Youth Can Be EnvironmentalEducators Too

Agenda

• Presenter: Charles Orgbon, Greening Forward CEO

• What does youth voice and youth leadership in environmental education really mean?

• How do we get young people interested in environmental issues and careers?

Introductions

• Your Location• Your Profession

What Defines Youth?

• Youth Service America: 5-25 years old• Funder/Partner Eligibility

Roger Hart’s Ladder of Youth Voice

Service-LearningDiagram was Adapted by DePaul University

Classroom Applications

Can youth drive the education process?http://lift.nylc.org/ Youth Voice

Resources: Indicators ChecklistYouth Voice EvaluationAdult/Youth Partnership Self-Assessment

BenefitsSource: Champion, F. (1999). Service learning. Educational Psychology Interactive.

Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University.

• An increase of self-esteem;• A sense of empowerment by participating in community service where they

are needed, valued, and respected;• Improved citizenship as a result of active engagement in community life; • A heightening the student's desire to learn through their experience.• A heightened sense of personal and social responsibility;• More positive attitudes toward adults;• More active exploration of careers;• Enhanced self-esteem;• Growth in moral ego development;• More complex pattern of thoughts; and• Greater mastery of skills and content.

Environmental Leadership Hierarchy

Inspiring others to become active stakeholders in the environmental movement is powerful. This can be done through advocacy, service,

activism, and philanthropy.

This level describes individuals and organizations who actually follow the regulatory rules and policies of the government. Those who disregard these conventions completely and deserve no place on the environmental leadership spectrum. This level is at the bottom because these individuals and organizations are being told to obliged, however, there is still a choice involved. That choice is a form of environmental leadership. Examples of leadership include not littering or illegal burning and dumping.

Many people are environmental leaders at some level. This level describes the everyday people who choose to run a full load of laundry, use mass transit, and purchase energy-saving light bulbs.

Matters of public and safety belong at this level. These are people and organizations who often choose to pay an up-front cost, but also believe that cost’s impact on the community justifies the expense. Examples include sustainable agriculture, installing solar panels, and purchasing a hybrid vehicle. Even carbon offsets belong here.

Increasing Opportunities for Positive Choices

Increasing Personal and Social Development

What’s Your Audience

• Revisit key parts of the program• Get outsider input• Young Environmentalists Network

Innovate

Innovate

Questions

Greening Forward

www.greeningforward.org

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Greening Forward GrantsNon-point source pollution such as stormwater poses the most significant threat to the ecological quality and integrity of our nation’s waterways. Here are 2 ways we can help:•10 x $1,400 Grants to Support Stream Monitors:

– Stream monitoring is one way that youth groups can help their municipal, county, state, and federal governments in receiving data that they can use to better address the needs of our waterways. Moreover, this grant intentionally funds composting bins and rain barrels which each play a role in intercepting and minimizing stormwater.

•10 x $1,400 Grants to Support School Rain Gardens:– Rain gardens serve a meaningful role in intercepting stormwater by capturing and filtering

pollutants before they reach our sensitive waterways. Moreover, this grant intentionally funds composting bins and rain barrels which each play a role in intercepting and minimizing stormwater.

Greening Forward is looking to empower 10 youth groups across the country to do environmental problem-solving in each of these issue area. Apply before September 25th at 12am EST and contact Marissa Vessels at marissa@greeningforward.orgif you have any questions. Grants will be distributed by November 1st.

Thanks for Joining Us

Charles Orgbon, CEO, Greening Forwardcorgbon@greeningforward.org