Key Partners

Additional Partners

Desired outcomes for YEA! MN youth participants include:

• Climate change literacy from an interdisciplinary and factual perspective
• Sense of empowerment and belief in one's ability to affect change
• Passion for continued engagement on climate change and the environment
• Wider network of peers with which to collaborate
• Wider pool a resources to draw from to support continued engagement

YEA! MN student participates in letter writing campaign in support of Clean Air Act legislation	Mahtomedi High School students work with community leaders to raise the Zephyr Wind Turbine on campus

The YEA! MN program structure, designed to support hands-on leadership training through student-led facilitation and peer mentorship, includes the following:

• A Youth Steering Committee with students representing a variety of schools across the Metro
• Two student chairs voted in every school year by their peers
• Four large meetings, planned and facilitated by the Steering Committee, held at different high school locations across the Twin Cities, targeting high school youth, focused on a specific theme. Examples include:
  • Climate Change Basics
  • Climate Policy and Youth Engagement
  • Environmental Justice and Global Connections
  • Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solutions
• Opportunities to engage in other happenings throughout the year (i.e. annual Earth Day and Lobby Day events)

High school students gather to share strategies on youth-led action projects	YEA! MN Steering Committee members table at the 350.org 'Get to Work Day' in Minneapolis

WSF understands youth empowerment to include access to both relevant and tangible resources and opportunities for experiential learning through authentic student leadership. The YEA! MN program provides the following resources available to all participating schools and student leaders:

• Mentorship from peers and qualified adults in the environmental field
• Project Resources for student environmental clubs including educational content, fundraising opportunities and contacts for potential speakers
• Access to policy makers, legislative briefings, lobby days, and in-district meetings
• Youth leadership development through dynamic trainings and conferences
• Opportunities to participate in action on climate change beyond the high school campus

YEA! MN High School junior lobbies MN Senator Paulson in Washington DC on behalf of climate legislation	Edina High School students celebrate funding for their recycling initiative

The Will Steger foundation has been a key ally in building the youth climate moment across the Midwest. Since 2007 WSF has been actively working with partner organizations across the generational spectrum to support youth climate leadership across the region. This includes a robust network of youth organizations and a close relationship with the RE-AMP network, a coalition of over 120 environmental non-profit organizations and Foundations across the Midwest.

WSF has played a key role in connecting Midwest youth organizations with RE-AMP funding opportunities, specifically in regards to RE-AMP 'Allies' Funding through the Global Warming Strategic Action Fund. This includes outreach and engagement to strategic youth allies, mentorship on grant proposals, and facilitation of regional communication among Midwest youth applicants to foster a coordinated approach to the RE-AMP funding opportunity. The following is a list youth initiatives funded by RE-AMP in 2011. WSF is proud to support these vibrant initiatives and recognizes the critical role they play in the larger environmental movement.

Global Exchange: Green Economy Leadership Training, Detroit, MI

Global Exchange: GELT organizers worth with local youth in Highland Park MI

Global Exchange's Green Economy Leadership Training (GELT) program educates, engages and empowers youth to be active agents of change in building the necessary clean energy, green economy future. The program trains youth and community members in practical skills that will empower them to improve their communities, such as environmental justice, energy conservation, renewable energy, green building technology, water conservation, waste diversion (recycling and composting), urban agriculture and food security and urban forestry. Seizing the opportunity to begin a new era of organizing, the GELT program deploys community-based solutions that break from conventional thinking and puts the emphasis on empowering individuals and communities.

More Info...

Little Village Environmental Justice Organization: Neighborhood Transit Access

Little Village: LVEJO organizers demand transit access

Little Village environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) has created the coalition 'Communities for a 31st Bus Route' to advocate for transit access for 6 different Chicago neighborhoods, including Little Village (noted as one of the top 6 most polluted areas in the Chicago Metro), and to serve a ridership of over 100,000 people, mostly low-income. Along with a dozen diverse partners, the transit access campaign engages local youth through LVEJO programming in leadership training, community outreach, and grassroots organizing. The campaign will target key legislators and seeks to save up to 500 tons of C02 per year.

