The Naperville Environment and Sustainability Task Force (NEST) is announcing the launch of the NEST Youth Team. NEST Youth Team will tackle local issues of sustainability and the climate crisis, while learning how local actions connect to the region and the planet.
High school and college students who live or study in and around Naperville are invited to join NEST Youth Team, which will be student-led with support from current NEST leadership.
Kylie Taczynski, a senior at Metea Valley High School, first reached out to Cathy Clarkin, Chair of NEST, about creating a sustainability hub at the Alive Center in Naperville. “This is something I’m passionate about and I know we can make a difference, starting right here in Naperville,” Taczynski said. “I am excited about the work NEST is doing. I believe myself and other students have a lot to contribute.”
Clarkin said she “jumped at the chance to include younger people in our mission” when Taczynski reached out to her.
Clarkin continued: “Kylie’s presence and passion came through last summer when she offered public comment at the August City Council Sustainability Workshop. She is already a great leader.”
Clarkin added that NEST will assist with recruitment and will offer guidance and mentoring for the NEST Youth Team.
However, the Team will operate in line with the Alive Center’s mission, “teen-led, teen-driven,” so the Team’s projects will come out of their own ideas and passions. Clarkin noted, “whether they tackle waste in schools, advocate for electric school buses, or undertake nature-based stewardship projects, there are plenty of ways for students to contribute.”
The first meeting of the NEST Youth Team was held via Zoom on Feb. 15. Future meetings will be held at the Alive Center on Fifth Ave.
High school and college students interested in attending should visit www.sustainnaperville.org and look for the information about the first meeting, which includes a Zoom registration link.
