Youth Delegation for Environmental Lobby Day
Start: Thursday, February 06, 2025• 9:00 AM
Location:Washington State Capitol•416 Sid Snyder Ave SW, Olympia, WA 98501 US

Join Climate Action Families’ Youth Delegation at Environmental Lobby Day on Thursday, February 6th, in Olympia! This is part of a statewide event hosted by a coalition of environmental and climate justice organizations.
CAF's delegation is a chance for youth to:
- Explore the legislative process in a hands-on way.
- Meet directly with legislators along with allies from their district.
- Advocate for current environmental and climate justice legislation.
- Participate in youth programming, including art-making, guest speakers, and role-playing.
Who is organizing this event?
Climate Action Families is part of a larger coalition of environmental organizations planning day-of programming for youth. In addition, CAF is coordinating our Youth Delegation. Our goal is to focus on youth needs and ensure young people have the support and engagement they need to make this a meaningful day. The larger coalition will send out more general info soon, so you will hear from both of us with some overlapping content.
Youth Agenda for Thursday, February 6th:
9:30 am: Check-in at Lord Mansion: welcome, orientation, and activities (sign-making, art, photo booth). The Lord Mansion will be our home base for the day and the Coach House is designated exclusively for youth programming. Directions
10:30–11:30 am: Icebreakers, orientation, guest speakers, info on Environmental Priority Coalition platform.
11:30 am: Walk/Bus .8 miles to the Capitol Building.
12:15–12:45 pm: Join the rally on the Justice Hall steps. Speakers from across WA, including youth.
Legislative appointments will be scheduled throughout the day, 8-4:30 - If you have a morning meeting, we will coordinate quick car ferries to and from the Capitol Building.
Afternoon Options: Youth-focused meetings with legislators. Tours of the Capitol Building run every hour. Observe one of several Committee Meetings at 1:30 pm: Agriculture & Natural Resources, Capital Budget, Finance, Higher Education & Workforce Dev, Local Government.
3:00 pm: Wrap up and head home!
Appointments with Legislators:
I will place students in a legislative meeting that meets their desires for the day. Please respond with your preference and any info or interests that will aid in scheduling a meaningful appointment. It’s important that we know how many youths are coming and from which district so we can balance out meeting assignments - we don’t want young people to feel lost on the sidelines. If you are bringing a group of youth, please let me know how many and their preferences.
Three options:
Students seeking an opportunity to practice advanced advocacy for EPC's platform with a legislator who may not support the coalition priorities.
Students are keen to meet and connect with their specific legislators along with other adults from their district. Though the room might be crowded, this will connect students with their elected representatives. We will coordinate with district leads to center youth voices in these meetings.
Students prefer a youth-focused meeting with a legislator who is keen to meet and focus on youth perspectives in a smaller setting. Legislators who do not have constituents coming from their districts and are eager to engage in youth advocacy can make more focused time for young attendees.
The deadline to register for legislator meetings is today at 5 pm - though I can continue to wrap any of your folx into leg meetings and programming, including the day of, it is helpful for organizers if you register.
Opportunities for Youth Leadership:
Soon, I'll have a form to share where youth can sign up for leadership opportunities - but in the meantime, let me know if you want me to plug anyone directly into these roles:
Introducing a speaker
Big rally speaker - still need a youth rep from Western WA
co-MC (with Wes)
Icebreaker lead
Art lead (posters, friendship bracelets)
Chant lead
Role-play -Mock legislator meeting (legislator role, youth activist role)
Leading walking/bus group to cap grounds
Photographer
Food:
Lunch is being provided! RSVP for more info for lunch registration. Sandwiches will arrive before 11 am so folx can eat before or on the way to the Capitol. Snacks are also provided.
Excused Absence:
Here is a letter of absence to submit to your school to excuse their absence on 02/06/25.
Carpooling:
Do you have room in your car for additional delegates? Please respond to this email with the seats available and the part of town you’ll depart. Attending on a school day can be a significant barrier to families, but we can increase access by working together as a community. If you're an adult attending with youth, consider inviting friends to join you for the day.
Resources:
The Environmental Lobby Day website has pre-recorded trainings, videos about the 2025 Environmental Priorities Coalition platform, and many other resources.