Dennins Mabasa, Friends of LA River (webinar)

Introduction

The speaker introduces themselves and their organization, Friends of the LA River. They discuss the importance of environmental action and express excitement about the diversity of attendees from different nations.

• The speaker is honored to present to a diverse group of individuals from all over the world.

• They introduce themselves as Dennis Mabasa, COO of Friends of the LA River.

• The speaker shares some personal background information, including being born in the Philippines and immigrating to the US at a young age.

• They express their passion for environmental education and equity.

Joyful and Intersectional Environmental Education and Community Engagement

The speaker discusses their organization's work with community members and students to promote environmental education. They provide an overview of the Los Angeles River, emphasizing its importance as a climate resiliency tool.

• Friends of the LA River works with community members and students to promote environmental education.

• The Los Angeles River is often known only as a concrete channel but has over eight miles that look like natural habitat.

• Urban rivers like the LA River are critical in helping people recognize that they are part of nature no matter where they live.

• Recognizing that everyday actions are influenced by surroundings can lead to more environmentally friendly decisions.

Introduction to Education Programs

In this section, the speaker introduces the three core parts of their organization's work: education programs, community programs, and volunteer opportunities. They emphasize the importance of equity in their work and how income impacts access to nature.

Equity and Access to Nature

• The speaker discusses how income impacts access to nature, with higher-income earners having more tree canopy in their neighborhoods than lower-income earners.

• This lack of tree canopy in lower-income communities is a problem because it limits access to the benefits of nature, such as clean air and improved mental health.

• The LA River flows through vulnerable communities, making it essential for these communities to have access to urban nature.

Education Programs

In this section, the speaker focuses on their organization's education programs and how they provide life-changing experiences that inspire curiosity about the LA River and environmental action.

Program Examples

• The River Rover is a mobile museum and education center that brings the river to communities who cannot visit it themselves.

• Macroinvertebrate sampling is an activity where students measure water quality based on what's living in the water. Students often find that the water is cleaner than expected.

• The logic model shows how programs lead to immediate outcomes for students after attending them. These outcomes then lead to long-term impacts.

Programs to Demonstrate Positive Perceptions of Nature

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of creating positive perceptions of nature and how it can be achieved through building community, making it fun, and exploring nature together. The goal is to make people feel safe and build an identity as a nature person.

Creating Safe Spaces in Nature

• Programs should aim to create a sense of safety and belonging in nature.

• If people don't feel safe in nature, they will not explore it alone or bring others there.

• Building community, making it fun, and exploring nature together are ways to make people feel safe.

Building an Identity as a Nature Person

• It's important for individuals to have an identity as a "nature person" or someone who goes outside.

• Without this identity, individuals may not go outside or explore nature.

• Safety and belonging are critical components of building this identity.

Understanding Environmental Concepts with a Focus on Climate Literacy

This section focuses on the importance of teaching youth about environmental concepts with a focus on climate literacy knowledge and solutions. The goal is for youth to recognize the solutions that are critical within the climate movement.

Climate Literacy Knowledge

• Youth should leave programs with a deep understanding of environmental concepts with a focus on climate literacy knowledge.

• This includes recognizing the solutions that are critical within the climate movement.

• Youth should know what they can do to address climate change at a local community level.

Recognizing Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Nature

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing the physical and mental health benefits of nature. The goal is for youth to leave programs recognizing that nature is healthy, good for them, and makes them feel calm and relaxed.

Health Benefits of Nature

• Youth should recognize the physical and mental health benefits of nature.

• This includes feeling calm and relaxed in nature.

• Recognizing these benefits will encourage youth to come back to programs and return to nature independently.

Developing Social Emotional Learning Skills

This section focuses on developing social emotional learning skills, including relationship skills and responsible decision making. The goal is to build community through engagement so that youth feel a sense of ownership over their environment.

Building Community Through Engagement

• Programs should aim to build community through engagement.

• This involves developing social emotional learning skills such as relationship building and responsible decision making.

• Building community will help youth feel a sense of ownership over their environment.

Encouraging Environmental and Civic Action

In this section, the speaker emphasizes the importance of encouraging environmental and civic action among youth. The goal is for youth to leave programs with an increased willingness to engage in behavioral change involving environmental action.

Encouraging Behavioral Change

• Youth should leave programs with an increased willingness to engage in behavioral change involving environmental action.

• This includes small actions such as picking up trash or biking to school, as well as larger actions such as voting for nature.

• Programs should guide individuals through these actions.

Developing Professional Skills Related to Green Workforce

This section focuses on developing professional skills related to the green workforce. The goal is to increase diversity within the green workforce and create more mentors within communities.

Increasing Diversity in Green Workforce

• Programs should aim to develop professional skills related to the green workforce.

• This includes increasing diversity within the green workforce, as there are currently less than 20% of individuals who identify as BIPOC working in this field.

• Increasing diversity will create more mentors within communities and exponentially grow the field.

Long-Term Impacts

In this section, the speaker discusses long-term impacts that programs should aim for. The goal is for individuals to have a personal connection to nature or their local green space.

Personal Connection to Nature

• Programs should aim for individuals to have a personal connection to nature or their local green space.

• Place-based education is critical for creating this connection.

• Positive experiences in nature during childhood can motivate a conservation mindset in adults.

Outcomes and Impacts

In this section, the speaker discusses the outcomes and impacts of their work, which includes action-oriented civic engagement, green leadership, and a workforce pipeline for underrepresented youth.

Action-Oriented Civic Engagement

• The organization aims to encourage people to take action against climate change, biodiversity loss, and other threats to the environment.