More Info... 

Grand Aspirations: Our Power Campaign, Minneapolis/Iowa City

Grand Aspirations is expanding its Our Power campaign in South Minneapolis, MN and replicating it in Iowa City, IA. The campaign focuses on building diverse alliances in support of energy efficiency and clean energy at the neighborhood and city level and integrating implementation of energy efficiency and clean energy with movement building. Our Power unites local youth, community groups, and businesses from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds in support of a clean energy economy. Local and national youth leaders will act as community energy leaders to engage 500 residents and 50 businesses in Minneapolis, and 125 residents and 10 businesses in Iowa City, in energy efficiency and clean energy measures.

More Info...

Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group: Energy Service Corps Program

Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group (WISPIRG) is in the second year of its Energy Service Corps Program launched in partnership with Americorps. Through direct citizen outreach and partnerships with local institutions the program engages youth leadership at the University of Wisconsin Steven's Point and the University of Wisconsin Madison in reaching diverse constituencies with demonstrations, presentations, and home inspections that highlight the potential of efficiency to save energy, save the environment and save money. Student "Energy Efficiency Ambassadors' will encourage residents to conduct subsidized energy audits and home weatherization.

More Info...

Minnesota Public Interest Research Group: Minnesota Youth Alignment

MPIRG Morris: MPIRG student organizers at the University of MN Morris

Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) seeks to engage it's statewide youth network in support of the following 3 key campaign areas funded by RE-AMP for member organizations in Minnesota. Solar Works for Minnesota: MPIRG will leverage it's relationships of three University of MN campuses to push to legislature for guaranteed pricing for public buildings that develop solar and other renewable energy resources. Defend Clean Energy Laws and Regulations: MPIRG will engage, educate and mobilize it's student network in defense of Minnesota's clean energy policy foundation. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled: MPIRG will launch an education and advocacy campaign targeting Duluth Transit Authority and push for transit solutions that better serve the needs of student riders.

More Info...

Illinois Student Environmental Coalition: Chicago Coal Campaign

ILEC Coal Campaign: ISEC organizers join a human banner targeting Chicago Mayor Emmanuel

Illinois Student Environmental Coalition seeks to continue its collaboration with the Chicago Clean Power Coalition (CCPC) to retire two existing coal plants in the city. The campaign is at a critical juncture and support from students is essential to advancing the work of the coalition. ISEC has been key to the CCPC movement over the past year and will continue to work with the Coalition to empower and engage it's state network of student leaders to effectively target the Mayor of Chicago and City Council.

More Info...

Learn More about other areas: Local • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Midwest 

Since 2007, WSF has been actively working with partner youth organizations across the Midwest in building a unified regional youth coalition. What began as a loose network of 10+ youth organizations, programs, and initiatives has blossomed into a formal youth network representing all of the Upper Midwest states from Indiana to the Dakotas. The Midwest Youth Coalition is working to foster strategic cross-collaboration across the region and between states on specific focus areas including coal, tar sands, fracking, agriculture, political engagement and building the clean energy economy.

WSF continues to support this vibrant Coalition through direct mentorship, logistical support, access to policy makers and leaders in the non-profit community, and funding opportunities through the REAMP network. We believe in the power of young people, leading from the heart of the country, to build the clean and just energy future we need to see here in the US and across the globe.

States active in the MW Youth Coalition include IN, OH, IL, MO, MI, WI, MN, IA, ND, and SD	MW Youth Coalition members chart a timeline of activism at the RE-AMP Annual Meeting in Chicago

Learn More about other areas: Local • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Midwest 

While the bulk of our youth work is focused on the Midwest region, the Will Steger Foundation is also committed to engaging and empowering youth leadership on the national stage. This includes access to policy makers and high profile leaders in the non-profit/for-profit sector and academia, information and resources related to climate legislation, and opportunities to participate in national conferences and trainings.

