Recent Headlines
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ESF to Host 200-plus Students for Annual CNY Youth Climate Summit
SYRACUSE, NY — Feb. 6, 2026 — More than 200 middle and high school students and their teachers from across the region will immerse themselves in environmental engagement at the CNY Youth Climate Summit at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Saturday, Feb. 7.
Students will hear from environmental experts, connect with educators and professionals, and create climate action plans for their schools and communities. They will also participate in a green career/engagement fair where they can explore potential career paths and volunteer opportunities.
Throughout the day, students will attend presentations, meet with professionals, and work in school-based groups to design action plans focused on combating climate change and increasing community resilience.
"This is a really wonderful experience for the students and for us as educators,” said Daniel Collins, associate director of ESF in the High School. “It's incredible to see so many passionate students coming in on a Saturday to not just learn, but focus on how they can take action in their local community to solve problems.”
Jim Teske, chief meteorologist for WSYR NewsChannel 9, is this year’s keynote speaker. Molly Jacobson, ESF pollinator ecologist, will talk about building effective and resilient urban pollinator habitats.
The summit is organized by the NYS Masters Teachers, many of whom are ESF alumni.
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.