Teen Leaders in Conservation

Free hands-on Programs for Middle and High School Students

Our planet’s amazing web of biodiversity needs some TLC: Teen Leaders in Conservation!

We help teens from under-resourced communities in Washington, DC connect with nature and develop career skills as they build confidence to tackle environmental action projects at school and in their communities.

 

In addition to exploring the world of conservation through our Conservation Nation Academy lessons, TLC students enjoy opportunities to meet local wildlife champions, engage in service learning, and participate in a variety of nature field trips in the DC area.

 

Conservation Nation is a proud partner of The Washington School for Girls, The Washington Jesuit Academy, DC Public Schools, and the University of the District of Columbia.  We offer both in-school and after-school TLC programs as funding allows. If you are interested in learning more about TLC or having support in using the Conservation Nation Academy lessons to create a TLC program at your school, please contact us at [email protected].

Downloadable E-Books

As part of our commitment to inspire the next generation of conservationists, we’ve partnered with the University of the District of Columbia and author Caroline Brewer to publish two books written by students from Anacostia High School in Washington, DC.

Download Book Download Book

Program Updates

Four people gather at a table, engaged with the "Young Voices of the Anacostia River" book, with some signing a copy.

Celebrating Young Voices of the Anacostia River

March 28, 2025
a group of teens and adults standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC

Teen Leaders from Anacostia High School Advocate for Equitable Access to Nature

October 15, 2024
a group of people standing at a podium looking at a presentation on a projection screen with other people sitting up on a stage

Celebrating Black Excellence in Conservation with Anacostia Teens

August 29, 2024
A group of Black students wearing colorful clothing standing around a table

How a Group of Teens Became the Environmental Science Leaders at Their School

August 22, 2024
a young black man with outstretched arms poses for a photo with three young teens at the bank of a canal

DC Teens Put Down their Phones to Explore Nature and Conservation Careers

July 31, 2024
a large school of fish in a tight ball formation in the blue ocean with rocks and corals visible at the bottom

Teen Leaders Tackle Food Waste

March 29, 2024
a young Black man wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and baseball cap assisting a young Black female student as she looks through a microscope in a classroom lab

DC Students Engage in TLC for our Planet

March 28, 2024
a group of people on stage reading from a book in front of a podium with as sign that reads university of the district of columbia

Conservation Nation Academy Celebrates its First Book Launch!

January 9, 2024
a group of young Black women wearing yellow rian boots and standing by a stream

Conservation Nation Awarded Grant from Chesapeake Bay Trust

December 6, 2023
two young Black students wearing yellow waterproof boots while standing in a shallow creek while an adult supervisor shows them something that was in the water

Girls Going Green

August 17, 2023
a young Black woman wearing a red shirt and putting her had under a large green leaf

Viewing the Natural World Through “Anacostia Eyes”

August 15, 2023
Conservation Nation's Tyler Kirkland in front of a school wearing gardening gloves

Native Plant Garden Update

January 10, 2023
NxtGen Conservationist Allie holding a black oak seedling

Planet of Trees

June 3, 2022
a group of three NxtGen conservationists taking part in vermicomposting

NxtGen Conservation Projects Impact Local Community

March 9, 2022