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I SPY...
What's up next for Street Parks Youth
Down & Dirty
Stories from the garden
Ground Breakers
Profiles of green professionals and activists
Seed Packets
Events, resume builders and volunteer opportunities
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Erica Fernandez
Activist
Breaking Ground : keynote speaker
16 years old
Oxnard, CA
When Erica found out that BHP Billiton oil company was planning to build an underground pipeline that would pump liquefied natural gas (LNG) through her home town of Oxnard, CA she could have done nothing, but then she wouldn't be a ground breaker.
Instead she took action. Partnering with the Sierra Club and Latino No on LNG, she worked to mobilize the youth and Latino voice in her community.
She started by hitting the books (the less glorified part of activism) so that she could inform her community about the dangers of this kind of pipeline. An LNG pipeline could lead to crop contamination, certain kinds of cancer and rashes. Not to mention that liquid natural gas is incredibly flammable and has been the cause of explosions and fires in the past.
So she took this information to the community; visiting local high schools and community centers. She organized weekly protests at the BHP Billiton offices in Oxnard, met regularly with community members, marched through neighborhoods that would be most impacted, reached out to the media, and brought more than 250 high school students to a critical rally.
Erica spoke at a State Land Commission hearing on the issue. Not only did she receive a standing ovation from her community supporters but the commission voted unanimously in her favor.
Yes, the multi-billion dollar corporation's project was crushed by the efforts of an informed, active community. And yes, that community was activated by a 16-year-old powerhouse. How's that for breaking ground?
Erica was recently honored for her work and received the prestigious Brower Youth Award.
Did I mention that she will be speaking about her experiences at the Breaking Ground conference?
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Got something to say? Email me: jasmine@sfpt.org
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As I hope you already know, SFPT is hosting a gardening youth conference on November 12th. I am so exited about Breaking Ground that I couldn't help but talk about it. I hope you'll enjoy the articles about the conference, and will be inspired to register and attend!
-Jasmine
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Breaking Ground:
Urban Gardening Youth Conference
Join us for an inspiring day of discussion, workshops, and live music. This conference isn't just about planting flowers; it's about how greening can make cities saner, safer and more livable. Want to save the planet? Start here. Open and free to all high school students.
Monday, November 12th It's a school holiday, we checked!
10AM - 11AM Breakfast Club
Show up early for breakfast and spirited discussion. (optional)
11AM - 3PM Conference
Location: CELLspace 2050 Bryant Street map
Space is Limited! Please RSVP NOW.
MUST RSVP BY November 8th at 5PM
Call Julia
at 415-750-5110
or email julia@sfpt.org
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Get the Word Out
Check out the Breaking Ground workshop on youth green media
Youth contributors to The Green and The Green Screen will be leading a workshop on the in and outs of green media. They will discuss topics from media technology to news reporting.
The Green is a monthly online environmental new source written by and for young people. The Green is always taking submissions, everything from news pieces to poetry to photography. The Green Screen is a locally broadcast television show. It is entirely youth produced and, like the The Green, it covers green news that is relevant to young people. You can catch The Green Screen on KCRT Channel 28.
Both The Green and The Green Screen cover interesting and cool green events around the Bay Area. Since Breaking Ground is all of the above, it should be obvious that The Green Screen will be there covering it.
Both The Green and The Green Screen are program of Earth Team, a local network for teachers, students and green leaders.
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SPY in November: Sunset Community Garden
Saturday, November 17th
10AM - 2PM
Location:
Sunset Comminity Garden
37th Avenue @ Pacheco Street in San Francisco
Street Parks Youth (we call it SPY for short) meets once a month at local Street Parks and community gardens for a fun day of gardening, community service and FREE LUNCH!
Please, join us. We'd love to see you there.
RSVP SOON!
Call Julia at 415-750-5110
or email julia@sfpt.org
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Plants Gone Wild!
Candlestick Park get a makeover from LEJ
On Saturday October 13th (and a bunch of Saturdays before that too) local volunteers hit Candlestick Park with Literacy For Environmental Justice (LEJ). The Slough Youth Program is an ongoing habitat restoration project at Candlestick Park. Volunteers propagated seeds, worked in the "Plants Gone Wild" nursery, picked apples, and ate a few too.
The word of the day for habitat restoration? Native! The LEJ project and others like it reintroduce plants that are native to California back into the habitat and take out some of the non-natives to restore ecological balance. I called Connie Shahid, a 2005 Brower Youth Award winner, LEJ member, and Breaking Ground conference speaker, to ask her what the big deal is about native plants. Native plants can be so good for so many reasons. Natives, according to Connie, are adapted to local conditions and need less maintenance. Unlike non-natives, they use fewer resources and less water. Also, the presence of natives increases biodiversity (the number of animals and insect species in a given area, plus more good stuff).
Connie will be giving the full story on native plants at the conference, so you can see her then (hint, hint)
More about LEJ
More about Native Plants
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