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Alaska Civics & Conservation Summit
Wednesday, April 8, 2009(National Wildlife Federation)
Submitted by Heather McGee, April 8, 2009
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2009 Civics & Conservation Summit Report.
Teens from around Alaska converged in Juneau last week, delving into the world of environmental politics and speaking out about the issues they care about. Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA), a program of the non-profit National Wildlife Federation, held its 9th annual Civics and Conservation Summit from March 15th to 19th. Each year the Summit provides training in State government structure and function (with an emphasis on the legislative branch) by focusing on current legislation dealing with environmental issues. Eighteen teens from ten communities across Alaska met with Special Assistant to the Governor, Joe Balash, and all of their Senators and Representatives. They also attended a House Floor Session and testified at a bill hearing. They wrapped up the week with a celebratory community dinner where they honored legislators with their annual Environmental Action Awards.
Special Assistant to the Governor, Joe Balash, signed the AYEA petition to put $50 million in the Alaska budget for renewable energy! Teens brought AYEA’s State wide Campaign petition to their legislators, asking them to sign it and show their support for budgeting $50 million for renewable energy. AYEA youth chose Renewable Energy in Alaska ? Our Time is Now! as this year’s annual State wide Campaign issue because of its timeliness, and its potential in Alaska. One youth noted “Renewable Energy makes me feel inspired. All the possibilities and potential are there, we just need to call attention to it. I feel like this [issue] could really take off. It makes me feel ambitious and energized and determined and indefatigable. I feel like it can change the face of Alaska to everyone else in the U.S. and the world, and I feel like it's worth pursuing if it has that potential."
During the Campaign, the youth hope to educate their communities and neighboring communities about the potential for Renewable Energy in Alaska through presentations, media, and conversations.
Legislator Environmental Action Awards. As part of the Summit, on May 18th, the youth hosted the annual Community Dinner Celebration. At the dinner teens presented Environmental Action Awards to five legislators who are doing impressive work on critical environmental issues. The award winners were selected by the youth Peer Leaders at the Summit. Congratulations to Senator Lesil McGuire, Anchorage; Representative Bill Thomas, Haines; Representative Les Gara, Anchorage; Representative Carl Gatto, Palmer; and Representative Bryce Edgmon, Dillingham. Also attending the dinner were Senators Joe Paskvan, Fairbanks, Bill Wielechowski, Anchorage, and Hollis French, Anchorage; and Representatives Paul Seaton, Homer; Beth Kerttula, Juneau; and staff from Representative Mike Doogan, Anchorage, and Representative Cathy Munoz, Juneau, in addition to many other supporters and partners.
Rebels to the Pebble Dillingham teens Tamrit Grewal and Chanice Nelson gave a public presentation at the Summit about the proposed Pebble Mine and what they have done as part of the youth organized group Rebels to the Pebble to take action on this issue.
Focus Bills: Energy, Food & Fish. The youth picked three pieces of legislation to focus on over the week: Senate Bill 121- Energy Efficiency in Public Buildings (a bill to set energy efficiency standards for all public facilities in Alaska); House Bill 70- Alaska Grown Agricultural Products “Farm to School” (a bill to bring local food to schools and food banks); and House Bill 46- Mixing Zones and Sewage Systems (a bill to provide public information on water pollution, prohibit mixing zones in freshwater spawning habitat, and require public comment periods for sewage system modifications.) In addition they learned about the $50 million budget appropriation for the Renewable Energy Fund. Teens researched their bills, met with bill sponsors, and then lobbied their Senators and Representatives with their positions on the bills. Zoe Fuller, a sophomore from Palmer, testified before the House Resources Committee on behalf of HB 70 - Farm to School bill!
The Civics & Conservation Summit is an annual, week-long training where Alaskan teens come together in Juneau to learn about the political process, focus on current environmental issues, and take action on the issues they are passionate about. This year’s summit included teens from Anchorage, Dillingham, Emmonak, Healy, Homer, Juneau, Kasilof, Kotzebue, Palmer, and Saint Paul Island. The 2009 Summit was sponsored by the Skaggs Foundation, the Alaska Conservation Foundation, numerous community partners and donors from around the State, and many dedicated volunteers.
Alaska Youth for Environmental Action (AYEA) is a high school environmental leadership program of the National Wildlife Federation, founded by six teenagers in 1998. For more information visit www.ayea.org
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