“Young San Antonio residents are eager to participate in local and global climate conversations to advocate for climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience. I am proud of the Youth Engagement Council and its influence on our City’s sustainability efforts.”
Ron Nirenberg, San Antonio Mayor
In San Antonio, high school students are tackling the great challenge of their generation: nurturing a movement for community climate resilience. During the 2023–2024 school year, 31 youth from across San Antonio turned their passion into action as members of the Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council forClimate Initiatives. In its fourth year, the council has reached new students, supported returning Council members in stepping up as leaders, and deepened its engagement with local community organizations.
“The most important thing I learned from participating in the Youth Council
is action matters. Even if it’s a small action, it still makes a difference. This
awareness has made me adopt more sustainable practices in my daily life. It
has also made me realize the importance of individual action and collective
action in protecting our environment.”
23–24 Mayor’s Youth Engagement Council Participant
The Council’s mission is to activate San Antonio’s next generation of climate champions by providing them with tools to engage in community issues around climate, environmental policy, and environmental justice. In partnership with the City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability, council members learned from city officials, local organizations, and environmental justice leaders about the intersections of the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, community resilience strategies, justice, and equity. This included a technical visit to the Olmos Dam with the City’s Public Works department, a hands-on exploration of sustainable food systems and urban resilience strategies at the Pearl Farmers Market, and in-depth engagements with local non-profits, including the Garcia Street Urban Farm, SA College’s Eco Centro, the SA Food Bank, and the SA River Foundation.
Energized by their field experiences, Council members designed initiatives that engaged community members in learning tangible climate resilience strategies and taking climate action. The Council presented their hard work and dedication at the 6th Annual San Antonio Student Innovation Showcase. Attendees Mayor Ron Nirenberg and Assistant City Manager David McCary spoke about the Youth Council’s dedication and praised the students’ real-world impact. Meet the council teams and explore their community initiatives by expanding the sections below.
Green Spaces + Urban Sustainability
Council member projects, such as educating about green walls and creating seed bombs for community members, focused on the development and maintenance of public green spaces within urban environments. Council members explored the role of parks, green infrastructure, and sustain ability initiatives in promoting environmental health and community well-being. By studying the impact of green spaces on urban ecosystems and human quality of life, students provided valuable insights for community members and city leaders.
Aubrey (she/her), 15
My name is Aubrey, and I am a 10th grader at Incarnate Word High School. I represent District 6. I hope to help get the community more engaged in climate change by bringing light to these issues and getting more help to put a pause on the rapid change.
Iliana (she/her), 17
My name is Iliana. I am a 12th grader and the president of the environmental club at my school, Travis Early College High School. I represent District 7. I joined the Council to gain experience and prepare myself for a career in environmental engineering. I love to explore new ideas and create innovative solutions to solve problems because I am passionate about art and STEM. I want to impact my city through its urban makeup and tourism outreach. I also love to up cycle my art.
Gabriella V. (she/her), 17
My name is Gabriella V. I am a senior at Lee High School, and I represent District 1. I wanted to join theYouth Council to address and advocate the pressing issues of climate change and gain valuable information, in addition to what I already know, of the causes of climate change, its consequences, and potential solutions. For the future of my city, along with other cities all over the globe, I want to contribute to efforts to combat climate change and create an environmentally sustainable community that provides a high quality of life for its residents.
Madison (she/her), 16
My name is Madison, and I’m a junior at Incarnate Word High School. I represent District 1. I wanted to join this council to make a positive impact in my community and preserve the beauty San Antonio has to offer
Jiovanni (he/him), 17
Hello, my name is Jiovanni. I’m in 12th grade, attend Thomas Jefferson High School, and represent District 7. I wanted to join this council because I enjoy advocating for important causes in our society.Our community can grow together and create a healthy and brighter future for the current times as well as the future generations.
Community Health and Resilience
Council members in this group explored strategies and policies that promote community health and resilience in the face of environmental challenges. They investigated the interconnectedness of public health, safety, and community cohesion and identified approaches that foster resilience in the midst of changing conditions. To bring what they learned to life, these Council members participated in community health fairs and provided resources for community health services.
