Youth Climate Engagement with Phipps Conservatory’s Jennifer Torrance

Arts Management and Technology Laboratory

Kicking off AMT Lab’s Art + Climate series, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens’ Jennifer Torrance discusses her work supporting a space for youth climate engagement.

Phipps’ Youth Climate Advocacy Committee (YCAC) resources and empowers Pittsburgh’s young people to take action on issues that they care about. Torrance is a science educator and the YCAC Coordinator at Phipps. She holds a bachelor of science in environmental science from Allegheny College. She has been sparking children’s passion for the natural world at Phipps since 2016.

In this unique program, young people take on a variety of projects that unite their skills and interest in the climate movement. From a water bottle photojournalism project, to developing curriculum for elementary students, and even an eco-fashion show.

This interview is in two parts. To hear about Torrance’s experience attending COP28, accompanied by YCAC youth leader and University of Pittsburgh student Anna Bagwell, look out for part two.

Phipps YCAC is funded through the generous support of the Heinz Endowments.