2025 Montana Youth Climate Summit a Resounding Success!
Managing Director’s Note: We have been working with Alecia Jongeward for several years now. She recently spearheaded the second Montana Youth Climate Summit. Like the first summit in 2023, the October summit was a tremendous success. We asked her to reflect on the event so we could share with our membership. —Erica Lighthiser & Max Hjortsberg
Over a two-day gathering, I was lucky enough to watch firsthand the powerful potential of Montana's young leaders.
The 2025 Montana Youth Climate Summit, co-hosted by the Park High Green Initiative and PCEC, was more than just a conference: many of the participants simply described it as amazing, fun, and deeply soul-filling.
The event was a crucial investment in the passion, potential, and power of students across the state. By connecting the conservation challenges in our own backyard, and the global urgency of climate action, the summit helped these incredible young people grow the practical skills and connections needed to shape Montana’s future.
A personal favorite was Youth Action 101: How to Give a Public Comment, led by PCEC staff. In this session, students learned they don't need to be of voting age to influence policy decisions. Staff walked through the key parts of a public comment, using real-world examples like urging school boards to apply for funding for electric school buses, or commenting on the Department of Environmental Quality’s Greenhouse Gas Guidance document. Students were empowered to write a comment, practice, and create a direct link between local advocacy and current clean energy solutions.
There were nine total breakout sessions to choose from, but some other highlights include:
The Zine Workshop: Art for Climate Action where local artists from the Danforth Museum and the Livingston Center for Art and Culture showed how creativity can be a powerful advocacy tool, welcoming everyone regardless of art experience – just your voice, imagination, and a passion for the planet.
Clean Energy Careers led by Montana Renewable Energy Association’s Executive Director, Makenna Sellers highlighted the diverse job opportunities in Montana’s expanding renewable sector, emphasizing that jobs in policy and advocacy are just as vital as those in engineering.
Dealing with Climate and Your Mental Health was a supportive conversation for youth dealing with climate anxiety, stressing that community-building and confidence are essential forms of resilience.
Throughout the summit, the students voiced powerful demands and clear needs. When asked what they want to see in terms of climate action in Montana, their responses cut straight to the core issues, focusing on upholding Montana’s constitution, prioritizing climate over industry and a commitment to protecting what we have. They called for focused, creative solutions and open-mindedness. This generation is ready to hold those in power accountable.
The students made it clear about what they need to succeed in their missions. Running high school clubs is tough; they reported being limited by funding, time, support and skill-building, and emphasized the need for increased participation across all ages and generations.
Some of the priorities identified by attendees:
"Upholding Montana’s constitution."
"Prioritizing climate over industry & protecting what we have."
"Adults who hold space and give platforms."
"Intergenerational unity."
That is why Montana students are working on creating a MT Youth Climate Mentor Network. The students envision a system that provides more than just one-off advice. The youth want to be able to lean on each other for support and idea sharing. They are looking for access to funded opportunities and professional development, support system funding to attend events, and adults who will hold space and give them access to platforms.
They want a network focused on peer-to-peer connections, with structured, flexible meeting times, and goal-oriented, accessible deliverables that help them produce real projects. Most importantly, they identified the importance of a support system outside of the school setting and family unit that encourages intergenerational unity.
The summit's energy rounded out with powerful voices: keynote speakers Lisa Baril speaking about her research of ice patch archeology, and Dr. Shann Ray Ferch discussing compassion, gratitude and forgiveness in the face of climate disruption. We also hosted a pertinent panel discussion, featuring prominent climate leaders and youth chagemakers like Park High Senior and climate case plaintiff Jorja McCormick and University of Montana Climate Change Studies senior Maiya Roelen, who shared candid and instructive stories about their climate activism.
The 2025 Montana Youth Climate Summit was a powerful reminder that the effort to protect our state is driven by the energy and conviction of its youngest citizens. The entire event proved that a dedicated community and tangible action are the most powerful remedies for the climate challenges we all face.