Students Get Hands-On With Forest and Wildlife Science at Youth Summit

Four students from Livingstone School spent four days in Canmore, Alberta that they won’t soon forget. The delegates and students from 20 schools across Alberta participated in the Regenerate Forest and Wildlife Youth Summit, March 7-10, 2024. Now in its 13th year, this youth environmental leadership summit is sponsored by Inside Education.

"It was amazing!" says Sarah Holmgren, Livingstone School Principal who accompanied the students. "In addition to the incredible learning about natural resource management, it was truly inspiring to see students learn from professionals and other students about collaborating, problem-solving, critical thinking, and innovation. These are the needed skills for students now and in the future."

Savannah Simcoe (Grade 8), Daxson Mosby (Grade 8), Lander Hurst (Grade 9), and Macey Mallard (Grade 10) participated in the Regenerate Summit, accompanied by Lettie Croskery, Career Practitioner with Livingstone Range School Division, and Principal Holmgren. Registration, lodging, meals, and tours were included in the scholarship for participants. 

The summit included keynote speaker Colin Angus (a leading adventurer, filmmaker, and bestselling author), hands-on workshops, field trips, roundtable discussions, and student leadership opportunities. 

Grade 8 student Savannah Simcoe discovered that small choices can make a big difference for the natural world. "My biggest takeaway from Regenerate was learning that small choices I make every day can have a big, positive impact on the environment," says Savannah. "Walking somewhere instead of driving, reusing plastic bags, and recycling materials are all little things, yet they can have a cumulative effect over time."

The Regenerate participants from Livingstone School are now creating a plan for a water conservation project in their school and community. "Moving forward, I'm excited for our project, because it will show others that every individual can make a difference," says Savannah.

Principal Holmgren feels that the Regenerate Summit created opportunities for her students that complement classroom learning. "Experiential learning opportunities like this one are another way that we help ensure success for 'Every student, every day'," she says.