Alaska Youth for Environmental Action

10/10/2026

If it’s not soulful, it’s not strategic! Besides discussing what Just Transition principles look like in their community organizing, teens in the Strategic Organizing track dove into the concepts and practices of campaign planning, how to be strategic, plan direct actions, and work with governments. They made big sticky notes galore to chart out key ideas and practice power mapping and building a campaign. At the mock Assembly meeting, teens held an inspiring rally outside the Assembly chambers and mobilized others to disrupt and put pressure on Assembly members to make supportive decisions. Decision-makers across the state - don’t be surprised if there’s an uptick in birddogging soon!

10/09/2026

Extra! Extra! Have you heard? Local journalism and print media are so back. The AYEA Times debuted at the Summit, covering all things youth voices and emphasizing why storytelling is important in making change. Two AYEA Times journalists even attended the Assembly meeting, interviewing teens on their position and why sharing their voices matters! In the Your Story, Your Power track, teens discussed why storytelling and their particular voices are important in creating the better futures and communities we want. They practiced honing their voice and message with an array of tactics, showing up to the Assembly meeting ready to testify, submit written comments, and inspire other youth to take action. 📢

10/08/2026

Check out all of AYEA’s amazing artists and the really punk and cool art garage 😎 Along with the highly impactful Arts in Action track, this Summit was full of people expressing their creativity! In the track, teens learned about messaging and how to create art that can make change. They tried out different mediums and put their learning into practice with protest signs at the mock Assembly meeting. Overall, art projects at the Summit ranged from beading and weaving to spray painting and screen printing. From watercolors to block printing, banner making to zine and collage making. And that wasn’t even all of it! Limited edition, custom AYEA tote bags and t-shirts are now gracing the state too.

10/07/2026

This is going to be an inspiring talk and a great opportunity to get re-inspired about why it matters to fight for climate action - and what we can do! The Alaska Center is hosting and AYEA staff will be attending - if you're in Anchorage, we'd love to see AYEA alums or teens there! It's at 49th State Brewery, but the theater venue is all ages.

Join us at 49th State Brewing for an evening of food, drinks, and conversation with Zach Brown, PhD, as he traces the links between fossil fuels and the corruption of our democracy—and how that is all changing as renewable energy sweeps the globe.

Following the talk, Zach will take your questions in a lively Q&A. Light appetizers will be served, and the first 50 attendees will receive a free drink ticket!

Come eat, drink, and dig into the powerful connections between our climate, our energy system, and the health of our democracy.

10/07/2026

All of our learning and fun was fueled by delicious meals that the teens helped make with some generously donated local and traditional foods. New and familiar foods helped us learn about each others’ cultures and celebrate being together. To end the week of gathering and learning, and to celebrate everyone’s meaningful organizing at the Assembly meeting, we had an epic Harvest Dinner! Everyone helped make a big feast of fresh bread, local veggies, deer soup, grouse, pancit, salmon dip, blueberry crisp, and akutaq. Yum! Thank you to everyone who contributed to nourishing AYEA!

10/06/2026

While AYEA is all about youth leadership and teens across Alaska, summits couldn’t happen without our amazing adult trainers! This training team brought equal parts community organizing experience to help guide the youth, commercial kitchen chef skills, spreadsheet logistics superpowers, mentorship for young leaders, and fun! Maybe a larger proportion of fun and laughs actually… Our AYEA staff Leila and Kamryn were joined by The Alaska Center’s Political Director, Alex, and a huge thank you to our dedicated volunteers and mentors Alexis, Lynette, and Naya, and guest trainers Tristan, Carly, and Melis!

10/06/2026

Summit highlights! Follow along this week to see more pics and highlights from this year's Youth Organizer Summit! We already miss everyone. ❤

This year's fall summit was a huge success, especially thanks to our team of awesome Peer Trainers! This year, we had six Peer Trainers who took a next step in their leadership and involvement with AYEA. The teens led opening and closing circles each day; outdoor sessions of nature walks and water coloring; evening activities like weaving, oil infusions, and block printing; and chore groups for helping out around camp! Their facilitation, welcoming and inclusion of new friends, and new ideas made this summit a blast for everyone. Thank you, Peer Trainers, for all of your hard work on this summit!

09/25/2026

Summit days 4 & 5! We wrapped up the summit with a lot of big excitement. First, we conducted a mock borough assembly meeting to put our newly learned tactics like testimony, art, and storytelling into practice! Then we celebrated our hard work with a fall harvest dinner made by everyone, featuring many Alaskan foods. Finally, today we wrapped up by sharing things we are grateful for with each other and making plans to take our skills home. We can't wait to see everyone again! ❤️

09/23/2026

Summit day 2 & 3! We are having so much fun! Participants have been learning all kinds of skills and tactics for making change and having our voices heard - from screen printing, block printing, and writing letters to the editor to learning about speaking with elected leaders. Multiple AYEA alums also visited as guest trainers! And we shared lots of fun and really good food along the way. ❤️