RIEEA is excited to announce that our upcoming Rhode Island Youth Climate Conference on November 7, 2026 will feature a presentation and workshop with Ayana Melvan.
Ayana Melvan is the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s Executive Vice President. Ayana has led work with a racial equity lens using the collective impact approach locally and nationally for more than a decade. She has worked across sectors, including youth development, to address social, environmental, and ocean justice, especially in the fields of youth development, aquariums, and zoos. She was one of the founders and co-chairs of the ACP Equity Work Group. Ayana graduated cumlaude from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst with a B.A. in communications with a film certification. When Ayana isn’t at work, she’s enjoying the beautiful shoreline of Rhode Island at Misquamicut Beach with her family during all seasons!
PRESENTATION DESCRIPTION:
The Cycle Ends with Us: Finding Your Place in an Intergenerational Environmental Justice Movement
Breaking the cycle of environmental damage starts with an intergenerational approach. Today, youth-led advocacy is transforming how we protect our oceans and freshwaters. By blending multigenerational grassroots movement-building with sharp policy influence, young leaders are actively shifting perspectives and driving real systemic change. But how do you find your footing in this movement? What systemic barriers stand in the way of true environmental and ocean justice—and how can you help dismantle them? In this presentation, participants will dive into a real-world case study to see how lived experience can be powerfully channeled into impactful activism. Join us to discover your entry point, navigate social structures, and learn how to turn your passion into a force for the planet.
2026 RHODE ISLAND YOUTH CLIMATE CONFERENCE
Calling all Rhode Island youth and their adult mentors!
Are you ready to take climate action in your community?
Registration is now open for the Rhode Island Youth Climate Conference! This event is for teams of 3-6 high school aged students and an adult mentor and will take place on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at the Roger Williams Park Zoo’s new Conservation Education Center. This is a free event; lunch will be provided and transportation costs will be covered.
Registration closes Thursday, October 29.
MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION HERE