Alexa (she/her), 16
Hello. My Name is Alexa, and I am in 11th grade at Young Women’s Leadership Academy. I represent District 3. I wanted to join the council to spread awareness of climate change and create a bigger impact in my community. I love nature, and I hope that in the future, we can find better ways to preserve it.
Kirat (he/him), 16
Greetings. My name is Kirat. I am in the 11th grade, attend CAST Tech High School, and represent District 1. I intend to join the council to learn more about climate change, voice my concerns about the environment, and make a positive environmental change within San Antonio. An increase in pollution has worsened San Antonio’s air quality over the past few years, so I would like to see less pollution and better air quality in San Antonio.
Martha (she/her), 16
Hello. My name is Martha. I attend the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and represent District 9. I wanted to join the council to be more involved with my community and meet other young individuals with similar interests and goals. In the future, environmental education should be widespread, fostering a mindset of environmental stewardship in current and future generations. I aspire to see a world where governments, businesses, and individuals work hand-in-hand to implement policies and adopt behaviors that lead to a healthier, more sustainable planet for future generations.
Olivia (she/her), 16
My name is Olivia Arredondo, and I am a junior at Young Women’s Leadership Academy. I represent District 5. I joined the council to help spread awareness in San Antonio.
Saanvi (she/her), 15
My name is Saanvi, and I am a 10th grader at BASIS Shavano. I represent District 9. Through the council, I hope to gain more awareness about how climate change affects San Antonio’s people and what I can do to help them. I practice yoga and try my best to recycle and avoid plastics, but I feel I should do more on a larger scale. In the future, I hope to see the government of San Antonio take bold action to protect the environment with the community’s help!
True (she/her), 16
Hi! My name is True, and I am a junior at Idea Brackenridge College Prep and represent District 4. I wanted to join the council to get involved with my community and make a change. I want to provide opportunities for people to get more educated on climate change, learn how they can help, and provide aid in these times of extreme weather.
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Resilience
This group of Council members explored strategies for improving biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems. Their projects investigated the importance of protecting species, habitats, and ecological processes and identified practices that can enhance the resilience of San Antonio in the face of climate change. Council members educated their community about how to foster biodiversity and donated native plants to public spaces and schools.
Caroleena (she/her), 17
I am a senior at Judson Early College Academy and represent District 2. I have always had a deep love for keeping our planet sustainably green, which is why I joined this council. I am also the founder of my school’s EcoScholars group, and I started a recycling and composting program there to bring green resources to my school. Having our voices heard is important to making a much-needed change.
Catherine (she/her), 16
I am Catherine, a junior at the International School of the Americas, representing District 9. I joined theCouncil to learn more about how to make a change in my community and connect with others who share my passion for environmental activism and sustainability. It is important to communicate our knowledge, opinions, and ideas about climate challenges with each other. I enjoy spending time outside in nature and would like to encourage more urban green spaces in San Antonio.
Chase (he/him), 17
Hi, my name is Chase Samuel. I go to Tom C. Clark high-school and represent District 8. I go to church, I play water polo and I love to play my guitars. I sought the Youth Council because I can account first hand to weather changes and the impact not only of the world but that San Antonio has had in regards to the environment. Having taken classes like World Affairs, AP Environmental Science, and Human Geography, while also working as a lifeguard, I have accumulated a mass of knowledge that concerns me of what our future may hold if we do not change how we are impacting our environment. I hope to see changes implemented that not only help low-income housing in a soon to be epidemic of heatstroke and rolling blackouts due to rising temperatures, but also getting together and working to help my city.
Najia (she/ her), 15
I am a sophomore at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy and represent District 7. I wanted to join this council to learn more about climate change and hopefully make a difference in directly impacting my community in San Antonio regarding energy efficiency.
Saadhana (she/her), 16
I am a junior at Ronald Reagan High School, representing District 9. I want to connect with people of similar interests to my age and make a positive impact in my community. I hope that we have a cleaner environment for generations to come.
