If you want to help inspire, educate, and take action on environmental issues facing our communities, join AYEA! J O I N  N O W !

AYEA is a statewide network of hundreds of teens addressing environmental issues on the local and statewide level. Members gain leadership skills to help them plan projects in their communities and make Alaska a better place to live.

The power of the AYEA program rests in the minds and hearts of our youth leaders and adult volunteers V O L U N T E E R  N O W !

There are three ways adults can volunteer with our program:

AYEA Chapter Advisor: Each AYEA chapter is run by a youth steering committee with the support of one to three advisors. Chapter Advisors generally come from a local conservation or civic organization, the local high school, or a local tribe or tribal program. Retired biologists or teachers and college students interested in working with teens also make for great advisors. Advisors must attend the chapter meetings (schedule depends upon the specific chapter), and also attend separate youth steering committee meetings to help teen leaders plan events and activities. Advisors help circulate permission forms for trips, help with logistics as needed (setting up a guest speaker for a meeting, for example), and provide general positive energy, support, and enthusiasm to the chapter. Click here to apply to become an AYEA Chapter Advisor.

AYEA Statewide Trainer: AYEA puts on two statewide trainings per year, the Civics and Conservation Summit (link) and the Summer Institute (link). These statewide trainings bring teens from diverse urban and rural communities together to learn about environmental issues, develop skills in leadership and community problem-solving, and plan action projects at home. We need approximately four or five adult volunteer trainers for each of these events. Trainers receive free travel, meals, and accommodations for these trainings which have taken place in Juneau, Wasilla, Cordova, Yakutat, Sitka, Ketchikan, Fairbanks, and Old Minto! Click here to apply to become an AYEA Trainer.

AYEA Statewide Advisory Group Member: The AYEA Statewide Advisory Group (SWAG) (link) helps plan the strategic direction of our program and prioritize opportunities and activities each year. Members of the SWAG serve as ambassadors of AYEA, promoting program events in their community and bringing information from their community before statewide program staff. SWAG members represent our diverse youth leadership and there is a balance of teens and adults serving on the group. Click here to read a full description and apply to serve on the SWAG!