Hundreds of students across the state converged on Tuesday at the Hawai‘i Convention Center, where conservation experts engaged them in discussions on how they can play a pivotal role in preserving natural resources.

Kupu Hawaii, an organization that trains youth on conservation efforts, hosted the first “Students’ Day: Hawaii Youth Challenge 2020” as part of the 2016 International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress.

Kupu is an offshoot of the Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps. Its focus is on environmental conservation, restoration and cultural awareness. Participants get hands-on experience working outdoors, where they learn about natural resource management.

Approximately 900 public, private, charter and home-school students from 51 middle and high schools from all islands except Lanai attended the brainstorming session to come up with conservation projects to be completed by the year 2020.

John Leong, CEO of Kupu, said the goal was to empower the next generation in stewardship.

Tehina Border, an 11th-grader at Ke Kula O Nawahiokalaniopuu, a charter school of Kamehameha Schools on the Big Island, said the message he gained from the event is how innovative ideas from his generation are essential in resolving problems that pose a threat to natural resources so the environment “can be better for future generations.”

Hawaii’s first lady, Dawn Amano-Ige, talked to the students about how they can make a positive impact.

Amano-Ige is a former participant in the Conservation Corps and helped with restoration efforts at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. She announced the launch of the Congress Legacy Initiative to fund conservation projects by Hawaii’s students. The fund received $60,000 from Kamehameha Schools, the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation and the Public Schools of Hawaii Foundation.

David Smith, administrator of the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Forestry and Wildlife, said state leaders often say “the kids get it, far more in some cases than the adults” concerning natural resource management.

“They are actually driving the narrative at this point and in some ways, we’re just trying to keep up, provide opportunity and provide leadership and allow kids to come in and reach their potential,” Smith said at a news conference at the convention center.