Governor Newsom announces California’s first Environmental Youth Advisory Council, empowering the next generation of climate leaders

ANTALYA, TÜRKIYE – From COP31, Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the first 14 members of California’s Environmental Youth Advisory Council (Youth Council), affirming that young people have a role not only in inheriting the future, but in building it.

The inaugural cohort selected by the California Environmental Protection Agency brings together young Californians ages 14 to 20 from across the state to share their experiences and ideas, build leadership skills, and make recommendations to inform California’s environmental policies and programs. Through the council, members will learn from state environmental officials and bring forward perspectives on the challenges facing their communities, recognizing that change sparked locally can inspire action across California, the nation, and the world.

“Young people everywhere will inherit the environmental legacy we build today,” said California Secretary for Environmental Protection, Yana Garcia. “The lived experiences and diverse perspectives of the extraordinary Youth Council members are vital to ensuring our state’s environmental policies protect the most vulnerable communities and pave the way for a more resilient future.”

Representing California’s diverse communities

Selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 300 applicants, the inaugural members reflect California’s geographical, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity.

Young people are no strangers to the effects of wildfires, extreme heat, flooding, poor air quality, and other pollution. The Youth Council creates an opportunity to share those experiences directly with California’s environmental officials and contribute ideas for a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient future.

The inaugural cohort members:

• Arsenia Briones — San Joaquin County

• Abby Costello — San Diego County

• Lauren Ferran — Alameda County

• Magnus Figueroa — Sonoma County

• Max Gomez — San Bernardino County

• Christopher Kricorian — Ventura County

• Bettina Lee — San Bernardino County 

• Nicholas Munkhbaatar — Sacramento County

• Neha Prabhakar — Stanislaus County

• Ceasar Cano Ramos — Fresno County

• Sofia Reyes — Orange County

• Isabelle Shapiro — Los Angeles County

• Amari Sims — Santa Clara County

• Precious Zaraspe — Los Angeles County

Building a framework for California’s next generation of environmental leaders

The mission of the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) is to restore, protect, and enhance the environment, to ensure public health, environmental quality, and economic vitality for all Californians.

CalEPA established the Youth Council to strengthen communication and collaboration between California’s young people and the agency and its boards, departments, and offices. The council combines opportunities to share ideas and make recommendations with hands-on learning and leadership development.

The first official meeting will take place in December. During this inaugural term, the council members will:

• Share ideas and recommendations: Offer youth perspectives on environmental policies and programs addressing climate change, air quality, clean water, and waste management.

• Advance environmental justice: Elevate the voices of communities most impacted by pollution and health hazards.

• Engage their peers: Lead public awareness initiatives to foster civic and environmental engagement among young Californians.

• Identify youth priorities: Focus on issues that matter to their generation, including climate action, clean air and water, and community health.

• Build leadership skills: Work directly with state environmental officials to learn how policies and programs are developed and implemented.

The cohort will participate in periodic virtual meetings throughout the year, alongside a scheduled annual in-person meeting, to collaborate directly with state decision-makers. After this initial one-year pilot, the program is scheduled to transition to full two-year council terms starting in Fall 2027, with up to 20 council members.

For more information regarding the council’s mission or future application cycles, please visit the official CalEPA Youth Council Page.

Empowering young Californians to lead

Since the beginning of his administration, Governor Newsom has made investing in the next generation of leaders a priority by expanding opportunities for young people to lead, serve their communities, build careers, and help shape the decisions that will define their future.

Through youth commissions and advisory bodies — including the California Teen Tech Council, the California Youth Empowerment Commission, the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls Youth Advisory Council — young Californians are bringing their experiences and ideas directly to policymakers to help advance solutions on issues that matter to their lives.

California is also connecting young people to paid service and career pathways through the California Conservation Corps and the California Service Corps, including the California Climate Action Corps, College Corps, and Youth Service Corps. These programs put young Californians to work in their communities, provide hands-on training and valuable experience, build leadership and technical skills, and help participants develop the networks they need to launch their careers.