City of La Crosse Mayor Reynolds is excited to launch an open call for new and ambitious climate efforts led by young people aged 15-24. La Crosse is receiving $50,000 from Bloomberg Philanthropies to distribute as microgrants to fund a groundswell of youth-led climate initiatives.

Young residents ages 15 - 24 years are encouraged to learn more about the Youth Climate Action Fund, supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, and how to submit ideas for the opportunity to receive funding.

“It is thrilling for young people in this community to have an opportunity to direct their own initiatives that address sustainability and resiliency at this very local level. We are so excited to see what happens with these projects,” said Mayor Reynolds.

These ideas may include:

• Youth-led awareness, education, research, and development initiatives, including youth-led climate education programs; youth climate hackathons; youth-developed climate surveys and research; youth-informed clubs or curriculum; and youth-designed public art and awareness campaigns.

• Youth-driven climate mitigation and adaptation projects, including youth-led community gardening, tree planting, reforestation, and urban farming campaigns; youth-managed recycling and waste reduction programs; and youth-produced climate resilience workshops and disaster preparedness programs.

• Co-governed youth climate action plans, including partnerships between city leaders and youth groups to inform climate-related policy ideas, decisions, actions, or the formation of youth climate ambassadors or advisory boards.

“We’re excited to be recognized by Bloomberg,” said Lewis Kuhlman, Environmental Planner for the City of La Crosse. “This incredible opportunity validates the city’s Climate Action Plan and our efforts to address climate change. We already have young people in our schools, universities, and organizations participating in impressive efforts to help the city become more sustainable. The $50,000 we’re receiving from Bloomberg will fund more and, potentially, even bigger initiatives ”

From mobilizing tree-planting or public education campaigns to launching recycling or waste reduction initiatives to participating in mitigation planning or preparedness programs, efforts stemming from the new Youth Climate Action Fund will advance critical community goals such as meeting decarbonization commitments or reducing consumption-based emissions.

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For more information, please contact Lewis Kuhlman at kuhlmanl@cityoflacrosse.org or 608-789-7361.