Urban Green Heroes Youth Program

Norwood

Youth

LGBTQ+ People

Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color

The challenge being addressed by the Urban Green Heroes Youth Program is the lack of environmental education, hands-on experience, and job training opportunities for young people in underserved neighborhoods, especially those in urban settings like Bedford Park and Norwood in the Bronx. These areas often face a disconnect between youth and the green spaces around them, limited exposure to sustainable practices, and fewer opportunities for engagement in environmental stewardship. Many urban youth lack access to comprehensive environmental education, which could help them understand sustainability, ecology, and the importance of green spaces in their neighborhoods. In densely urbanized areas, children and teens often grow up with limited access to natural environments, reducing their sense of connection to nature and the importance of its preservation. Young people in these communities often have limited job opportunities in fields related to sustainability, gardening, or environmental conservation, which can limit future career prospects. Although the Bronx has many parks and community gardens, these spaces may not be well-maintained or fully utilized by local residents, particularly youth. There is a need to foster a sense of community pride and civic responsibility, and environmental stewardship offers an effective way to engage youth in caring for their neighborhoods and contributing positively to the community.

The Urban Green Heroes Youth Program directly addresses these challenges by providing hands-on environmental education, job skills training, and opportunities for youth to actively participate in caring for local green spaces. By empowering young people as environmental leaders, the program helps bridge the gap between youth, nature, and community, creating a more sustainable and engaged future for both the participants and the neighborhoods they live in. Through environmental non-profit Future of Mosholu Parkland, we can expand our youth program. Our goal is to empower students to become stewards of their local parks and green spaces through environmental education, hands-on experiences, and leadership opportunities. We aim to train local students to maintain green spaces, such as parks, community gardens, and tree pits. Provide youth mentorship in environmental leadership, focusing on sustainable gardening, landscaping, and park conservation. Offer workshops on tree care, soil health, composting, and creating green infrastructure in urban areas. Strengthens local ownership of green spaces and builds skills in environmental sustainability. Funding needs would go towards, training materials, gardening tools, stipends for youth leaders, and program staff salaries.

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