Learn More about other areas: Local • Midwest • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Overview 

Ellesmere Island Expedition – 2008

In March 2008, an international team of six emerging leaders, ages 21-28, joined Will Steger on a 1,400-mile dogsled expedition across Ellesmere Island. Hailing from four countries: Norway, Great Britain, Canada, and the United States, the young team followed in the footsteps of legendary polar explorers and journeyed to the remains of the summer sea ice and ice sheets on the brink of collapse. Traveling through the dramatic scenery of the far north the expedition team recorded a youth eyewitness perspective on the impact global warming has had on the northern coast of the third largest and northernmost island in the Canadian Arctic.

The 2008 Ellesmere Island Expedition inspired and mobilized the new generation of adventurers and eyewitnesses to global warming by capitalizing on the excitement, authenticity, and adventure of Will Steger’s expeditions to create interest, and action on climate change. Weekly dispatches from team members provided authentic reflections on climate change from a generational perspective and created a powerful role model for their peers.

Expedition Copenhagen – 2009

Will Steger Foundation undertook a year-long focus on the United Nations Climate Change Conference held in December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark, with the goal of supporting youth climate leadership to increase public awareness and investment in US participation.

Expedition Copenhagen delegates were recruited through contacts made on The Longest Summer Tour and through partnerships with organizations such as Global Exchange in Michigan and Indigenous Environmental Network in North Dakota, members of the Midwest Climate Strategy Coalition.

Key Partners

Learn More about other areas: Midwest • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Overview 

Believing in the vision, collaborative spirit, and sheer numbers of the ‘Millennial’ generation, the Will Steger Foundation has launched the Emerging Leaders Program in support of the growing youth climate movement, across the U.S. and around the world, with a specific focus on Minnesota and the Midwest. Our investment in youth leadership is a direct reflection of our commitment to citizen engagement and grassroots mobilization as a means to solving the climate crisis.

The Emerging Leaders Program targets young people ages 15-30. Incorporating the core values of youth leadership, peer-mentorship, ownership, justice and collaboration, the Emerging Leaders program aims to educate, empower, and engage a new generation of climate leadership on a local, regional, national, and international scale.

While a national and international reach is integral to our programming our two core focus areas include:

• Local high school student engagement in the Twin Cities Metro Area
• Youth engagement across the Midwest

After much anticipation WSF is excited to unveil new online Emerging Leaders Program content. Updates include a cleaner overview of program scope and vision, quick links to our vibrant youth partners state by state, and a revised YEA! MN landing page.

Check it out!

“The Upper Midwest is poised to play a pivotal role in America’s clean energy future because of its strong industrial base, its vast potential for generating power from wind and other renewable sources, and the crucial role of its Congressional delegations in shaping national energy policy. Because the region is a major emitter of greenhouse gases, it is also positioned to contribute significantly to reducing these emissions – and to reap the economic and environmental benefits of doing so.”– RE-AMP

Youth across the Midwest are launching exciting and ambitious initiatives aimed at lowering carbon emissions, taking on big polluters, building valuable partnerships, growing the green economy, and transitioning to a clean and just energy future. In cities across the heartland, Midwest youth are working with labor and impacted communities to move beyond coal and reindustrialize for a healthier economy and cleaner environment. Launching community energy efficiency programs in Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland and Minneapolis, youth are building valuable partnerships with low-income communities, communities of color, and key leaders in the faith community. With a focus on neighborhoods and municipalities, youth are working to make tangible progress on the local level, empowering community members, small business owners and policy makers to push for change from the inside out.

Youth climate leaders, working in tandem with environmental non-profits and foundations across the Midwest, are making critical strides in the heart of the country to gain traction on climate change discourse, policy, and solutions where we need it most. The Will Steger Foundation believes in the power of cross-generation collaboration across the Midwest to lead the country in the transition to a clean energy future.

Citizen engagement and grassroots organizing for the climate crisis has never been more critical and young people are an important part of the struggle and the solution. High school and college-age youth across the country are growing increasingly aware of the climate change crisis and becoming increasingly engaged in local solutions in their homes, on their school campuses, and in their wider communities.

