(Washington, D.C.) EarthEcho International, a proven environmental education leader committed to engaging and empowering this generation of youth leaders, is bringing young environmental stewards from around the world to its annual Youth Leadership Summit. The gathering is held August 8-11 at the National 4-H Conference Center just outside of Washington D.C. During the Summit, EarthEcho convenes returning and new members of its Youth Leadership Council (YLC) comprised of 18 young environmental champions from the United States, Australia, Canada and Chile, ages 15-22, as well as 21 youth ambassadors who support the EarthEcho Water Challenge.

“The EarthEcho Youth Leadership Summit provides us with the opportunity to learn from our organization’s dynamic, young environmental champions as well as provide them with an opportunity to hear from experienced leaders from a broad range of organizations and areas of expertise,” said EarthEcho International President Philippe Cousteau, Jr.

During the three-day Summit, participants well hear from speakers addressing issues and topics including environmental policy and justice, partnership development, career paths and effective communication. Speakers include Philippe Cousteau, Jr., as well as representatives from NOAA and Earth Day Network. Additionally, Xylem Watermark’s Corporate Social Investment Program Coordinator, Emma Housman, will lead a session focused on best practices for developing community engagement programs, and Xylem’s Learning and Development Manager, Charlie Cook, and Xylem’s Senior Director of Leadership Development & Change Management, Stephen Kalish, will lead a session on Personal and Leadership Development.

‍

About the YLC & Water Challenge Ambassadors

The EarthEcho YLC helps to expand the impact of the organization’s worldwide programs and partnerships. Serving two-year terms, YLC members provide guidance for the organization’s programs and resources; advise partner organizations and other external groups on the development of youth strategies; represent EarthEcho at events, conferences and trainings; and serve as ambassadors for EarthEcho programs by executing environmental service projects in their local communities. During this time, YLC members gain valuable professional development training and are provided an opportunity to hone their leadership skills through speaking engagements and hands-on projects. The work of the YLC is made possible through the support of Bezos Family Foundation, the Estée Lauder Companies Charitable Foundation, the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation, the Northrop Grumman Corporation and the Starbucks Foundation.

EarthEcho’s Water Challenge Ambassadors are a group of young leaders with a specific focus to expand the impact of the EarthEcho Water Challenge through local community action. Water Challenge Ambassadors lead water quality monitoring efforts in their community on a monthly basis. They also create digital content for EarthEcho’s online platforms, highlighting their work and solutions to the challenges facing their local waterways.  Ambassadors receive ongoing professional development and support to ultimately develop, implement and evaluate a water monitoring event engaging at least 20 community members for World Water Monitoring Day (September 18). The EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors’ work is made possible through the support of Xylem Watermark.

Visit our Youth Leadership Council page or Water Challenge Ambassadors page to learn more about the authentic work led by the youth of EarthEcho.

About EarthEcho International

EarthEcho International’s mission is to inspire young people worldwide to act now for a sustainable future. We are a nonprofit 501c3 organization founded in 2000 by siblings Philippe and Alexandra Cousteau in honor of their father Philippe Cousteau Sr., son of the legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau. EarthEcho’s 21st century tools and interactive resources equip youth to identify and solve environmental challenges starting in their own communities. For more information about EarthEcho International, visit www.earthecho.org. Follow us on Facebook and @EarthEcho on Twitter and Instagram.

‍