Events
2025 National Forum
July 31 - August 2, 2025
Over 170 Lawmakers Attend NCEL National Forum in Boston to Collaborate on State-Led Environmental Solutions
Overview
From July 31 to August 2, more than 170 legislators from 40 states and territories convened in Boston for NCEL’s annual National Forum. The event brought together lawmakers and experts from across the environmental policy spectrum to explore how states can lead on climate, energy, conservation, and environmental health, especially as federal support continues to erode.
Impact: The Largest NCEL Forum Yet
The 2025 National Forum was NCEL’s largest and most impactful convening to date, with energy and optimism radiating from the 170+ lawmakers in attendance. The Forum welcomed both seasoned leaders and newly elected legislators who are bringing fresh ideas and perspectives to the environmental space.
- Roughly one-third of attendees were new legislators serving in their first or second term.
- Roughly one-third chaired key environmental, energy, or transportation committees.
- 22% held leadership roles within their legislature, such as Speaker or Minority Leader.
- Forum attendees sponsored over 400 environmental bills in 2025, many of which were featured as case studies and models for other states at the Forum.
Forum Sessions: A Focus on Emerging and Intersecting Issues
This year’s Forum reflected NCEL’s mission to advance a healthy environment for all, with sessions addressing the complex challenges legislators face: intensifying environmental impacts, economic pressures, and political uncertainty.
The opening plenary explored how states are funding environmental solutions amid declining federal support, highlighting tools like green banks and tourism-related “green fees.” Other plenaries and breakout sessions equipped lawmakers with actionable strategies on affordable housing, extreme weather accountability, sustainable agriculture, toxic chemical protections, and embedding equity into environmental policy.
Speakers from across the country emphasized how environmental threats — from sea level rise to insurance instability — are directly affecting constituents’ health and finances. Legislators gained insights on aligning environmental solutions with community priorities to craft policies that are both impactful and politically resilient.
2025 NCEL Awards: Celebrating State Leadership, Innovation, and Impact
During the Forum’s opening day, NCEL awarded six legislators for their outstanding contributions to environmental policy in their states.
Rising Environmental Leader Award
Awarded to NCEL members Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph and Oregon State Representative Mark Gamba, for their strong environmental leadership early in their legislative careers.
- Colorado State Representative Junie Joseph was recognized for her early and impactful leadership on climate, conservation, and Tribal issues, and for elevating environmental justice in her community.
- Oregon State Representative Mark Gamba was honored for his leadership on grid and transmission issues and for helping launch NCEL’s Northwest Energy Convening in 2024.
Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award
Awarded to NCEL members Maryland State Delegate Sheila Ruth and North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison, for outstanding accomplishments on environmental issues throughout their careers.
- Maryland State Delegate Sheila Ruth was recognized for her long-time leadership on PFAS, pollinators, pesticides, and plastics, and for spearheading the Maryland Connectivity Coalition to advance wildlife conservation and roadway safety.
- North Carolina State Representative Pricey Harrison received the award for her steadfast dedication to environmental policy as well as her leadership as an NCEL Board Member and as a national messenger for the network.
Renny Cushing Environmental Activism Award
Awarded to NCEL members New Mexico State Representative Kristina Ortez and Maryland State Senator Benjamin Brooks, for their perseverance and leadership in advancing justice, equity, and sustainability in their work.
- New Mexico State Representative Kristina Ortez was recognized for her commitment to clean water, equitable outdoor access, and community-based conservation.
- Maryland State Senator Benjamin Brooks was recognized for his leadership in passing PFAS protections and advancing deposit return legislation, while centering equity in all policy efforts.
2025 Special Events and Keynote Speakers
In addition to plenary and breakout sessions, the Forum featured evening receptions, pre-forum gatherings, and a post-forum outdoor outing.
- Pre-Forum Sessions | July 31: NCEL hosted targeted sessions on regional issues like marine and grid policy, plus roundtables for newly elected lawmakers and philanthropic partners to explore NCEL’s network and services.
- Opening Night Reception | July 31: The Forum kicked off with a vibrant reception at the Westin Copley Place, featuring local fare, live music, and remarks from Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer on the value of state-led climate action.
- New England Aquarium Reception | August 1: Friday’s reception at the New England Aquarium featured immersive exhibits and remarks from climate strategist and educator Sage Lenier, who emphasized the power of state lawmakers in shaping an inspiring and collaborative climate narrative.
- Outdoor Outing: Boston Nature Center | August 2: Legislators closed out the weekend at the Boston Nature Center with NCEL and Mass Audubon staff. Activities included a tour of the Center’s outdoor preschool, a guided nature walk, and a Q&A panel with five Massachusetts high school students championing the inclusion of climate education in public schools.
Looking Ahead: State Leadership at a Crucial Time for the Environment
After two days of learning and collaboration, legislators left the 2025 Forum energized and equipped to lead in the upcoming legislative sessions. The event underscored a key truth: when federal action stalls, states rise.
With federal environmental protections under threat — and climate change, biodiversity loss, and community impacts accelerating — the role of states is more critical than ever. From financing innovative climate solutions to embedding justice in policy, state lawmakers are proving that progress is not only possible, but highly impactful when they collaborate and learn from one another.
Heading into 2026, NCEL will continue to support legislators nationwide with the tools, networks, and convenings needed to meet this moment.
Learn More & Get In Touch
Visit NCEL’s website to learn more about the issues we work on, get in touch with NCEL staff, and explore the year-round opportunities with NCEL.
Thank You to Our 2025 Sponsors!
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
About NCEL: Created by and for state legislators, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes over 1,300 environmentally committed state legislators from all 50 states and both parties. NCEL provides venues and opportunities for lawmakers to share ideas and collaborate on environmental issues.
Legislator Spotlights
NCEL conferences are one of my favorites because we always talk about actual solutions I can take back to my district. Other conferences I go to we mostly sit around and admire the problem.
Fue Lee, State Representative, Minnesota
The information we learned and the knowledge we shared with colleagues nationwide gives me hope that together we can work to protect our environment. The variety and depth of topics discussed opened my mind new ideas for future legislation.
Laura Fine, State Representative, Illinois
NCEL regularly presents cutting-edge information and suggested solutions on pertinent environmental issues. I find my participation to be extremely worthwhile!
David Senjem, Former State Senator, Minnesota
Of the different legislative conferences I attend, NCEL’s annual forum is always the most relevant and useful one. I appreciate the way NCEL connects policy discussions to model legislation and provides legislators with a wealth of resources for transforming ideas into bills that are the vehicle for implementing those ideas.
Nicole Lowen, State Representative, Hawaii
“NCEL’s ability to give us quick information – whitepapers, data, stats, and history of legislation in other parts of the country – is super helpful because it saves us a lot of time in figuring out how we can most effectively do the work of protecting our planet, fight climate change, and advance environmental justice.”
Abraham Aiyash, State Representative, Michigan
The NCEL National Forum continues to be one of my favorite events of the year because it is always a perfect mix of novel legislative ideas ready for implementation and networking with other legislators and professionals who care deeply about our environment.
Steve Yeager, State Assemblymember, Nevada
