Planned and led by high school students committed to climate action in their schools and communities, the Middle School Sustainability and Action Summit is a signature Squam Lakes CLE project started in 2024.
The third annual summit in 2026 expanded to include 87 middle school students representing 13 schools, for a full day of hands-on learning and inspiration.
This student-led conference has featured workshops on topics such as renewable energy, the importance of pollinators, waste reduction and composting, and sustainable eating and cooking. During the summit, students conducted an energy audit of the Science Center using power meters, cleared space for a future pollinator garden, baked muffins with local ingredients, and played compost-themed Jeopardy! to deepen their understanding of waste systems. Attendees come from schools across New Hampshire, from Bethlehem to Nashua, and the 2026 event tripled in size from its first year.
Teachers and chaperones join their own workshop focused on how to support student-led action projects back home. Throughout the day, students work in school-based groups to imagine their ideal environmentally friendly future and brainstorm projects they could implement. Enthusiasm is evident as participants enjoy “being creative while working together,” and leave with concrete ideas and new connections.
The summit is organized by a coalition of partners that has included New Hampshire Environmental Educators, New Hampshire/Vermont Energy Education Program, Hopkinton High School Environmental Action Club, Holderness School students, Coe‑Brown Northwood Academy Youth Environmental Activists, Uplift NH, 350NH Youth Team, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Squam Lakes CLE, Prescott Farm, and community volunteers.
