“Climate action” can feel abstract, urgent, global, and overwhelming. But meaningful environmental change often begins at a much smaller scale: with individual strengths, relationships, and creative expression. And yes — your part of the story really does matter.
This year’s Earth Fest Forum welcomes you to explore your place in the work. What are your interests? What are your passions? What are your concerns, and what is your capacity? Find inspiration as keynote speaker Isaias Hernandez and a panel of UW–Madison students share their own paths into climate work — what shaped them, what sustains them, and how they translate passion into environmental action.
Interested in bringing a large group to the event? Contact Alessandra Rella at arella@wisc.edu.
Schedule
4 p.m.: Exhibit Hall and registration open, light refreshments served
Check in, make connections, explore Water@UW Flow Project art, play a round of conservation bingo, and meet groups taking environmental action in our community.
Bring your own T-shirt, tote bag, or hat for FREE live screen printing by Phantasy Prints.
5:15–6:45 p.m.: Keynote and Panel Discussion
Environmentalist and storyteller Isaias Hernandez — known by hundreds of thousands online as @queerbrownvegan — will share his journey of environmental action with Earth Fest in his keynote presentation, “Sustainably Loving Ourselves Through Climate Action.” Then hear how several current UW–Madison students found their place in the movement through a panel discussion.
Meet the Speakers
Isaias Hernandez
Isaias Hernandez is an environmentalist, educator, and creative devoted to improving environmental literacy through content creation, storytelling, and public engagements.
Isaias is more commonly known by his moniker, Queer Brown Vegan, the independent media platform he started to bring intersectional environmental education to all.
His journey to deconstruct complex issues, while centering diversity and authenticity, has resonated with a worldwide audience. He also collaborates with other leaders from the private and public sectors to uplift and produce stories of change for his independent web series, Sustainable Jobs and Teaching Climate Together.
Isaias has been featured in several noteworthy publications, including Vogue, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Business Insider. His social media advocacy earned him recognition as a top climate creator by Harvard C-CHANGE. As a public speaker, he’s presented for The New York Times, Nike, UC Berkeley, Billie Eilish’s Overheated Summit, Harvard University, and more. He recently cofounded the Symbiocene events company that produces climate-forward events.
Isaias is based in Los Angeles and New York, working as a full-time content creator, public speaker, and dog parent.
Panelists
Iliana Harris is graduating this spring with a BS in graphic design and a certificate in environmental studies. On campus, she serves as a student ambassador for the School of Education and is the social media and marketing chair for the Re-Wear It executive board. Iliana’s experience as an artist and environmental steward has been interdisciplinary and she has found creative ways to combine her passions to create meaningful work.
Ben Hein is a junior studying environmental engineering with certificates in engineering for energy sustainability and environmental studies. He’s the project development team-lead for WiscWind and conducts environmental chemistry research in the Water Science and Engineering Lab. Last summer, Ben interned with Trotter and Associates, where he worked on water and wastewater treatment plant design projects to improve both drinking water and treated water quality.
Sagen Quale is an agroecology graduate student in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, where she focuses on all things Manoomin (wild rice), including harvesting, restoration, population monitoring on lakes, gathering oral histories, and hosting seasonal rice harvest camps. Since her time as an undergraduate at UW, Sagen has been involved with the Eagle Heights Community Gardens, where her love for farming and land first sprouted. Sagen is passionate about shedding light on issues within our food systems by focusing on and strengthening local Indigenous food sovereignty practices.
Beth Tellman (moderator) is an assistant professor at the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies.
Partners and Supporters
The Earth Fest forum is hosted in partnership with the UW–Madison Latine Cultural Center.
With support from:
- Alliant Energy
- Madison Gas and Electric
- University of Wisconsin Environmental Awareness Fund
- UW–Madison Anonymous Fund
- Holstrom-Kineke Environmental Studies Fund