Sakthi (she/ her), 16
My name is Sakthi. I am a junior at Health Careers High School and represent District 8. I want to be able to support communities near me and see them thrive in the future and set a good example for future generations. Our city has had drastic weather conditions over the past few years and that has really concerned me. With global warming peaking,I don’t want anyone to suffer from these kinds of climate issues therefore I would like to be a part of the Youth Council and bring changes to better people and the environment.
Food Access & Local Agriculture
Council member projects explored the intersection of urban agriculture and sustainable food systems inSan Antonio. Their projects investigated the potential ways food could be grown within cities, learning about community gardens, rooftop farming, hydroponic systems, and more. Council members contributed what they learned about the benefits and challenges of urban agriculture to food systems leaders and hosted a community food drive.
Delia (she/her), 15
Hi, my name is Delia Espinoza. I’m a sophomore at CAST Tech High School, representing District 5. I’ve always been interested in keeping up and learning more about the social, economic, and environmental issues faced in the world, but most importantly, in our very own communities. I hope to further educate myself on these issues and how they all connect to one another, not only for myself but to better understand them to bring this knowledge to my peers and community. I’m excited to meet with others who share my interests and concerns to find ways to take action and bring real change.
Emily (she/her), 15
Hi, my name is Emily, and I am a Johnson High School sophomore representing District 9. I wanted to join the council to make a positive change in the community and to become more informed about the climate issues affecting our community. I hope San Antonio will become a more sustainable and eco-friendly city in the future.
Gabriella P (she/her), 17
Hi, my name is Gabriella. I represent District 7, and I’m a senior at Foxtech High School. I wanted to join the council to learn more about climate change and how I can help my community. I hope to see more green spaces created and preserved for people in our community to enjoy.
Grace (she/they), 16
Hi, my name is Grace. I am aYoung Women’s Leadership Academy junior representing District 7. I wanted to join the council because of my lifelong passion for environmentalism. Throughout my life,I’ve had a strong connection with nature (going on hikes, beach camping, visiting national parks, etc.),which has caused me to want to pursue a career in environmental science. I hope to see an improvement in public transport safety in San Antonio
Julian (he/him), 15
Hi, my name is Julian. I am a sophomore at John Paul Stevens, representing District 4. I wanted to join the council to get more involved with the issue of climate change. I hope to see a clean and better San Antonio.
Lorenzo (he/him), 16
Hello, I am Lorenzo. I represent District 8 and I am a Marshall Law& Medical Services (LMS) junior in the Legal Governance and Public Administration Academy. Through my courses and as a congressional intern, I learned about real-time critical issues impacting our City, Texas, and the world, such as theCOVID-19 global pandemic, homelessness, sustainability, local and state policies, food insecurity, and mental health topics. I noticed that economic changes, environmental factors, legislation, and social justice were interwoven. Over the summer, I went to Washington, DC, asa Global Scholar to explore global challenges related to climate. By serving on this council, I will apply what I have learned to develop a project that can benefit San Antonio as we move toward a more sustainable and compassionate city.
Luis (he/him), 16
Hi, my name is Luis, and I’m in 11th grade at the International School of the Americas and represent District 9. I wanted to serve as a voice in the Youth Climate Council. I think that diverse representation is a necessity, and by taking steps to ensure all voices are heard, we can lead the way to making sure our generation is prepared to take on all of the problems that our world has to offer. I hope that through our efforts, we can live to see the day when San Antonio becomes a self-sustainable city.
EcoRise is proud of this Council cohort and can’t wait to see what they will accomplish next. These young leaders have proven that limited resources can spark community engagement and that together, we can achieve climate resilience. We are grateful to the City of San Antonio, Mayor Ron Nirenberg, the City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability, and the Hollomon Price Foundation for connecting these youth to the resources to bring their bright ideas to life!
If you are a high schooler or know any students interested in joining the San Antonio council, please follow us on Instagram at @EcoRise_Youth to learn when applications for the next council are open.