Adolescence is a time of tremendous development and growth. The period from late adolescence to early adulthood is the time when critical habits are being developed. Our Emerging Leaders Program is based on this principle, that educating, engaging, and empowering youth in their teens and early twenties can lead to long-term civic engagement and critical leadership on climate change solutions.

Research shows youth who are engaged in service and community activities during adolescence are more likely to be civically engaged as adults (Hunter et al, 2000). Our Emerging Leaders Program prepares youth to enter college and/or the work force as agents of change. In tracking our high school and college alumni over the past four years, we have found that the majority of our youth do continue to be involved in environment and justice issues (many in the intersection of the two) after their high school and college graduation. Many have gone on to join state and national youth organizations, and found careers working for government and non-profits on climate related issues.

Our investment in youth leadership is a direct reflection of our commitment to citizen engagement and grassroots mobilization as a means to solving the climate crisis. Incorporating the core values of youth leadership, peer-mentorship, ownership, justice and collaboration, the Emerging Leaders Program aims to educate, empower, and engage a new generation of climate leadership on a local, regional, national, and international scale.

Millennials (also known as Generation Y and Echo Boomers) were born generally between 1980-2005 and are often defined as confident, connected, and open to change. With 17 million more Millennials than Baby Boomers they represent the largest, most educated and technologically savvy generation in American history. About half of Millennials in high school, college or grad school want to go on to earn a graduate or professional degree and 65 percent of young adults ages 18-29 not currently in school say they plan to go back someday. If Millennials graduate as expected, they will be the most school-educated generation in American history and in 2020 they have the potential to make up more than a third of the electorate. As history's first “always connected" generation", 90% of Millennials use the Internet and 75% have some sort of social networking account. (Pew 2005)

Despite the fact that Millennials are coming of age during a time when climate change, peak oil, and other environmental issues are of great importance, research shows that over half of Millennials convey genuine interest in the environment, but admit to lack of personal involvement in the issue. The majority say they get their information from the Internet. (Generate Insight 2010)

Millennials will absolutely shape the future of our world. The question is in what way? What role can the rest of us play, as educators, mentors, and allies in supporting and shaping a vision for a clean and just energy future? The Will Steger Foundation is committed to playing an active role in educating, empowering and engaging a new generation of climate leadership.

Youth Leadership

Creating space for authentic youth leadership in a safe and supportive environment where students can develop their style and effectiveness experientially through public speaking, group facilitation, program development, and outreach opportunities.

Peer Mentorship

Fostering peer-to-peer mentorship opportunities, by connecting high school youth with emerging high school leaders, and with college/post college age visionaries, through shared campaigns, trainings and events, speaking opportunities, and authentic collaborations.

Ownership

Engaging youth leaders in program development and facilitation as a means to foster a true sense of ownership over goals, process, and outcomes.

Collaboration

Building authentic collaborations with youth organizations and campaigns, through shared resources, win-win opportunities, access, and an openness to outcome.

Justice

Bringing a holistic perspective and inter-disciplinary approach to climate issues by incorporating issues of social and environmental justice into educational programming, program themes, and partnerships.

International Climate Champions

The International Climate Champions initiative is part of a range of activities within the British Council designed to build understanding of and drive action on climate change. As part of the British Council’s International Climate Champions, young people around the world have been helping to influence and educate their peers and the general public on the urgency of climate change.

In 2008 the program launched in 13 countries (Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States) and then grew to encompass more than 800 International Climate Champions in 29 countries.

In 2009 the program expanded to 60 countries across the globe, recruiting over 1,300 young people who are passionate about and committed to taking action on climate change. These champions are not only leaders in their communities but are also participating in international peer networks, both in person and online, to share ideas, projects and experiences.

US Climate Champions

The British Council and the California Air Resources Board sponsored competitions in 2008 and 2009 to identify climate champions from high schools across California. In 2008, fifteen students were selected, and ten additional California high school students were announced in 2009.

