Caretakers of Wonder Virtual Summit
Recordings from July 17–18, 2024

This free, online event featured experts in climate education, early childhood psychology, museum leadership, and equity. Learn about how museums can help foster resilient, caring, and hopeful young children in the age of climate change.

Watch if you and your organization... 

  • Are a museum or other cultural institution  

  • Work with children eight and under 

  • Are concerned about climate change and want to work more sustainably 

  • Like to meet a challenge with hope and joy 

  • Are wondering where to start...

Day 1

Go Green and Prosper: Climate Action in Museums

Children’s museums have been at the forefront of climate action in the museum sector. Learn about how your organization can join this movement from Paul Fenton of the Discovery Museum, Jen Kretser of The Wild Center, and Stephanie Aubert of Louisiana Children's Museum. Moderated by Sarah Sutton and Stephanie Shapiro of Environment & Culture Partners.

Climate Change & Children’s Health

Dr. Jonathan Patz of the University of Wisconsin–Madison will discuss the health risks of climate change for young children and the benefits of taking action; climate psychologist Jessica Kleczka will discuss ways that families can help foster resilient children; and educator, mindfulness advisor, and community advocate Tamar Jacobsohn will discuss positive, hopeful, and direct action that families can take to help support children in our warming climate. Brenda Baker will share about how museums, specifically children's museums, can take a powerful role in not only supporting young children and their families, but also by taking climate action themselves. 

Climate Change & Equity

The intersection of climate change and equity is deeply complex. This session will outline some of the inherent tensions, explore how museums can engage with the issues, and highlight potential solutions. Iveena M. from Jane Goodall Institute's Roots & Shoots Youth Council, Jenni Martin of CCLI and the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, and Tifferney White of the Louisiana Children’s Museum will examine issues of access and inclusion related to climate change. Moderated by Katie Slivovsky.

Summit Sessions

Day 2

Climate Leadership

Whatever your chosen climate path, getting the board, staff, and community to share your vision is critical. Stephanie Ratcliffe of The Wild Center, Sunny Spicer from the Children’s Museum of Southern Oregon, and Joe Cox of the Museum of Discovery and Science share their successes. Moderated by Neil Gordon.

Climate Action Playbook & Toolkit

Hear about the Climate Action Playbook, our innovative developmental framework that gives museums new tools to support children from birth to 8 (and their families) as they grow up in a warming world. The playbook is currently in development. Speakers include Natalie Bortoli and Peter Williams of the Chicago Children’s Museum, Nadia Niggli and Amanda Strobel of Madison Children’s Museum, and David Sobel, Professor Emeritus of Antioch University New England. Moderated by Andy Stoiber of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Starting Where You Are

Learn practical steps to building sustainability initiatives at your organization. Erik Smith of the National Children’s Museum, Keni Sturgeon of the Association of Children’s Museums, and Jamie Bonnett of KidsQuest Children's Museum share tips and insights so you can get started wherever you are. Moderated by Blake Wigdahl of Process Curiosity.