• They want to provide resources for underrepresented youth to enter pathways towards becoming environmental stewards.

• The organization recognizes that today's youth will be tomorrow's voters and wants them to understand their power in creating change.

Green Leadership

• The organization emphasizes the importance of green leadership in promoting positive environmental outcomes.

Workforce Pipeline

• The organization aims to create a workforce pipeline for underrepresented youth by providing them with necessary resources.

• This program was created as a result of listening sessions with high school students who expressed interest in becoming environmentalists but did not know how.

Pedagogy

In this section, the speaker highlights key components of their teaching philosophy or pedagogy.

Reflective Community Needs

• The speaker emphasizes being reflective of community needs when developing programming.

• This involves hosting listening sessions and informal dialogues with community members.

Safety and Belonging

• Safety and belonging are critical components of the organization's pedagogy.

• Creating an environment where participants feel safe is essential for effective programming.

Joy and Fun

• Joy and fun are important components of the organization's pedagogy.

• The organization aims to make programming fun and exciting for participants by incorporating activities that the community finds enjoyable.

Motivating People to Climate Action

In this section, the speaker discusses how to motivate people to take climate action.

Integrating Hope and Joy

• The speaker emphasizes integrating hope and joy into communication about climate change.

• This is more effective than using fear as a motivator.

Working with Educators and Programs

The speaker discusses the importance of having bilingual educators to serve Spanish-speaking communities. They also highlight the importance of immersive, hands-on learning experiences and multi-generational involvement in their programs.

Bilingual Educators

• 100 educators are bilingual to serve Spanish-speaking communities.

• Majority of students come from Spanish-speaking backgrounds.

Immersive and Hands-On Learning

• Immersive, hands-on learning is more effective than being told something.

• Multi-day touchpoints preferred for programs.

Multi-generational Involvement

• Involving families and siblings creates a lasting impact beyond a single day program.

• Actions at home influence identity and environmental stewardship.

Five Highlighted Programs

The speaker highlights five programs that they offer, including Source to C, Day of Discovery, Online Enrichment, Community Events, and River Rover.

Source to C Program

• Four-part program with two in-classroom lessons, school visit from River Rover mobile museum/education center, and field trip directly to the river.

• Multi-day touchpoints preferred for programs.

Day of Discovery Program

• Single day field trip for LAUSD students to the LA River.

• Includes macro-invertebrate module, water filtration device creation module, and nature hike module.

Online Enrichment Program

• Multi-week experience where students learn about the LA River through mentors online.

• Accessible program started during COVID pandemic.

Community Events

• Monthly habitat restoration events and other community programs.

• Provides additional opportunities for youth to join the community and share their experiences.

River Rover Program

• Mobile museum/education center that travels to different communities.

• Staff reflects the communities they serve.

River Fellowship Program

This section discusses the River Fellowship program, which is a year-long paid Workforce Development program for high school students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM and conservation.

Eligibility Requirements

• Underrepresented background in STEM and conservation as defined by the National Science Foundation.

• Geographic boundaries established to serve communities most impacted by the river and climate change.

• Age requirements: 9th through 11th grade.

• Must attend public Title One school.

• Income level must qualify for free or reduced-price meals.

Program Components

• Professional guest speakers from across the industry, including younger presenters to help youth recognize themselves in these roles.

• River kayaking trip to immerse youth in the LA River.

• Youth certified in NOKI climate change communication, an industry standard for informal climate change communication.

• Potential job connections through certification.

Demographics

• The current demographics of the program are reflective of the demographics of their communities.

• There were 90 applicants for 30 spots, demonstrating a critical need for these programs in underserved communities.

Environmental Education Program

In this section, the speaker discusses an environmental education program that aims to connect youth with nature and their communities. The program includes camping trips, public education, project-based learning groups, showcases for presenting research, and monetary stipends.

Connecting Youth with Nature

• The program takes youth on a three-day camping trip in California's Central Valley to learn about where their water comes from.

• Youth from the communities being served become educators in the program, which helps build confidence and identity.

• High school students teaching elementary school students about watersheds is more effective because they come from the same community.

Project-Based Learning Groups

• Semester-long project groups allow youth to work directly with mentors in fields such as phytomycoromediation (remediation of polluted sites using plants and mushrooms).

• Choice is an integral part of the program so that youth can explore what interests them most. The goal is to have at least five project groups in the future.

Showcasing Research

• A showcase allows youth to present their research to their communities and friends. This builds identity and confidence.

Monetary Stipends

• There is no cost to participate in the programs, but there is a monetary stipend of around $1000 given to each participant.

• Last year, 10,000 people were served by the program in Los Angeles through various education programs and river cleanups.

Word of Mouth is Key

In this section, the speaker discusses the importance of word-of-mouth marketing, especially when it comes to youth audiences.

Importance of Word-of-Mouth Marketing

• Word-of-mouth marketing is the most important factor for reaching youth audiences.

• The success of Fuller's organization was indicated by positive word-of-mouth feedback.

How to Get Involved with Fuller

In this section, the speaker explains how individuals can get involved with Fuller's organization and support their cause.

Ways to Get Involved

• Become a member if you're interested in supporting the organization.

• Celebrate with Fuller at Riverfest in July 2023 if you're in the Southern California area.

• Book a group cleanup event to help clean up the LA River.

• Subscribe to Fuller's newsletter on folar.org to stay updated on education programs and community events.

Conclusion and Q&A

In this section, the speaker concludes their presentation and opens up for any follow-up questions from attendees.

Conclusion and Follow-Up Questions

• The speaker thanks attendees for joining and invites them to email any follow-up questions.