“Our generation can change the future, and you are giving us the knowledge, skills and opportunities to help us do just that.” That’s an impressive big-picture statement coming from a high school student, but thanks to a partnership between Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center (PWELC) in Spicer and the Southwest Initiative Foundation (SWIF), many youth throughout southwest and west central Minnesota area taking a big-picture look at the energy opportunities and challenges in our region.  More importantly, these youth are using what they learn to put energy into our future.

The Youth Energy Summit (YES!) was conceived as a means to engage the power of youth in truly making a difference in their community, and in the world, through energy conservation and community-based energy projects, said Dave Pederson, executive director of PWELC.  “If renewable energy is the future, why not let those with the most at stake help set the course?” Pederson asked.

YES! consists of a two-day summit where teams of 8th through 12th grade students are educated about issues and opportunities related to renewable energy in a hands-on environment, learn from energy resources and industry experts and be energized to take on an energy action project in their home communities.  Projects range from campaigning for efficient lighting and providing reusable cotton bags at local grocery stores to greening buidlings and constructing a wind turbine.

The teams’ goal is to achieve the greatest positive social, economic and environmental gains through their projects as part of a “co-opetition,” cooperative teamwork with a competitive edge.  Participating teams meet and work on their projects with the guidance of their coach and YES! staff, attend energy workshops and finally convene on Earth Day 2008 to share their projects and learn which team wins the co-opetition.

This project is just one example of the more proactive grant-making the Southwest Initiative Foundation began in Fiscal Year 2007.  The $20,000 grant to PWELC provided funds to support a staff position to coordinate the summit, follow-up activities related to the co-opetition, mid-year workshops and the culminating event on Earth Day 2008. 

The Youth Energy Summit is also a primary component of SWIF’s Renewable Energy Awareness Program (REAP), a program to develop southwest Minnesota’s renewable energy asset sector by building the skill and career pathways for this industry and educating the youth of the region on renewable energy opportunities.

For more information about the Youth Energy Summit (YES!), visit www.prairiewoodselc.org/YES.