Well good evening, everyone, and thank you so much for joining us.

I hope everyone has thawed after the long weekend, and we have a truly special evening ahead of us tonight, and I'm excited to get us kicked off.

My name is Meghan Sivakoff.

I'm COO at lyra, and before I pass the mic to our fabulous opening speaker, Speaker of the House Julie McCluskey, I'd like to take a few moments to recognize some key individuals and organizations, who played a really vital role in making both this film possible as well as tonight possible.

So first, a heartfelt thank you to Julie Speer Jackson of Julie Speer Productions and Truce Media.

Julie, give a wave.

As our producer of this film alongside our very talented videographer Sarah Hamilton, they brought this project to life with incredible creativity over multiple years, and it took years to make.

But we are so grateful that she agreed to partner with us on this project.

We would also like to give, a sincere thank you to Rocky Mountain PBS.

They are airing this film next Thursday night at 7 p.m. and they have been generous, generous co-sponsors of this event and amazing hosts for tonight's screenings.

So thank you, Rocky Mountain PBS and Mark and Sarah.

I'd also like to recognize some of the other elected officials who are joining us here tonight.

Colorado Board of Education member Lisa Escárcega and Board Chair Rebecca McClellan.

I also want to recognize Angelika Schroeder, who recently left the state board.

Please stand for us.

Thank you guys for being here and for your continued dedication to education in Colorado.

A big shout out to our team at Lyra.

I am very lucky to work alongside such an amazing, dedicated group of individuals.

Emily Southwell, who I'm not seeing at the moment.

But you may have met her already this evening.

Ellarie Anderson and Elizabeth Harbaugh, who couldn't be here tonight, as well as Mary Sewell, who you will all hear from later this evening.

And we have some of our board members in attendance tonight.

Thank you.

To the Lyra board.

For your constant guidance and strategic support.

Abby Schaller, Kate Bartlett, Jess Roberts, and Tom Gougeon.

So thank you all.

And of course, none of this would be possible without generous support from our funders.

So a special thank you to the Gates Family Foundation who helped to launch Lyra's work and Lyra in Rural Climate education.

As well as to the Margulf Foundation for their faith and partnership in us.

and making the development of this film possible.

And finally, and most importantly, thank you to the partners in Yampa Valley, in southwest Colorado and in Lake County, who are all featured in this film.

Your voices and stories are so central to this project, and thank you for your trust and partnership.

We I'm very excited for the panel of students and educators who are going to follow the screening of this film and share their stories, moderated by Katie Navin.

And Mary will be introducing them later.

But thank you all for being here tonight.

You may be wondering why an endeavor to make a documentary.

And in our work, we believe deeply in the power of storytelling.

Stories are how we connect to each other, how we share our challenges, our triumphs, and our vision for the future.

Stories are, helpful to bridge divides across political and ideological lines.

And the conversations that we've seen happening in Colorado rural communities about resilience in the face of a changing climate are powerful.

So are the efforts that are underway to prepare our youth as the next generation workforce that has to both live with and address these challenges.

So we hope that by sharing these local efforts, other communities can see themselves in this work, feel empowered, and understand that their voices matter.

And with that, I'm really honored to introduce our opening speaker for the evening, Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives Julie McCluskey.

Speaker McCluskey represents Colorado House district 13, which includes counties Chaffee.

Oh, gosh.

Cherry I was like this.

Which includes Chaffee Grande, Jackson Lake Park and Summit County, a proud native Coloradoan, she lives in Summit County and has spent much of her career in public education.

Throughout her time in the legislature, speaker McCluskey has been a champion for equitable funding for public schools, workforce development programs, and economic opportunities for rural communities.

She's also led efforts to combat the climate crisis, to protect public lands, and to preserve the beauty of Colorado's natural resources.

I can think of no one better to open for this event tonight.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Speaker McCluskey.

(applause) Thank you, Meghan.

Oh.

Thank you.

What an honor it is to be here tonight.

I am just delighted to join you for the the premier of “Climatarium”.

I had a sneak preview last night and was so inspired by the stories.

Really appreciate that comment about storytelling, and I want to get back to that in a minute.

I want to talk first just about being a Coloradan.

You know, we are an amazing breed of people.

We are here either because we were born and raised and refused to leave, or we've moved here because of our iconic Rocky Mountains, our exceptionally beautiful, vibrant green forests, the waterways that so many of us raft, fish or enjoy.

And it is truly exciting to see the level of connection that so many of our kids have to what we value in this state.

My kids have grown up in Summit County, and I remember in eighth grade the river study where they got on their boots and galoshes and raincoats and went out in the snow in the middle of winter to do some river experimentation.

And my kids grew up at Keystone Science School, really falling in love with what it means to understand snow in the great outdoors.

But the climate change threats are so real in our state that we are seeing those in our own backyards, right?

The threat of wildfire, the prolonged drought that has impacted the Colorado River, and so many of our our beautiful water ways.

And it's our kids and the hope that we see in this next generation that we need to capture, hang on to and fuel.

Right?

The Seal of Climate Literacy, a piece of legislation that moved through the House in the Senate just a few short years ago is now come to life.

And when you watch the film and realize what this kind of opportunity the doors that this this seal opens for a student graduating from high school, 10% growth in green jobs between 2022 and 2027.

That means the opportunities are rich and the interest even richer.

I am.

I am so honored to serve the six counties of my district, and even more honored to serve as the speaker of the House.

I am the first woman to serve from the Western Slope, and I am the first woman to serve for four years as Speaker of the House.

And I will.

Yeah, yeah.

Thank you.

Thank you.

And I will tell you that being on the Western slope, living at the base of the mountains, I have the tremendous opportunity to lift up the voices of this great state, recognizing how important our environment is to us today and to our future, and being a strong advocate for our public schools.

I was so proud to watch rural educators embrace the idea of of climate action in their schools with their kids through experiential learning programs in agriculture, in in outdoor rec, learning what it means to be a part of the entire ecosystem of this state.

Just such a powerful, powerful story.

And if there is anything that matters in politics, it's being able to share your story.

So if you are a student here tonight, will you raise your hand for me really high?

Be proud.

Be proud.

I love it all right.

Every one of you is invited to come to the Capitol.

We're in session until May 7th.

I want you to come down and share your story.

Share your story of why this program is important to you, what it means to you, why climate action is so important to you, and your family and your friends.

We need to hear your stories, because that's what moves mountains.

And nothing could be more important right now than having your partnership in inspiring all of us old folks that are down there in that building.

So thank you all.

I really appreciate the opportunity to be here tonight.

Lyra.

Thank you Mary.

Thank you so much, Meghan.

The entire team that put this film together, Rocky Mountain PBS, what a great group of champions.

And I will unfortunately not be able to stay for the the panel.

Sorry that I'm going to miss the kids.

But again, please, please come visit us.

Come visit.

Come visit your public servants.

Learn more about the Seal of Climate Literacy and let us know how we can better support you and your journey to be a climate action warrior.

Thank you all.

(applause) Amazing.

Thank you, Speaker McCluskey, for those inspiring words and your leadership in education and climate advocacy.

And now please enjoy the documentary.

(applause)