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Exciting News! California Environmental Youth Advisory Council Established
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On June 18, 2026, in furtherance of CalEPA’s mission and in recognition of the need for California youth engagement on environmental concerns, CalEPA Secretary Yana Garcia established the California Environmental Youth Advisory Council (Youth Council) through a policy memorandum.
CalEPA recognizes that California’s young people will inherit complex environmental challenges, as well as the improvements and protections put in place today. The Youth Council creates a new way for youth to advise CalEPA and its Boards, Departments and Office (BDOs) on pressing environmental issues.
The Youth Council will serve as a youth-led advisory body to CalEPA and its BDOs with three main functions:
- Serve as a way to engage California’s youth in meaningful dialogue with CalEPA and its BDOs on environmental issues;
- Create space for mentorship and education on environmental advocacy that will empower young people to contribute to environmental stewardship;
- Elevate youth perspectives and priorities to be recommended in state-level environmental decision-making processes.
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Eligibility
Applicants are limited to California residents and/or members of California Native American Tribes between 14 and 20 years of age.
- Out-of-state residents attending school in California are not eligible to apply.
Per the Youth Council’s Secretarial Memo, a minimum of one Council seat is reserved for California Native American Tribal youth.
Application
The application period will open later this summer. Applications will be posted on CalEPA’s website. Sign up for CalEPA’s Youth Council email list to be notified when the application period opens or visit calepa.ca.gov/youthcouncil for more information.
- One Letter of Recommendation is required.
- The Letter of Recommendation can be from:
- An advisor (academic advisor, teacher, research advisor, etc.)
- Peer (classmate, colleague, etc.)
- The Letter of Recommendation cannot be from a family member.
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Membership
The Youth Council’s Inaugural Cohort will consist of ten members and will function as a one-year pilot program to:
- Test the council’s structure and refine its processes
- Establish best practices for full implementation in future terms
- Adopt founding governance documents
Members will participate in periodic virtual meetings and may include one in-person meeting. The Youth Council will be composed of California youth representing the state’s geographically, culturally, socioeconomically and racially diverse communities, including tribes, urban and rural communities, and communities most impacted by environmental and health hazards.
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Environmental Justice, Tribal Relations, Education and Outreach Team
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