Sneak Peek: 2025–26 ECAP Projects in Action 🌱

UVTPC Blog Writer
2 days ago
3 min read

We’re excited to share a sneak peek of the incredible student projects that will be showcased at the upcoming Equitable Climate Action Partnership (ECAP) Symposium on Friday, May 8, 2026 at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science.

This inspiring day (9:00 AM – 1:30 PM) will highlight student-driven climate action from across the Upper Valley, with projects that tackle local environmental challenges, strengthen community resilience, and imagine bold, creative solutions for a more equitable and sustainable future.

Below is just a glimpse of what you’ll see at the Symposium—each project a powerful example of what happens when young people are given the tools, trust, and time to lead.

🌳 Reimagining a Living Landscape (Woodstock Union High School)

Students in the Fall Immersive Semester at Woodstock Union High School have been working with a permaculture lens to envision a future learning landscape at nearby King Farm.

Under the guidance of ECAP leader Abbie Castriotta, students have engaged in hands-on restoration work—planting hundreds of edible and native trees and shrubs in air-pruning beds that will one day support the land and local ecosystem.

Their work goes far beyond planting. It’s about rethinking what school—and learning—can look like.

As senior Riley O’Neal reflected:

“Instead of learning from packets and books, students are learning from their hands-on experience with the earth. Older students are taking younger students under their wing, improving that feeling of connection. Experimental practices cover the land, with food forests, pollinator habitats, rainwater catchment systems, and more.”

This project is a beautiful example of youth leadership, ecological design, and intergenerational learning in action.

🐛Small Creatures, Big Impact (Hampshire Cooperative Nursery School)

Students at Hampshire Cooperative Nursery School are diving into hands-on environmental learning through their Stewards of the Earth project.

Guided by educators Sandy Bailey and Erika Benton, students have been exploring, documenting, and caring for worms in their vermicomposting system. As they observe how worms transform food scraps into nutrient-rich soil, students are building curiosity, responsibility, and a connection to natural cycles.

This project highlights how environmental stewardship and inquiry can begin at any age—and how even the smallest learners can make a meaningful impact.

🥕 From Past to Present: Revitalizing Local Food Systems (Marion Cross & South Royalton)

Students at Marion Cross School and in South Royalton are exploring how local landscapes and food systems have evolved over time—and how they can shape their future.

At Marion Cross, students are diving into data-driven inquiry, conducting food waste audits and preparing to test strategies for reducing waste in their school community.

Meanwhile, South Royalton 3rd graders, guided by educator Tiffany Bates, have taken a deep dive into local agriculture, history, and sustainability:

Touring the Roxbury Fish Hatchery and learning about Vermont’s 19th-century aquaculture industry
Visiting White Rock Farm to explore sustainable farming practices
Learning from regional expert Mary Lake about supporting sheep farmers
Processing local fleece to create a living wool rug

These experiences connect students to their region’s past while empowering them to imagine and build a more sustainable future—grounded in local knowledge, skills, and community connections.

🌟 Celebrate Student Leadership in Action

These projects are just a preview of the creativity, curiosity, and commitment you’ll experience at the ECAP Symposium.

Whether you're an educator, parent, student, or community member, this event is a chance to:

🌿 Explore student-led climate action projects
🌍 Hear from inspiring keynote speakers
👐 Participate in hands-on activities with community partners
🦅 Experience a live raptor program
✨ Witness the power of youth leadership and local impact

Even if your students aren’t participating this year, attending is a great way to get inspired, make connections, and explore how your school can get involved in ECAP.