  
• Join a community and statewide network of like-minded teens and adult professionals who care about climate justice and environmentalism.  
• Gain valuable and transferable skills and experience in organizing and climate work, including public speaking, teamwork, event organizing, and leadership. 

How to Join the Youth Climate Leadership Program    

Contact us! Fill out the YCLP contact form

We will connect you with your local chapter, and from there, you can attend Summits, form groups and enact Climate Action Projects. If there isn’t a Summit coming up soon in your area, your local adult mentor will help you get started based on your interests and experience.

For detailed instructions, inspiration, and guidelines on forming groups, attending Summits, and doing Climate Action Projects, download our toolkit:   

“The Youth Climate Leadership Program has been an incredible opportunity for me to grow as a leader and a climate activist."

-Ollie Perrault, Youth Climate Leader