Throughout the fall season, CAELI webinars have served as spaces for connection, shared learning, and inspiration for advancing environmental and climate literacy in TK–12 schools. Topics this fall were varied and included issues such as climate impacts, youth leadership, and green career pathways. These interactive sessions bring together educators, students, county leaders, and community-based partners and emphasize equity, relevance, and action.
Each webinar offered insights from the field and resources that schools and organizations can use to deepen their own practice. Access recordings and materials from all past and upcoming sessions on the CAELI Webinar page.
Highlights from the Fall Season
Rising Temperatures, Rising Risks: Addressing Extreme Heat Impacts on Children
September 25, 2025 | Watch the Recording
Extreme heat is now one of the most urgent climate challenges affecting California’s schools. This session convened leaders from the medical field, education, and advocacy to examine how high temperatures are affecting student health, learning, and equity—and what solutions are emerging.
Participants explored strategies for designing climate-resilient campuses, integrating heat topics into curriculum and instruction, and building partnerships between schools, local agencies, and community organizations.
Participant reflections:
- “The presentations were so informative, and the resources shared were incredibly helpful.”
- “I enjoyed the broad spectrum of experts—from the medical field to curriculum to planting mini forests.”
- “The stories from school sites implementing green spaces really brought the urgency of this issue and its solutions to life.”
Youth Leading Climate Action
October 23, 2025 | Watch the Recording
The Youth Leading Climate Action webinar celebrated student leadership and intergenerational collaboration. Youth changemakers from across the state shared their journeys in environmental advocacy and action—from creating student-led sustainability initiatives to influencing district school board policy. Educators and community members left inspired by the students’ eloquence, insight, and commitment to justice-centered environmental and climate action.
Participant reflections:
- “As a teacher, I found students talking about their journeys into climate activism inspiring and motivating for including more pathways for solutionary action in my teaching practice.”
- “Today’s panelists were wonderfully eloquent and represented such a wide variety of environmental foci for action.”
- “I loved having this intergenerational gathering! Seeing young people turn their ideas into reality was powerful.”
- “The breakout rooms were supportive and energizing! I would love to see a second round with more youth speakers.”
Agriculture and Natural Resources: Green Careers in the Classroom
October 30, 2025 | Watch the Recording
California’s agriculture and natural resources sector is evolving—driven by climate change, workforce innovation, and a growing need for sustainable practices. Closing out the fall series, this webinar brought together leaders in education, industry, and youth development to discuss how green career pathways are shaping the future of California’s food systems, ecosystems, and communities.
The conversation emphasized that every career can be a green career—and that aligning environmental literacy with career and technical education helps prepare students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.
Participant thoughts and reflections:
- (Pre-session excitement) “I’m looking forward to new resources and examples of green career education to bring back to my school.”
- “The panelists and expertise from Ten Strands staff are a huge source of information, wisdom, and support.”
Looking Ahead to Future Webinars
As we move from fall to winter, CAELI will continue to spotlight diverse voices and solutions in upcoming webinars covering topics such as environmental justice, career pathways, and systems-level change in schools. Each session is designed to inform, inspire, and connect those working to ensure that every California student has access to meaningful, environment-based learning.
We are grateful to the many CAELI leaders and activators who help make these webinars a success.
We invite you to explore recordings, share resources, and register for future sessions on the CAELI Webinar Series page. Whether you are an educator, district leader, student, or community partner, your participation in these webinars helps grow our statewide movement for environmental literacy.