In 2010 the partnership expanded to include the Will Steger Foundation, and the Midwest Climate Champions delegation was established with 13 new Champions.

The Climate Champions are engaged in a range of activities that raise awareness about climate change, including participating in media interviews, building online networks of like-minded peers and launching projects in their schools or communities that not only spread the word but also take steps to mitigate the causes of climate change.

During the next year, the Climate Champions will attend and speak at events such as the Governors’ Global Climate Summit and COP16.

Click Here for more on the individuals selected for the 2010 Climate Champion. Meet the Midwest Climate Champions!

We are now the lead partner for the British Council Climate Generation Program in the Midwestern U.S.

Select Expedition Copenhagen delegates are organizing Clean Energy Forums for April 3rd, April 8th and April 10th across the Upper Midwest to build public support for climate and clean energy legislation.

Focus the Nation is partnering with the Will Steger Foundation, the Alliance for Climate Education and Global Exchange to help young leaders make clear connections in their communities between jobs and clean energy. Together, we will work with a select group of youth organizing teams, including select Expedition Copenhagen delegates, in the Upper Midwest to support their efforts in better understanding where their energy comes from, what clean solutions are immediately available, how Washington can start spending money to make clean energy available and cheaper and how this connects to what jobs look like now.

Forum locations include:

• April 3rd, 11:00am - 1:00pm: South Milwaukee, WI*
  American Legion Post, 920 Monroe Ave, South Milwaukee, WI 53172
• April 3rd: Chicago, IL
  Location TBD
• April 8th, 6:00pm - 8:30pm: Fargo, ND*
  Bison Block 2 200 12th Ave. N Fargo, ND
• April 10th, 2:00pm - 5:00pm: Bloomington, IN
  United Methodist Church, 219 East 4th Street Bloomington, IN 47408
• April 10th, 2:00pm - 4:00pm: East Lansing, MI
  Wonders Hall Kiva, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824
• April 10th, 1:00pm - 5:00pm: Sioux Falls, SD
  Augustana College, Gilbert Science Center 100, 2001 S. Summit Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57197
• April 10th, 10:00am - 2:00pm: Minneapolis, MN*
  Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Ave South, Minneapolis, MN 55454 - Download Event Flyer (PDF 1 MB)

*Will Steger Foundation Expedition Copenhagen delegate is the Focus Organizer.

The Will Steger Foundation has a strong history of youth engagement on an international scale, rooted in Will Steger’s historic polar expeditions. The 2008 Ellesmere Island Expedition featured an international team of young explorers from Canada, Norway, and Great Britain. In 2009 the Will Steger Foundation launched Expedition Copenhagen, engaging a team of youth delegates from across the Midwest in the UN Climate Negotiations. 2010-11 featured a partnership between the Will Steger Foundation and the British Council as we launched the Climate Generation program and awards.

Learn More about other areas: Local • Midwest • National • Back to Emerging Leaders Overview 

Located in the heart of vibrant Minneapolis, Minnesota, the Will Steger Foundation is committed to educating, engaging and empowering local youth through the Emerging Leaders Program. This includes high school outreach through our Youth Environmental Activists Minnesota (YEA! MN) program and direct support for youth climate initiatives launched by college-age youth and young adults in their twenties across the state.

YEA! MNA program of the Will Steger Foundation, Youth Environmental Activists Minnesota (YEA! MN) connects Twin Cities metro youth to facilitate shared skills and strategies and to take coordinated action towards environmental sustainability. YEA! MN is a youth-driven network of high school environmental clubs including 20+ public, private and charter high schools from a cross-section of urban and suburban districts.

Learn More about other areas: Midwest • National • International • Back to Emerging Leaders Overview 

Believing in the vision, collaborative spirit, and sheer numbers of the ‘Millennial’ generation, the Will Steger Foundation has launched the Emerging Leaders Program in support of the growing youth climate movement, across the U.S. and around the world, with a specific focus on Minnesota and the Midwest. Our investment in youth leadership is a direct reflection of our commitment to citizen engagement and grassroots mobilization as a means to solving the climate crisis.

