Climathon 2026

The Teen Climate Innovation Sprint

Cityscape of Portland, Oregon at sunset with a view of the Mount St. Helens volcano in the background, featuring a bridge and various buildings.

One Week.

One Secret Challenge.

Real Impact.

Can you solve a city-sized problem in just seven days?

Future Climate Collective invites Portland-area high schoolers to step into the shoes of city planners, engineers, and community organizers.

We provide the mentor and the platform; you provide the innovation.

Checkout the results of Climathon

Read the Team Solution Briefs Here
Group of four young people standing together on stage, holding a trophy with a tree design, in front of a large screen displaying 'FIRST PLACE' and a trophy icon. A person stands to the left, and the background is dark with some equipment visible.
Five young men standing on stage in front of a large screen displaying 'Second Place' with shield and ribbon icons

Congratulations to our winning teams!

And thank you to everyone who showed up, contributed, and made this Climathon possible.

Why Join?

  • Win Big: $750 for the 1st place team; $250 for 2nd place.

  • Influence Policy: Your ideas will be heard by actual decision-makers who have the power to implement change in our city.

  • Build Your Resume: This is a high-level capstone project that proves your leadership, public speaking, and problem-solving skills to colleges.

  • Professional Networking: Work 1-on-1 with experts currently working in the climate sector.

Parking & Event Location

A detailed map of a school campus showing various athletic fields, buildings, parking areas, and zones. It includes labeled features such as baseball and soccer fields, gymnasium, library, student and employee parking, outdoor courts, a theater, a science building, and construction sites. The map also highlights specific zones for visitor and overflow parking, as well as faculty facilities.

2026 Climathon Challenge: Urban Forestry Resilience

The shade we enjoy today might not survive the climate of tomorrow. As we approach a global warming threshold of 1.5°C, Portland is experiencing more frequent extreme heat events and longer, drier summers. Our local tree canopy is struggling, posing risks to public safety and infrastructure.

Your Mission

Acting as Specialist Consulting Teams for the City of Portland’s Department of Urban Forestry, you must develop a data-driven solution to manage our declining urban forest. We aren't just looking for "more trees"—we are looking for a resilient forest that can thrive in a changing landscape.

Key Resources for Competitors

Climathon Design Challenge & Project Brief: Review the full scope, from policy pathways to technical requirements.

Judging Rubric: See exactly how you will be evaluated on communication, evidence, feasibility, and impact.

Important Dates

March 13, 2026 (5:00 PM): Solutions Brief (2–3 page PDF) due to info@futureclimatecollective.com

March 14, 2026 (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM): Final Proposal Pitches at Catlin Gabel School (8825 SW Barnes Rd, Portland, OR).

Visitors can enter campus from Barnes Road. If you turn left at the entrance, you can park near the Creative Arts Center (CAC), where the event will take place. This lot has limited parking (about 20 spaces).

For more reliable parking, turn right at the campus entrance and park in the main lot. All parking spaces are open to visitors on weekends.

The event will be held in the Black Box Theater, located on the lower level of the Creative Arts Center (CAC).