Social Marketing for Land Stewardship, especially w/ Teens

Hi Tiffany,

There's a program that I volunteer with here in Minnesota called Area Youth Network with the org, Great River Greening (http://www.greatrivergreening.org)

They partner with schools in the metro area and do a two step kind of program with the kids. I think what's engaging about it is -- there's education, then actual conservation work alongside mentors (professionals in enviro roles in the community), and then a wrap-up that connects leadership skills they need for their goals to the skills needed for conservation work. This all sounds very nice and sing-songy typed up, but in practice, I've found kids enthusiastic, engaged, and I get a lot of enjoyment out of the volunteer work.

I'd be happy to send you more information (like what the director sends volunteers about the programming) or connect you with Mark Turbak, the program director. It definitely hits home in terms of honing in on attitudes towards stewardship.



Michelle Vigen
Campaign and Metrics Coordinator
Clean Energy Resource Teams (University of MN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships)
http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org

Hello Tiffany:

You might want to look at Credit Valley Conservation's Conservation Youth Corps program - http://www.creditvalleyca.ca/cyc/. This program has been quite successful in terms of engaging youth in environmental restoration initiatives.

If you need any detail, I would be pleased to put you in touch with the coordinators.

Good luck,

Kate

Kate Hayes
Canada

Hello,
I have worked with teens (13-15)in a youth group setting for a one year cultural grant,in my limited experience they were all very passionate about any environmental topics we covered. I dont have anything specific plans for open space but would also be interested in any schedule/format that anyone has for environemental education topics in general, and experience on what works best for participation in youth groups.
Thanks,
Sylvia

Sylvia  Cornelius
Environmental Project Manager
Oneida Tribe of WI
United States

Congratulations on your new initiative. The youth programs that have enjoyed some success, in my experience, have been:
1. Tree care and planting. The planting needs to be done under close supervision with a tool safety lecture. But watering trees in their first two years is extremely important and is a less intensive activity. I have seen youths perform very well filling up the "gator bags." This also helps educate them the importance of trees to stormwater management and other benefits.
2. School gardens - This requires cooperation with school boards, faculties and parents, but when it works, it works well.
3. Urban lots/other spaces to nice pocket parks - The book "Open Spaces Sacred Places" by Stoner and Rapp, published TKF Foundation in 2008, gives a dozen success stories from a variety of experiences. Could be potential gardening activities.
4. Tree/insect/rock/bird identification walks - Requires an experienced naturalist or geologist, but they are really worth the effort of organizing. A local community college or university might refer the presenter.
5. Trash/litter pick-up walks - May not sound appealing at first, but if they are combined with some fun activity they are actually quite enjoyable.

Hope this helps and let us know how things go.

Robert Thomason
editor
GlobalResourcesNews.com
United States

The National Wildlife Federation in Alaska has a long standing program for teens, Alaska Youth for Environmental Action. Teens do real projects. It might be a model worth considering for your effort. The director is Jim Adams, [email protected].


Joette Storm

Joette Storm, APR
Sustainability Coordinator
U-Med Green District

Mark Turbak's contact information is:

Great River Greening
[email protected]
651-665-9500

I spoke with him the other day and he said he would love to talk with you and share any information you're looking for. -- Michelle

Michelle Vigen
Campaign and Metrics Coordinator
Clean Energy Resource Teams (University of MN Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships)
http://www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org