PROFILE: Emma Krautheim, Youth Environmental Activist

Emma, driven to initiate environmental change, directed the energy she formerly expended on the soccer field to being a founding member of YEA (Youth Environmental Activists of) Minnesota, speaking at the Neighborhood Sustainability Conference and helping Will Steger at his Focus the Nation event at First Avenue. She also chose to put on an Environmental Political Forum for her senior project.

Emma brought together legislators representing Eagan, Apple Valley, and Rosemount with local high school students to allow the students to voice their environmental concerns to those who have power at the state level.

Because Emma didn't want this to be a typical assembly with adults on a stage talking at youth, she devised a unique format. Small groups rotated between legislators in order to address all concerns, including recycling in homes, schools, and cities; alternative energy sources; and public transportation.

This year's forum was a tremendous success, with high attendance.  Emma planned ahead by having an underclassman shadow her along the way in order for the forum to continue. She graduated this year from the School for Environmental Studies in Eagan, Minnesota.

To learn more about YEA Minnesota and the Will Steger Foundation visit:

YEA Minnesota, sustaincommunity.net/network/youth-environmental-activists-minnesota-yea-mn

The Will Steger Foundation, willstegerfoundation.org