Students

Growing Up Wild: Fostering Youth Development through Education and Environmental Stewardship

By Ismael Cruz  |  May 7, 2021

Youth reminds us of the curiosity and awe we all once held of the world around us. That same curiosity lays the foundation of science-based inquiry. Even when constrained, youth creates dreams, possibilities, and innovation. In this month’s interview, Ismael Cruz, founder of Growing Up Wild, talks about his journey in connecting youth to nature, fostering environmental stewardship, and creating an equitable approach to outdoor education.

Hoover Hawks Victory Garden: A School and Community Jewel

By Trena Noval, Wanda Stewart  |  December 10, 2020

The Hoover Hawks Victory Garden thrives on the Hoover Elementary School campus in West Oakland, a neighborhood rich in history, culture and people. Urban farmer Wanda Stewart is the tireless champion and architect behind the garden project, which has become an intergenerational hub of healing, learning, and wonder for the local community. In this Q&A, Wanda shares her journey to change the lives of students, families, and neighbors by teaching them to nurture a vibrant, fruitful ecosystem.

2020 Distinguished Contribution Award Winners: Ten Strands and CAELI!

By Karen Cowe  |  November 23, 2020

Karen Cowe, Ten Strands CEO and California Environmental Literacy Initiative project director, discusses her work to uplift environmental literacy in this interview with California Association of Science Educators (CASE). This article originally appeared on the CASE website and was republished with permission.

A Silent Service: Why Water Workers Support Environmental Literacy and Career Technical Education

By Tiffany Baca  |  November 12, 2020

Water is a vital natural resource that shapes the development of California’s environmental, social, and economic landscape. Despite this, the essential workers that maintain California’s water supply are often overlooked. As a member of the California Environmental Literacy Initiative’s (CAELI) Leadership Council, Public Affairs Manager at the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), and leader of the Water Energy Education Alliance (WEEA), Tiffany Baca is working to change that. In this Q&A, Tiffany shares how environmental literacy frames her work at MWDOC, an agency that provides more than 3.2 million California residents with water-saving resources, water-centric education, sustainability programs, and clean drinking water.

California Youth Lead the Movement for Environmental Action

By Aniya Butler, Azucena Nieto, Isaac Wallace-Menge, Marlize Velasco, Rowyn Cook, Seth Whiteaker  |  July 6, 2020

Across California, young people are making change happen in their communities, and leading the way on environmental action. We interviewed four student leaders in Alameda, Orange, and Santa Cruz Counties who are transforming their communities by cultivating native gardens, teaching sustainable household practices, organizing climate conferences, and more. Hear their thoughts on environmental literacy, engaging young people, social justice, and what we all can do to help create a better tomorrow.

Aniya Butler: Leading Youth Activism for Environmental Justice

By Aniya Butler  |  July 6, 2020

Aniya Butler is a student who works with Youth Vs. Apocalypse. This climate activism group brings together young people in the Bay Area to uplift the voices of people of color and to stand up for environmental justice. As a volunteer, Aniya helps to mobilize her peers and organize climate strikes—the most recent having drawn tens of thousands of people in support. We spoke with Aniya about intersectionality in the environmental movement, the importance of educating youth about climate change, and more.

Azucena Nieto: Remembering Our Connection to the Natural World

By Azucena Nieto  |  July 6, 2020

Azucena Nieto is a youth artist and activist working with the Youth for Environmental Action (YEA) group in Santa Cruz County. Her powerful creative writing pieces represent the interconnectedness of nature and our responsibility to carry on the intergenerational fight for environmental conservation.