Held at stunningly beautiful wilderness sites in California, our Wilderness Quests are a powerful opportunity to approach nature as teacher. For young activists and conservation leaders, this is an important way to seek guidance with the big questions in your life, a way to have nature directly inform your work and how you approach it. Scholarships are available.

For more about our programs, see www.WildernessReflections.com (click on Wilderness Quests). For scholarship information contact info@wildernessreflections.com or call (415) 488-1917. 

Excellence deserves acknowledgment. Every year the Georgy Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication honors one person and one organization for their excellence as climate change communicators. Honorees are identified through an open nomination and democratic voting process.

Learn more about the nominees and vote >

The first winner of the Youth! Learner Award (awarded by the Friends of Homer Public Library, Alaksa) is Adi Jo Davis, a 15-year-old home-schooled sophomore who has shown interest in everything from debate to environmental efforts. According to nominator Roberta Copeland Paulino, Adi Jo "joyously shares her knowledge with both children and adults. She is always trying something new, while continuing the pursuit of her lifelong interests in nature, community and world care along the way."

Adi was the recipient of the national Spirit of Youth Award 2010 for her work with EcoLogical, a group of youth who have effectively reduced waste in the Homer Landfill and created awareness in the community about environmentally friendly habits. 

Congratulations Adi Jo!

Need a shot of inspiration? Join Community Matters for a fast-paced call on Thursday, April 14 at 4 PM EDT with stories of young people strengthening their communities, including Josh Arnold of Sustain-A-Raisers and G.A.L.A., Brianna Hollins and Lottie Gatewood of the Rise & Shine Family Food Co-op, and Lee Krohn of the Manchester, VT Youth on Boards program. If you're a young person making change yourself - sign up for a slot to tell us about it on the call >

iMATTER March, 8 May 2011
Since we will inherit this world, iMatter was created to reach across regional, ideological, and ethnic borders, to empower youth to organize, and be heard on the issue of global climate change. Learn more about the iMATTER march -- create your own march or join one that is already organized in your area >

America's Great Outdoors Initiative - a conversation with Will Shafroth in DC
NextGen is organizing a conversation with Will Shafroth, Assistant Secretary for the US Fish and Wildlife and Parks on 18 May in Washington DC.  More information >

Youth Activism Key Findings:

Being a part of online communities promotes engagement.

"Many worry that youth who spend significant time on fan sites or in online communities tied to hobbies, sports or other interests will become socially isolated. The study found the opposite to be true. Youth engagement in interest-driven online communities was associated with increased volunteer and charity work and in increased work with others on community issues. The Internet can serve as a gateway to online and offline civic and political engagement, including volunteerism, community problem-solving, and protest activity."

Most youth are in empty chambers not echo chambers.

Only 5% of youth reported being exposed to political views they agreed with. However, 34% of youth said that they didn't encounter any perspectives at all. "Many youth are largely disengaged from discussions and debates surrounding civic and political issues," Kahne said.

Not all youth are "digital natives."

"The study found that digital media literacy education dramatically increased students' exposure to diverse perspectives and boosted the likelihood of youth online engagement with civic and political issues. This finding has serious implications for school and after-school programs as well as for parents. Many young people will benefit if they learn how to tap the full potential of digital media."

 Read the full blog post >