Southeastern CT Youth Climate Summit

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The Southeastern CT Youth Climate Summit is a program organized by youth for youth. The initiative is led by the Marine Science Magnet High School (MSMHS) Environmental Club with support from MSMHS leadership and staff, LEARN, Town of Groton, and City of Groton. Funding support is provided by these partners as well as the CT Judicial Branch Youth Services Prevention program.

The first summit was held on March 7, 2024 at the Port N' Starboard in New London and focused on the intersection between climate change and water quality. Erica Cirino, Communications Manager for the Plastic Pollution Coalition and author of "Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis" delivered the plenary speech. Students attended two breakout sessions, which provided information and hands-on activities related to habitat restoration, environmental justice, political action, water monitoring, and pollution prevention.

The second event was held on February 25, 2024 at the Mashantucket Museum and Research Center in Mashantucket with the theme of "living sustainably." The event focused on building sustainable practices within our communities. Lectures, panels, stations, and hands-on activities helped students to explore aspects of their life that impact the planet and how they can improve the sustainability of these practices. The summit covered topics related to consumerism, energy production, transportation, agriculture, Indigenous knowledge, and urban development. Ultimately, the goal of this year’s summit was to equip students with the knowledge to advocate for better stewardship of our planet. More information about the 2025 event, including the agenda, is available in the Informational Packet on the right-hand side of this page. Check out the "Important Links" section to watch the news story NBC CT produced on the event!

Want to learn more or help plan next year's summit? Please reach out to Megan Granato using the contact information provided below.

The Southeastern CT Youth Climate Summit is a program organized by youth for youth. The initiative is led by the Marine Science Magnet High School (MSMHS) Environmental Club with support from MSMHS leadership and staff, LEARN, Town of Groton, and City of Groton. Funding support is provided by these partners as well as the CT Judicial Branch Youth Services Prevention program.

The first summit was held on March 7, 2024 at the Port N' Starboard in New London and focused on the intersection between climate change and water quality. Erica Cirino, Communications Manager for the Plastic Pollution Coalition and author of "Thicker Than Water: The Quest for Solutions to the Plastic Crisis" delivered the plenary speech. Students attended two breakout sessions, which provided information and hands-on activities related to habitat restoration, environmental justice, political action, water monitoring, and pollution prevention.

The second event was held on February 25, 2024 at the Mashantucket Museum and Research Center in Mashantucket with the theme of "living sustainably." The event focused on building sustainable practices within our communities. Lectures, panels, stations, and hands-on activities helped students to explore aspects of their life that impact the planet and how they can improve the sustainability of these practices. The summit covered topics related to consumerism, energy production, transportation, agriculture, Indigenous knowledge, and urban development. Ultimately, the goal of this year’s summit was to equip students with the knowledge to advocate for better stewardship of our planet. More information about the 2025 event, including the agenda, is available in the Informational Packet on the right-hand side of this page. Check out the "Important Links" section to watch the news story NBC CT produced on the event!

Want to learn more or help plan next year's summit? Please reach out to Megan Granato using the contact information provided below.

  • The results are in!

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    The 2025 Southeastern Youth Climate Summit provided a day of climate education, advocacy, and community for high schoolers in our region. Here are some of the stats:

    • 147 students participated from 9 high schools - Marine Science Magnet, Fitch, Grasso, Ledyard, New London, Norwich Free Academy, Old Saybrook, Stonington, and Waterford
    • 17 educators attended with their student groups
    • 36 community partners and panelists shared their time
    • 14 organizations hosted tables to provide information about the work they do to advance resiliency: Alliance for the Mystic River Watershed, The Nature Conservancy, Save the Sound, Project Oceanology, Sustainable CT, CT Climate Education Hub, Eastern CT Conservation District, CT National Estuarine Research Reserve, the Ditty Bag, Seacoast Mushrooms, Meeshok Farm, Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center, and Fiddleheads


    A big thank you to everyone who spent their day with us, and to the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center for sharing their beautiful facility with us!

  • The summit is around the corner!

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    We are so appreciative of everyone who registered to attend this year's event. The information packet has been posted on this page - please check it out! There will be two break-out sessions with several options for you to choose from. The packet also has the event agenda, facility map, lunch details, and speaker bios. See you soon!

  • Post-event survey

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    It is very important that we hear from the Summit participants after the event - we want to know what you liked, what you disliked, and what your ideas are for next year. Please fill out this survey to share your thoughts.

Page last updated: 01 May 2025, 01:11 PM