Climate Innovation Challenge will support teen-led projects across Yampa Valley

Climate Innovation Challenge will support teen-led projects across Yampa Valley Teens ages 14-19 who live in the Yampa Valley and care about making a positive impact on the valley’s environment have the opportunity to apply for support for a hands-on, independent project through the Climate Innovation Project. Owners of the historic Hayden Granary have partnered with two national nonprofits entities — Lyra and GripTape — to launch a local challenge for environmental projects completed by teens. The selected 40 students will receive $500 for project expenses along with support from a mentoring “champion.” The project’s five-question application will be open online Jan. 1-31 at TheClimateInnovationProject.com. The Granary Climate Innovation Project is designed to give teen students control over their own learning by designing and leading a 10-week project of their choosing. Projects should be geared toward positively impacting the climate through stronger agriculture, leadership and community building. Students can decide and work on a climate-related topic of interest related to natural resources in Northwest Colorado, such as addressing needs around flora, fauna, land use, agriculture, water, energy and climate. The goal is to give students the tools and resources to innovate. Sponsoring Lyra is a Colorado-based nonprofit that works with communities to uplift and foster bold ideas so that education is more nimble and responsive to students. “We believe innovation emerges through exploration, and no one is more passionate about the future of this planet than you,” according to the project website. “Through this project, you have an opportunity to explore your curiosities and passion for our soil, air and water and find ways to make an impact on our local community.” Interested adults from the Yampa Valley who enjoy working with youth also can apply to be climate project mentors by emailing [email protected]. Tammie Delaney, co-owner of the Granary in Hayden, said the local innovation project is an offshoot of the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship and Sustainability, or YVPS3, based in Craig. That partnership includes four school districts, two colleges and multiple industry partners. YVPS3 works to provide Yampa Valley students with the resources, skills and credentials needed to obtain high-need jobs to support a vision for a more resilient region. “We strongly believe our future relies upon capturing the passion, imagination and problem-solving skills of our next generation and that innovation emerges through exploration,” Delaney said “We are very excited to bring this to youth in the Yampa Valley, especially in South Routt and West Routt where we’ve taken such a focus on agricultural education.” To reach Suzie Romig, call 970-871-4205 or email [email protected]. Support Local Journalism Support Local Journalism Readers around Steamboat and Routt County make the Steamboat Pilot & Today’s work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism. Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference. Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.