2024 Recipient Elena Sparrow

YLACES has the honor of presenting Elena Sparrow with this award at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) fall meeting on December 10, 2024, in Washington, DC. Additional information about the award presentation and YLACES’ 10th Anniversary reception will be forthcoming.

Elena Sparrow

The Youth Environmental Science (YES) Medal is presented by YLACES to honor those who’ve made significant contributions to youth learning as citizen environmental scientists. Imagine a group of passionate individuals who not only care about the environment but also actively involve young minds in understanding and protecting it.

The 2024 YES Medal will go to Elena Sparrow of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. 

Elena wears many “hats”- she currently serves as: 

• Education Outreach Director, International Arctic Research Center (IARC)

• Research Professor, Department of Natural Resources and Environment

• GLOBE Alaska Partnership Director

• Principal Investigator, Arctic and Earth SIGNs, University of Alaska Fairbanks​

​

In her many roles today and throughout her long career, Dr. Sparrow has significantly contributed to student environmental research in Arctic ecosystems and has strengthened the GLOBE Program in Alaska and throughout the world.

She has chosen the Fostering Science program to receive the $10,000 grant that accompanies the Medal. Fostering Science program that provides a free science camp to foster youth who are extremely underrepresented in science camps. This yearly camp supports the development and ecological/environmental curiosity of youth in the foster care system in Alaska. The majority of these youth are Alaska Native. Campers get the opportunity to develop an identity in science and their culture through close mentorship with Alaska Native Elders, Indigenous educators and professional scientists.