State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. celebrated SUNY ESF’s Timbuctoo Climate Science and Careers Summer Institute program for New York City high school students. The institute is named after Timbuctoo, a historic Black suffrage settlement in the mid-1800s, located in the Adirondacks, that created electoral access and opportunity. The program connects students, particularly those from underrepresented communities, with hands-on environmental research, mentorship and career exploration opportunities.
Championed by the state’s Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus as well as State Sen. Zellnor Myrie, State Assemblymember Michaelle Solages and the Adirondack Council, SUNY ESF’s Timbuctoo Institute has been introducing students from urban environments to climate science since 2022. The Adirondack Program hosts three two-week sessions, serving cohorts of 16 students at a time and includes stops in Brooklyn, Kingston and Syracuse where students learn about environmental justice and career opportunities, before traveling to the Adirondacks. The institute’s Brooklyn program offers one-week experiential learning sessions to six cohorts of 16 students to explore climate science and social justice.
“SUNY ESF’s Timbuctoo Institute is creating opportunities for students to explore careers in environmental science and be at the forefront of efforts to abate climate change,” King said. “The summer program engages New York City high school students in experiential learning that helps them dive deeper into the intersection of environmental science and societal issues. Thank you to Gov. Hochul, the State Legislature and the SUNY Board of Trustees for creating meaningful opportunities for New York’s students.”
The Timbuctoo Institute brings together partners from across SUNY and CUNY systems, as well as public and private organizations and state agencies. A key partner is CUNY Medgar Evers College, which collaborates closely on programming designed to bridge communities from downstate to upstate New York.
Plans are underway to launch additional Timbuctoo programming in Western New York in 2027, led by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature, which approved an additional $2.1 million in funding for the Timbuctoo program in the Enacted 2026/27 State Budget.
“State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, “”Every day we see the urgent need for action to protect our climate. Fortunately, today’s young people are tomorrow’s leaders,” Myrie said. “I’m so proud to have secured funding for the Timbuctoo program in this year’s budget, which will expose the next generation of our students to climate careers and New York’s incredible history. I look forward to learning about these cohorts’ achievements and contributions to our State in the years to come.”
During the program, which has multiple sessions during the summer, students will visit:
Brooklyn: Students gain hands-on experience while learning about academic and professional careers at the intersection of climate, environment and justice.
Kingston: This visit will focus on social justice and food justice, as students learn about Sojourner Truth and the YMCA Farm Project.
Syracuse: Students will learn about climate justice and explore college and careers, including landscape architecture and the impacts of the I-81 redesign; and participate in discussions about social justice and climate injustice.
Adirondacks: From SUNY ESF’s Newcomb Campus, students spend the week hiking Coney Mountain, paddling the Hudson River and learning about the climate impacts on wildlife and forestry and forest management.