The young leaders of the ECO2school Youth Leadership Board have a new exciting project for 2022! Last year, our Youth Board (student leaders from various Sonoma County high schools) co-designed and piloted the Green Heart Community Design Challenge to engage and apply their understanding of climate and ecosystem health. 14 students submitted projects to take action against the climate crisis. This year, Jesenia Garcia’s Waste Reduction Plan was chosen to be implemented with Sonoma County Office of Education’s Environmental Justice Coalition for equitable climate action.
The Reduce Your Waste project includes recommendations for schools and youth centers to take responsibility for reducing waste produced on campus and to educate students on waste management. The Youth Board received a $1,500 grant to support their pilot project at Chop’s Teen Club; where they conducted a waste audit, made green purchasing plan recommendations, partnered with Sonoma Recology to provide well-labeled waste stations with compost, recycling, and e-waste options, and are about to start vermi-composting (worms) on site to build healthy soil for a campus garden project.
Our Youth Leadership Board is creating a culture of care and stewardship for their schools and communities. They are leading the change they want to see in their world, and we are so grateful for their partnership, energy, and wisdom.