Tough Conversations is a youth-led webinar series that began in 2020 to spark meaningful dialogue around critical environmental issues. For our next installment, this year’s Youth Conservation Leadership participants have chosen to focus on two of Vermont’s most urgent and intertwined challenges: development and conservation. Join us for “Insects and Our Ecosystems,” a virtual event exploring the vital—and often overlooked—role insects play in Vermont’s natural systems, from forests to farms.

Insect populations are declining rapidly around the globe, and Vermont is no exception. This steep drop has serious consequences, triggering ripple effects across entire ecosystems: from pollination and soil health to food webs and climate resilience.

We’ll be joined by a panel of experts from across the state to dive into the science behind these declines, what they mean for Vermont’s landscapes and communities, and how we can respond. This conversation will explore the complex connections between insects, biodiversity, agriculture, and the future of our ecosystems.

Registration required.

This panel will be hosted by our current interns and AmeriCorps Members:

Emma McKillip (she/her), Youth Conservation Leadership Intern

Cali Rivera (she/her), Conservation AmeriCorps Member

David Hewitt (he/him), Community Science AmeriCorps Member

Devin Brennan (he/him), Environmental Policy Intern