By Antony Jinman, Age 26

Two young explorers brave the harsh conditions of the Canadian arctic to report on how climate change is affecting the Inuit way of life.

On the 5th of March 2008 my team mate Vijay Shah and I set off to Baffin Island to attempt to cross the Penny Ice Cap. The main aim of the expedition was to report back on how climate change is affecting the Inuit way of life. Unfortunately, due to severe temperatures and glaciers being in extremely poor states of retreat, we had to abandon the crossing. It was the coldest winter since 1970 and temperatures didn’t get warmer than -30’c. This caused Vijay to develop poor circulation in his feet and we decided to abandon the attempt. However, we had a very rewarding time living and learning about the Inuit in both Qikiqtarjuaq and Pangnirtung on Baffin Island. We interviewed as many people as we could, including local hunters and elders. The information gathered on climate change can be found on our website at www.polarventure.co.uk.

On the 17th of March I left for the next phase of the expedition. We had decided that I would make a solo attempt to get to Pangnirtung, a distance of 150km between villages through the Akshayuk Pass. Once again, I started out making good progress, covering on average 15 miles a day. Unbeknown to me at the time, a “severe weather warning” was issued for the 21 with gale force winds and heavy snow predicted. The evening of the 21 saw the wind increase in force as the weather forecast had predicted. I decided to sit tight and wait out the storm. It lasted for three days. During most of this period I couldn’t leave my tent due to the severity of the raging winds. It was the closest experience I can imagine to going into space. My tent was my capsule of survival, I couldn’t stand outside; the wind chill would freeze bare skin in seconds. Time passed very quickly. I just slept and let my mind wander. I tried to write, but It was often too cold to even hold a pencil. Temperatures got to around -65’c including wind chill and the winds reported to be 50kph with even stronger gusts.

Why had I put together this expedition together? Simply because I believe that one person can help make a difference and that you can achieve whatever you want through a bit of hard work and determination. I am busy now giving talks in schools around the United Kingdom in support of the expedition. I am also busy planning my next trips including a return to Baffin Island as well as a solo to the North Pole next year attempting the final two degrees.

Three extreme endurance athletes embark on a three-week long eco-friendly journey propelled solely by wind power.

Team:

• Sam Salwei, Age 26
• Paul Cassidy, Age 19
• Jason Magness, Age 32

The Name ‘To Cross the Moon’ was suggested by our esteemed Videographer Tad Erickson of T-Phy Productions. North Dakota is a beautiful moonscape in the winter and To Cross the Moon (2XtM) draws from President Kennedy's bold vision for America to be the first to land on the moon. He rallied an entire country behind him in an age where the technology did not exist to accomplish the goal. Climate change provides us with a challenge even more daunting than reaching the moon. Today we have the technology to rise to the challenge. What we lack is the political will. A power shift is needed to change the political climate instead of the climate of our planet; A power shift to a clean, renewable energy economy and a more peaceful, just and sustainable world.

To Cross the Moon (2XTM) is an eco-friendly snowkiting expedition across North Dakota to raise awareness for wind energy and climate change. From the U.S.- Canadian Border in the north to the state line in the south, extreme endurance athletes Sam Salwei, Jason Magness, and Paul Cassidy will snowkite 370 miles across the frigid winter moonscape of North Dakota. Carrying everything they need on their backs for the three-week expedition, the trio will make the journey propelled solely by the wind’s energy. Driven not only by their quest for adventure and extreme challenges, but also by their passion for empowering and inspiring society to see the potential for wind energy as a meaningful and essential energy sources in the fight against climate change. The team is supported by a media team of 4 young photographers and videographers, and an education team of 3 specialists who will speak in schools across the state throughout the expedition.

Learn more about the expedition and follow along online at www.2xtm.com.

Listen to the final dispatch from Team 2XTM: