Involving youth in community environmental affairs

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Permalink Reply by Jeanine Silversmith on March 24, 2009 at 9:08am

I think this is a great discussion to have. "Youth voice" is one of the key components in any truly effective and powerful service project. That is, the more they have a hand in making key decisions concerning their project, the more invested they are and the more they learn and so much more. But getting them involved in the civic process is taking it to the next level. If teens feel that we, as adults, are not just allowing them to be part of the decision making process, but actually actively seeking out their opinions and knowledge, then - watch out!! - they'll be that much more involved and empowered. (I mean, it works with my 3 year old, so why not with teens?)

The teens I've seen over the years that do this are the teens that figure out what they really want to study in college, whether it's environmental sciences or policy or something seemingly unrelated to conservation but still really focused.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Murphy on March 25, 2009 at 4:18pm

I don't have anything quite as impressive as Marilyn's TREE group and my students come and go like the tide among our city's schools. I got lucky and was able to get to teach environmental ed as an elective in my middle school. The students helped clean up a local river last fall and next month will work at a nature preserve area. We have a new mayor and they "might" be included on an environmental committee he is forming as jumior spokespersons (is that spelled correctly?).

Permalink Reply by Marilyn Brennan on March 25, 2009 at 5:45pm

I would encourage you to really try to push this and try to spark some interest among the youth. Are there any After School programs you can hook up with...or start your own? If you have some 4-H groups in your area (contact local County Cooperative Extension), that might be a good way to form a consistent group that can include your middle school students. There might even be a natural resource 4-H group in your area...you never know. Also, very often, the 4-H community has a relationship with local government through the Extension. Good luck...It takes a while to build a program and attract youth and volunteers...but it can be done!