Submitted by Friends of the San Juans.

Every December, high school environmental clubs from around the region gather at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve for a full day of sharing, collaborating and exploring creative solutions for climate change and other environmental issues.

Twelve students from the Friday Harbor High School Eco Club proudly participated in this year’s Youth Earth Summit under the guidance of Jess Newley from Friends of the San Juans, science teacher Sam Garson from Friday Harbor High School and Katie Fleming from San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship.

A highlight of this year’s conference was the student-led session titled “Getting Involved in Local Politics,” designed and facilitated by our own Friday Harbor High School Eco Club members. The students shared their firsthand experiences visiting Olympia during the state legislative session, including what they learned, why civic engagement matters and how other youth can get involved in shaping environmental policy. The session wrapped up with a postcard-writing activity, where Eco Club members guided participants through finding contact information for their own state representatives and crafting clear, compelling messages to elected officials.

Eco Club member Ella Cohen said, “This is one of my absolute favorite Eco Club occasions all year; I am so grateful to our hosts at the Padilla Bay Research Center and of the experts who hosted lectures and activities. Youth voices are powerful, and to not only share that message, but to write letters together and plan for future trips with everyone was pretty epic. I can’t wait for next year!”

Friends’ education programs empower youth to become confident advocates for the Salish Sea by combining hands-on science with real-world civic engagement. “Watching these student leaders find the power of their voice and then turn around and teach others how to use theirs was incredibly inspiring,” said Jess Newley, education director at Friends of the San Juans. “This is what youth leadership looks like in action.”

Friends of the San Juans’ engagement with the Friday Harbor Eco Club is made possible through grants from the Madrona Institute and the San Juan Island Community Foundation, and contributions from Friends’ members.