Govind Tekale
The devastating Southern California wildfires of January 2025 may have cooled, but their memory fuels a gathering of young minds at UCLA on Saturday, August 30, 2025. The Seeds of Change Summit will bring together over 400 high school and college-age youth leaders from across California, particularly BIPOC youth from low-income communities.
Youth Taking the Lead
According to Youth on Root’s website, the organization centers “low-income youth and youth of color as change agents in environmental justice.” The summit prioritizes voices from communities hit hardest by environmental disasters.
As of January 16, 2025, federal and state sources reported over 40,000 acres burned across the LA County wildfires, with more than 12,000 structures destroyed. Organizers note the disproportionate impact of these fires on frontline communities and invite youth from these affected areas.
The event page describes youth gathering “to grieve, to heal, to grow and transform crisis into collective action.” Workshops include climate justice, organizing, and community action, alongside healing spaces and coalition-building.
Similar Posts
Spaces for Healing, Places for Action
The day-long gathering continues a tradition started at UC Berkeley in 2023 and expanded to UC Irvine and UCSF Mission Bay in 2024. Each iteration has grown in scope, with this year featuring:
- Youth-led workshops on climate justice, organizing, and community action
- Healing spaces
- Coalition-building across lines of race, class, and geography
- Opportunities to share lived experiences and seed long-term campaigns for change
Attendees can find accessibility and participation details on the official registration page.
Building Climate Coalitions
The summit facilitates coalition-building across lines of race, class, and geography. The event materials describe bringing together diverse communities affected by climate change.Registration is available via Eventbrite; details are listed on the event page. The Seeds of Change Summit takes place at UCLA on Saturday, August 30, 2025, starting at 9:00 AM, bringing together young Californians for workshops, healing spaces, and coalition-building around climate justice.
