SEI
  • About Us
    • Programs
    • SEI's Team
    • Our History
    • Media & News
    • Strategic Priorities
  • Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Advisory Committees
    • Our Board
    • Partners
    • Awards
    • Contact
  • Careers
  • Give
    • Workplace Giving
    • Donate Stock

Students Leaders Spearhead Equitable Park Access

6/15/2021

0 Comments

 
By Tyler Valdes & TTriss Williams Renard
Picture
For over 10 years, the School of Environmental Leadership (SEL), a program of SEI, has built strong, innovative leaders who are empowered to creatively and critically analyze issues and formulate plans of action. In the spring of 2020, as growing research has demonstrated the extensive health benefits that result from exposure to outdoor environments, Marin County Parks announced the continuance of its community grant program called “Breathe/Respira!” which seeks to provide the means to help the local community have access to parks. The title symbolizes the ability of outdoor recreation and connection with nature to reduce stress and improve health with the Spanish translation of “breathe”, respira, included to underscore the importance of making parks available to all Marin communities regardless of language or cultural background. Upholding strong values of equity and inclusion, SEL was successfully awarded a grant to support equitable access to parks for underserved communities -  a project that would be spearheaded by SEL students.
​

Under the guidance of SEI staff and the Marin Environmental Forum, 10th grade students in SEI’s flagship SEL -  Marin School of Environmental Leadership   (MarinSEL) - coordinated a year-long Leadership and Environmental Action Development (LEAD) project that brought students at Laurel Dell Elementary School to local green spaces. LEAD projects, a key component of SEL, are equity-forward, community-based environmental action projects that focus on policy change. While the original project design culminated in a field day for K-8 students and their families in Marin County parks, the challenge of COVID-19 restrictions called for solutions driven by creativity, a 21st century skill fostered through SEL.

After weeks of research and preparation, MarinSEL students virtually led eco-literacy lessons for 70 Laurel Dell Elementary students that provided information on visiting and connecting with Marin County parks. These students also coordinated outreach to 7 classrooms and found that 83% of students want to visit County parks more.  With this knowledge, MarinSEL students followed up the virtual lessons by creating and distributing Park Exploration Kits to 56 students that included field guides, sprouting pencils, journals, binoculars, and magnifying glasses. The kits not only supported eco-literacy lessons, but also served to increase students' sense of belonging in and studying of nature and natural ecosystems. Alongside the curriculum and kits, MarinSEL students supported student engagement with the Laurel Dell campus garden by providing garden supplies such as pots, soil, and seeds. Both the kits and garden supplies were made possible through Breathe/Respira! Funds.
Picture
A Laurel Dell student using their Park Exploration Kit to spot local flora and fauna from their "Nature of San Francisco and the Bay Area" field guide 
Picture
A Laurel Dell family enjoys time together visiting a local park, outside in the open air, and near now familiar flora
In order to further alleviate access to outdoor spaces, the project team leveraged Breathe/Respira! funds to empower families with the resources to embark on park excursions using their kits. MarinSEL students provided Laurel Dell families with public health tips and instructions for their kits in both English and Spanish which encouraged  increased outdoor activity. Overall, 14 families enjoyed their Park Exploration Kits in local green spaces with an enriched sense of belonging and joy.  
Picture
Another Laurel Dell family, enjoying time together in an outdoor setting, discovering the kit resources
With the help of dedicated Laurel Dell teachers, SEL distributed stipends to families to support standard mileage and food allowance associated with their outdoor adventures. Through empowering families with knowledge, tools, and resources, this LEAD project deepened Laurel Dell students’ connection with nature while sparking newfound curiosities and enthusiasm for the outdoors. As SEI continues to address systemic barriers to safe and healthy environments, SEL students’ dedication and ingenuity drive us closer to creating a resilient world where all communities thrive.​

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Get In Touch

    Do you know an environmental leader who should be featured in a story?  Reach out to [email protected]. 

    Categories

    All
    Board Spotlight
    Career Pathways
    CCEO
    Climate Change
    Climate Corps
    Education Resources
    Energize Careers
    Energize Colleges
    Energize Schools
    Environmental Challenge
    Fellow Spotlight
    Garden Education
    HIgher Education
    School Of Environmental Leadership
    School Sustainability
    Youth Action
    Zero Waste Marin

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    February 2025
    November 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    April 2024
    November 2023
    October 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020

    RSS Feed

Get Involved

Mission

Careers

Give

Picture
Picture

​Contact Us

Read our Impact Report 

​Download our Impact Report

​Media Kit

​SEI Headquarters
100 Smith Ranch Road, Suite 124
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone:  (415) 507 - 2181
​Email: [email protected] 
States where we work:
​Arizona
California 
Colorado
Indiana
New Mexico
New York 
New Jersey
North Carolina 
Oregon
Washington

Washington, D.C.

Connect

Subscribe to the SEI quarterly newsletter to get involved and receive updates
subscribe

SEI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
Strategic Energy Innovations © ​2024.   Privacy Policy   Terms of Use
  • About Us
    • Programs
    • SEI's Team
    • Our History
    • Media & News
    • Strategic Priorities
  • Stories
  • Get Involved
    • Advisory Committees
    • Our Board
    • Partners
    • Awards
    • Contact
  • Careers
  • Give
    • Workplace Giving
    • Donate Stock