Youth ACT

Youth Act is on hold. Please check back for more information.

Youth ACT (Activist Conservation Team) is a Bird Alliance of Oregon training program that fosters conservation and advocacy skills, provides community organizing and outreach tools, and deepens environmental policy education. Each fall and spring teens who are passionate about the environment join us for 6 Saturdays as we learn about how we can all advocate for the natural world.

Our Team

This new initiative is being led by experienced staff from Bird Alliance of Oregon’s conservation and education teams.

Micah Meskel, Activist Program Manager, brings years of experience as an environmental activist. Micah manages Bird Alliance of Oregon’s activist program, and works on a variety of local and statewide policy issues.

Tim Donner, Environmental Educator, has been working with youth in outdoor education settings for over a decade, and has led numerous youth trips including week-long trips to Yellowstone, backpacking trips in the Wallowas, and international trips to Belize.

Abby VanLeuven, Environmental Educator, graduated from the College of Wooster with a degree in Geology, and began a career in Environmental Education. She has also conducted research on trees in Alaska, done soil surveys in Tanzania, and worked to register and educate young voters in Colorado.

How to Become a Youth ACT Member

Youth ACT offers a spring and fall session. We are seeking youth who:

  • Are between 14-18 years old
  • Have an interest in environmental conservation, advocacy, wildlife care, or community science

Application Deadline

To be notified about our fall 2019 session, email Micah Meskel at mmeskel@birdallianceoregon.org. Online application: Fill out applications online here.

Location: Training days will be based out of Bird Alliance of Oregon’s Sanctuary in Northwest Portland, with some of travel offsite to different events and greenspaces in the greater Portland area. Bird Alliance of Oregon will work with youth to provide transportation to the sanctuary, if needed. Advocacy opportunities may arise at offsite locations with transportation provided from Bird Alliance of Oregon.