The second annual New Mexico Youth Climate Summit took place June 6th, 2026, and brought together students, educators, community leaders, scientists, and environmental professionals from across the state to learn, connect, and take action on the environmental challenges facing New Mexico. The Summit created a space for young people to explore topics such as climate change, conservation, environmental justice, and sustainability while connecting with others who are working to create positive change in their communities. Through workshops, discussions, and hands-on activities, participants gain new knowledge, share their perspectives, and develop the skills and connections needed to help build a more resilient and sustainable future for New Mexico.
Climate Change Speaker - Dr. Marcy Litvak
Dr. Litvak received a BA Biology from Colorado College in
1989, and a PhD in Plant Physiological Ecology in 1998 from
the University of Colorado at Boulder. She did her
postdoctoral work in the Department of Earth System Science,
University of California, Irvine from 1998-2001. Her first
faculty position was at University of Texas, Austin, TX in the
Section of Integrative Biology. She joined the Department of
Biology at UNM in 2006 and is currently a Full Professor in the
Department of Biology, co-PI of the Sevilleta Long Term
Ecological Research program, and co-Director of the new
ARID (Accelerating Resilience Innovations in Drylands)
Institute at University of New Mexico. Her research focuses on quantifying the relationships
between structure and function in semi-arid ecosystems. In
particular, she uses tower-based eddy covariance as a tool to
quantify ecosystem function as carbon, water and energy
exchange with the atmosphere in biomes across the
Southwestern US. She uses this technique to quantify and
understand how sensitive ecosystem processes in these
biomes are to both climate and disturbance. She seek out
multi-disciplinary teams to conduct research that bridges
science and management expertise to create actionable
science and products for federal land managers.
Non-Traditional Activism - Shelby Bazan
Born and raised in Albuquerque, NM, Shelby has a great passion
for the city, land, and culture. She has a B.S. in Biology from the
University of New Mexico where she grew a fondness for
ecology, stewardship, organismal biology, and environmental
justice. Shelby is an environmental educator through and
through and spent many years with the Bosque Ecosystem
Monitoring Program where she acted as a facilitator for
students’ learning and exploration of the Middle Rio Grande
bosque. She became a volunteer Outings Leader with Latino
Outdoors New Mexico in 2021 where she takes local Latine
families and community members into various outdoor spaces
to experience joy, curiosity, and connection. Her previous
experiences have led her to New Mexico Wild where she is a
statewide Conservation Organizer working on NM public lands
campaigns and defense and getting folks connected to their
public lands throughout the state.
Environmental Justice Panel
Michael is the conservation policy and strategy specialist for the New Mexico BioPark Society. He completed his Master’s in ecosystem science and policy at University College Dublin and attended the University of South Florida for undergrad. Michael works across scale, focusing on environmental advocacy and conservation planning, with local and national partners, and globally through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to help maintain endangered species protections and the environmental laws that the world’s species, peoples, and habitats rely on.
My name is Julian Cata, I come from Santa Clara Pueblo, and a proud Alumni of Santa Fe Indian School and ENMU. I studied Environmental Science while I was there and took an awesome internship with High Water Mark, a Native owned Environmental Consultant Company based in Bernalillo. I currently work with the Pueblo of Tesuque as an Environmental Technician, and I coach Cross Country and Track at SFIS.
Art Scholarship Winners
Each student was awarded $500 by Talking Talons, Horizons, Co-Creating Through Community, and Explora to further their personal, professional, and educational goals.
Elizabeth Musick-Long
For my work, I cut squares out of a bunch of t-shirts from events that were made to be worn once, and other poorly made clothes you could wear three times before they had holes. The fact that I was able to make a whole skirt out of old clothes and my wardrobe is hardly affected by this project is a big problem.
“I would probably use the scholarship money to help get myself into college, as I am one of 7 children and scholarships really help a lot.”
Zykai Dominakos
This art piece reflects the ongoing struggle between industry and nature, showcasing, in particular, the issue of pollution. Humans were originally integrated as part of the Earth’s natural ecosystem, not necessarily objectively better than any other species on this planet. However, we have managed to distance ourselves significantly from the rest of nature due to our own tendency to blow our own egos out of proportion. This mental distance that we put between ourselves, and nature is clearly represented by the juxtaposition between the two halves of the art piece. While still using charcoal on drawing paper in the same style throughout the whole piece, the obvious difference between the smoggy, factory filled city and the old, wizened tree acting as the main subjects of the piece is the first thing to catch the eye. However, the juxtaposition can also be noticed in the smokey sky versus the leafy expanse on the opposite side and particularly the light-handed use of three colors of colored pencils on the right side over top of the charcoal. All of these things emphasize the distance we have placed between ourselves and the rest of the world to the point that we can no longer be considered part of the ecosystem. While this art piece doesn’t represent a clear solution to the issues revolving around climate, this, too, is the reality for the world, as well. There isn’t necessarily a one-step, easy plan on how to fix the issues we face, but the lighter sky on the right side of the piece, the side with the tree, represents the hope that we, as a planet, can turn back from where the path we are on right now is leading us and make choices that will lead us to a healthy, plentiful planet.
“The $500 cash prize could further my personal goals by putting it towards my college savings or use it on supplies to further my academic and artistic goals.”
Charles Musick-Long
For my great grandmothers kitchen, the main decor consisted nearly entire of paintings of ducks. The duck in this case signifies creatures affected by climate change, of which ducks are a major example. The major species responsible for climate change is humans, who have shown a considerable ability to adapt to any climate found on earth, and would therefore probably survive any effects of climate change, however many species have already gone extinct due to the effects of climate change, none of which have a considerable impact for climate change. Many species are to follow, and are already endangered. One species that may never die out due to climate change is the human species, which is responsible for climate change.
“I will most likely use this money to travel to Grand Rapids, MI and join the US open for Chess.”
William Musick
My original piano composition reflects environmental challenges through its emotional atmosphere and musical structure. I created a somber mood through the slow tempo and thoughtful arpeggiated lines to mirror the feeling of witnessing environmental decline and uncertainty in the world today. By writing in a Phrygian mode with a raised third, I created a sound that feels both tense and hopeful at the same time, representing the conflict between destruction and the possibility of renewal. The darker harmonies symbolize pollution, climate change, and the fragility of nature, while moments of warmth and resolution suggest resilience and the possibility of restoring balance. As a pianist and composer, I use music as a way to express emotions that words cannot fully capture. This piece is deeply personal because it reflects my own concern for the environment and my belief that art can inspire reflection and change. The flowing arpeggios imitate natural movement, like wind, water, and the continuous cycle of life, reminding listeners of the beauty that still exists and deserves protection. Rather than presenting a direct solution, I wanted my composition to encourage listeners to pause, reflect, and emotionally connect with the environmental challenges we face. I believe solutions begin with awareness, empathy, and a renewed appreciation for the natural world. Through this piece, I hope to inspire deeper thought about humanity’s relationship with nature and the responsibility we all share in protecting it for future generations.
“I am the oldest of 7 siblings and acquiring scholarships such as this will help me go from where I am now to the end of med school.”
Youth Climate Action Council
The Youth Climate Action Council is an environmental activism group that meets monthly and brings together high school students from across New Mexico who are passionate about the world and want to make a difference in their communities. Council members work together to learn about climate change, conservation, and environmental justice while developing leadership, advocacy, and community engagement skills. Through regular meetings, collaborative projects, and conversations with environmental professionals and community leaders, students have opportunities to share their perspectives and turn their ideas into meaningful action. The Council also helps elevate youth voices in conversations about New Mexico’s environmental future and empowers young people to become leaders in creating positive change.