Youth Climate Advocacy Committee Member Application
Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens seeks a cohort of high school and college-age youth to be part of our Youth Climate Advocacy Committee. We are seeking a diverse group with a wide range of skills and interests, especially in areas of the arts, science, technology, and community outreach. We encourage those with a strong passion for the environment and education to apply. Since this committee will be youth-led, we value strong motivation, creativity, enthusiasm, and teamwork.
YCAC Member Role Description:
The Youth Climate Advocacy Committee is comprised of two leaders, three to four team leads and 20-30 youth members. Being a committee member is a stipend-based position beginning on October 8, 2025 and ending in April 15, 2026. Committee members can expect to attend regular meetings on Wednesday nights from 6 - 8pm at Phipps Conservatory and perform committee tasks averaging 2-3 hours per week.
Eligibility:
All applicants must be between 16 and 23 years old by October 1 to apply for this opportunity. Applicants should be high school or college-aged, but do not have to be currently enrolled in school to apply. Applicants should have an interest in climate action, the environment and/or justice issues.
Summary of Responsibilities:
Responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:
- Work closely with other youth, Phipps staff and other organizations on advocacy projects of your choice in the Pittsburgh community. Advocacy projects should have a climate change/environmental justice focus and should aim to build relationships and have a lasting impact in the community. Projects are entirely youth-driven and supported by Phipps
- Collaborate with other young people to learn and grow, work together on joint advocacy projects, and share resources and knowledge
- Attend meetings and workshops on science communication, climate advocacy, environmental justice, leadership, and project planning
- Discuss environmental topics such as water quality and management, food systems, natural resources, ecology, green technology, environmental justice and education best practices
- Guide Phipps Conservatory in educating the community about climate action and environmental justice
* Stipends are limited; applicants not selected as committee members will be encouraged to participate in other ways.
Additional Leadership Opportunity: Critical Action Lab Junior Fellow
In addition to their role in the Youth Climate Advocacy Committee, we are seeking two youth to participate in the virtual Critical Action Lab (CAL) program through the Natural History Museum of Utah. CAL brings together youth from around the country for virtual sessions to work on developing climate action, communication and story-telling, and critical thinking skills. Junior fellows will bring what they learn in CAL back to YCAC to deepen understanding and skill development within the committee. Junior fellows are paid an additional stipend for their participation.
Eligibility
Junior fellows must be at least 16 years old and should be either sophomores or juniors in high school. We hope that junior CAL fellows will return to participate in the 2026-2027 cohort as senior CAL fellows; the ability and desire to do so is prioritized in our selection process for this position.
Summary of Responsibilities:
In addition to the role and responsibilities listed above for YCAC members, junior CAL fellow responsibilities include, but may not be limited to:
- Maintain excellent meeting attendance at virtual CAL meetings on weekends from October to May/June. Meetings will occur at least once per month, with more frequent meetings at the beginning of the year. A schedule will be shared closer to the start date.
- Network with and engage young people in other organizations and cities; model resource-sharing and collaboration between other like-minded youth.
- Participate in a CAL committee of your choice (network, skills, stories/social media, projects)
- Help plan events or activities that encourage more people in the community to be involved in climate action (such as a climate game night, youth summit, etc.)
- Collect video footage and photography to capture the events, activities, your working group(s)’ planning process and implementation. Complete “Lab Notes” videos and create social posts to document progress.
* If you are interested in applying for the junior CAL fellow position, please note this in your YCAC member application and in your creative submission.
How to Apply
Interested youth should submit an application and a creative submission.
Creative Submission: Using one of the following formats, please describe why you would like to be on our Youth Climate Advocacy Committee. Submissions can be videos, slide decks with or without presentations, songs, comics, artwork, posters, written stories or essays (one to two typed pages max), or any other medium that can be used to appropriately answer the following questions:
- Your motivations for participating in the Phipps Youth Climate Advocacy Committee
- What you can contribute to the committee and to our advocacy work
- How you feel you can be an effective communicator to a diverse audience (e.g. age, background, personality)
- How this opportunity will benefit your education and career goals
- Environmental topics that you are passionate about
Creative Submissions must be in the following formats: PDF, Word document, PowerPoint, or link to a YouTube video or Google Drive file (must be set to share with anyone who has the link).
Please submit your application and essay (via email, mail or online form below) to the Youth Climate Advocacy Coordinator by Sun., Sept. 7, 2025 at 11:59pm. If you have any questions, feel free to email or call during business hours (Mon-Fri, 9:30 - 5pm).
Contact Information:
Jennifer Torrance, Youth Climate Advocacy Coordinator
One Schenley Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
jtorrance@phipps.conservatory.org
412-622-6915, ext. 3230
Questions? Contact Jennifer Torrance, Science Education Coordinator at jtorrance@phipps.conservatory.org or 412-622-6915, ext. 3230.
