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The County of San Mateo has added a translation feature developed by Google Translate to assist web visitors in understanding information on this website in a variety of foreign languages. Please be aware that Google Translate, a free third party service which the County does not control, provides automated computer translations that may not give you an exact translation. The County cannot guarantee the accuracy of translations through Google Translate so translations should not be considered exact and only used as a rough guide. Anyone relying on information obtained from Google Translate does so at his or her own risk. The County disclaims and will not accept any liability for damages or losses of any kind caused by the use of the Google Translate feature.

one student in Youth Climate Ambassadors program presents to two other students
YOUTH CLIMATE AMBASSADORS
Empowering
youth and schools to take action.

Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program

Youth Climate Ambassadors (YCA) is an eight-month leadership program that empowers 9-12th graders to become local climate leaders, fostering youth-led action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and cultivate resilient, sustainable communities.

Climate change is one of the largest issues facing society. While climate change will touch the lives of many, younger generations will be the ones to witness and experience some of the most extreme environmental changes due to a rapidly changing planet. Actions today play an important role in shaping the future of tomorrow. The YCA Leadership Program aims to ensure younger generations have the skills and knowledge to play a leadership role in taking action on climate change.

Together, Citizens Environmental Council of Burlingame, Peninsula Clean Energy, San Mateo County Office of Education, and the County of San Mateo’s Sustainability Department have partnered to create the YCA Leadership Program to grow and support emerging climate leaders across San Mateo County.

Applications are now closed for the 2025-26 cohort.

If you would like to know when the next cohort application opens, please email youthclimateambassadors@smcgov.org.

Major YCA Program Elements

Empowering youth to become local climate leaders through leadership and skills building.

Youth Climate Ambassadors Leadership Program students work together in classroom on project attaching strips of fabric with writing on them to wooden frame

Retreats

Throughout the program, students attend three in-person retreats to explore topics in sustainability, build networks, develop skills, and brainstorm solutions to climate related issues. YCA students get to meet peers from across the county and engage in meaningful conversations about climate action and leadership.

screenshot of many students and YCA mentors on Zoom

Workshops

The cohort meets one to two times each month for an evening of community building and knowledge sharing. In these two-hour virtual workshops, students learn about environmental issues, climate science, and environmental justice and craft innovative solutions to driving change across the county.

two Youth Climate Ambassador Leadership Program students working on a pollinator garden as a community impact project

Community Impact Projects

The program culminates in a hands-on Community Impact Project (CIP) that applies their acquired knowledge and skills to address a real-world problem in San Mateo County. Students work together to plan and execute projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create a more resilient and sustainable community.

Learn more
Youth Climate Ambassador students and mentor work on a poster project together

Mentorship

YCA staff and supporters provide mentorship for students throughout the program. Students will meet local environmental leaders and join a network of folks working on sustainability and climate issues across San Mateo County, connecting with a vast network or local environmental organizations who want to uplift and support student initiatives and learning.

Program Partners

YCA is made possible through a collaboration of non-profit organizations, agencies, and local government teaming up to support youth action on climate change.

The Latest News & Events

Compost Workshop
May
12
Compost Workshop

Learn how easy and fun it is to recycle your fruit and vegetable scraps, leaves, and plant cuttings into compost in these free workshops! These workshops teach composting options suitable for those with or without a backyard. Apartment dwellers welcome! Compost provides valuable nutrients for your garden soil, helps retain moisture, which saves water, prevents erosion, loosens clay and compacted soils for better drainage, and suppresses weeds. It is rewarding to know you are turning what some consider waste into precious organic material for your garden.

Discounts and rebates for backyard compost and worm compost bins will be distributed to San Mateo County residents!

COMPOST WORKSHOP

Date: May 12, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Atherton
Register here.

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