Welcome & Interactive Kick Off
10 - 10:50AM
YEAS Student Ambassadors will introduce you to the Youth Summit before we kick off the day with an interactive session imagining an environmentally friendly community with partners at the City of Salisbury and Salisbury University Environmental Studies students and faculty. Your feedback, dreams, and ideas will add to ongoing conversations to support the greening of the Eastern Shore.
*We'll start right at 10AM so consider arriving a bit early to check in and catch up with friends.
Session 1
11 - 11:40AM
Choose to attend one of the following sessions (note: some sessions will have a cap based on availability of space):
Action Project Success Stories (Sara-elah Hoffman, Anthony More, and Ryland Weaver)
Get inspired by stories from three students who each lead successful action projects supported by YEAS. You'll also hear their tips about leading your own action project.
Creating Climate Change Art (Salisbury University Students - Art, Nature, Culture Course)
Get creative in interpreting the success story of our generation! Join SU students in creating art related to climate solutions. These pieces will be curated into a pop-up exhibit this spring.
Food for Thought (Rachael Funchess and Kara Lewis)
Session description coming soon!
Kayaking Schumaker Pond (Salisbury University Environmental Science)
Spend your session on the pond exploring some of the wildlife found in our aquatic ecosystems. Jackets recommended, students must wear provided life vests.
Session 2
11:50 - 12:30PM
Choose to attend one of the following sessions (note: some sessions will have a cap based on availability of space):
So You Want to Be an Environmentalist... (Maryland Coastal Bays Program)
Are you passionate about helping the environment, but not sure what you want to do when you grow up? Lawyers, writers, artists, rock climbers, engineers, doctors, and so many more professions can all help protect our environment! Join the Maryland Coastal Bays Program and explore the world of environmental jobs and learn how we are all connected to each other.
Creating Climate Change Art (Salisbury University Students - Art, Nature, Culture Course)
Get creative in interpreting the success story of our generation! Join SU students in creating art related to climate solutions. These pieces will be curated into a pop-up exhibit this spring.
Action Project Presentations
This session is for students who are coming to YEAS with an action project idea that they are hoping to win funding for. Attend if you are presenting about your action project idea or just to learn about what might be happening in your community this spring/summer!
Benefits of Mine Reclamation on Local Ecosystems (Joe Chen and Anthony More) + Proper Disposal of Waste and How You Can Lower Your Carbon Footprint (Ayati Sangwan)
This session centers around fossil fuels and how we can work toward both structural and individual changes to decarbonize. During the first part of this session, learn about one of the biggest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, mines, and what we can do to reclaim these areas. In the second part of this session, we’ll dig into how to lower your carbon footprint through simple shifts in your lifestyle.
Interpretation Through Birding (Ward Museum)
How can we inspire other people to actively protect the natural world? Learn some tricks and strategies to get other people excited about conservation by participating in a bird walk around Schumaker Pond. Discover the various birds that call the Eastern Shore home, the things that make them unique, and some strategies for protecting them - then get ready to pass it on! Jackets and comfortable shoes recommended.
Lunch
12:30 - 1:10PM
Relax and recharge under the tent for lunch. All food served at YEAS is vegetarian in an effort to lessen our collective carbon footprint (check out Rachael and Kara's session during Session 2 to learn more about this!).
Session 3
1:10 - 1:50PM
Choose to attend one of the following sessions (note: some sessions will have a cap based on availability of space):
Threats to Our Ocean's Ecosystems (Sid Ghosh and Sara-elah Hoffman)
Learn about some of our local aquatic creatures and their role in supporting ocean ecosystems. We’ll debunk some myths, share facts, and have some fun hands-on activities. Finally, we’ll end thinking about how YOU can do your part in saving the ocean.
Creating Climate Change Art (Salisbury University Students - Art, Nature, Culture Course)
Get creative in interpreting the success story of our generation! Join SU students in creating art related to climate solutions. These pieces will be curated into a pop-up exhibit this spring.
The Truth Behind Animal Testing + Environmentally & Socially Conscious DIY (Anayeli Galvan Tello, Kate Vazquez, Abrielle Villegas, and Detbra Rosales)
Learn about what animal testing is and how it affects over 100 million animals per year along with an effect on the environment. You'll also get the chance to DIY your own environmentally and socially conscious beauty and home products.
Kayaking Schumaker Pond (Salisbury University Environmental Science)
Spend your session on the pond exploring some of the wildlife found in our aquatic ecosystems. Jackets recommended, students must wear provided life vests.
Awards Ceremony & Celebration
2:00 - 2:30PM
Whether you submitted a proposal or not, you'll want to join us to wrap up an inspirational and impactful day. We'll be sharing about next steps, how to stay involved in YEAS, and celebrating! Oh, and we'll be announcing which action project proposals will receive funding for implementation.