Luis Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Luis Angel Cruz, Senior, GreenSchools! Co-op Green Ambassador Captain and Curriculum Lead - The Green Institute- Furr High School; (Serves 5 schools and a community center) 

The Spark:

This movement started as a prescribed fire, now it has spread as a wildfire throughout all over Houston, TX… we all share a goal…. a mission that keeps us united… a fight that keeps us motivated and ready…to unify, conserve and restore.

We are now in Washington D.C., to speak up and present at the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference and to share our passion and love for the movement…

::::FLASH BACK:::::

Love, Passion, and Heart!

Before all of this happened…we were in Houston, TX… working with elementary, middle and high school students, implementing Project Learning Tree curriculum. None of us…absolutely none of us had the idea of teaching younger students and even students of our age. From being shy to talking to hundreds of people…from not appreciating education…to creating our own curriculum…from close to dropping out of high school…to teaching conservation education to all ages…this is only part of my story. Every single member of our team has a story to share, but like this movement impacted us we wish to leave an impact in the lives of the younger generations to come, the next conservation leaders. It’s our sole mission, we hold each other responsible and accountable to do so. We wish to continue empowering the next generation of Green Ambassadors that will go back to their elementary and middle schools by the time they become seniors in high school and while attending college. A program that is self-sustained by youth.

The mission is to continue spreading the conservation message and keep passing down the knowledge and legacy through the community. The program has been able to provide a small stipend to all Green Ambassadors, this has allowed for us to invest in personal tools and kits in which we may need for fruit tree pruning, purchase of books, certifications in permaculture and organic specialist training. Many families in the East End sustain under $12,000 a year, and with the small stipend provided, it has allowed for us to invest into our education and prepare for our careers.

These contributions have allowed for many of our parents and administrators to see that it is a program to invest your passion and energy. It has given us access to many fields, empowered and prepared us for the green industry in natural resource careers. Just look! We made it to D.C.! J

Transcending the Odds:

Some cultural issues many of us face being first generation Latinos in the United States is that most of our families are unaware of the resources readily available to us. Internships, volunteering and fields in natural resources are seen as fields which may not provide us to a stable career. The backgrounds

of our parents come from a very strong work ethic, are mothers and fathers began providing income for their families under the age of ten. Some jobs include agricultural harvest work in the fields, shining shoes, cleaning houses and offices, construction and other rigorous physical work. Don’t get our parents wrong, they love and support us, but when they see us working physical and rigorously through the movement, they fear for us, they fear will might not be focused and many wish for us to aspire to the “medical doctor” and “lawyer” status.

We have been winning our parents and families hearts through the support of our administrators and partners. U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas –Latino Legacy, Project Learning Tree, GreenSchools! and Universities such as Stephen F. Austin State University, have provided access and mentorship to our community and with their commitment the odds have been transcended.

This Green Ambassador program only started three years ago, over nine years of grassroots efforts and dedication and we are now in Washington D.C. I can’t imagine what the next years would look like… and I’m super excited for the next generation of conservation leaders of the future.  Thank you for all your support! The movement lives! Latino Legacy lives! Food Forest for all! Share in the bounty!             

Victoria Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Victoria Owens, Freshmen, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor, The Green Institute- Furr High School

Hello, my name is Victoria Owens and I am a freshman and Green Ambassador at E. L. Furr High School in Houston, Texas. Our Project Learning Tree Greenschools! Team works as interns with Friends of the Forest and Grasslands in Texas –Latino Legacy. Together with the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation we have been able to gain support and are empowered as students to transform our community from a food desert into a food forest.

I remember starting this year at Furr High school, trying to figure out what I was going to do, because I couldn't just drop out, I needed to be active and involved. But the regular class setting of four walls, artificial lighting and tight rooms were causing anxiety. I had Mr. Elizondo's class for seventh period and he was always telling us about projects, plus he was so passionate and excited about what he was doing. I was looking for something to be involved in, and Mr. Elizondo invited me and many other students into GreenSchools! At the time, I didn't know what the program was, I just knew that my teacher was running it. It keeps me afloat, busy, and active, and I have confidence knowing that I am helping to keep the next generations sustained. The fact that I am a youth educator comes as a surprise to many, and it is only because the program gives us an opportunity to be heard and reach our dreams.

At the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference, we spoke about the work we do in Houston, Texas and our roles in environmental justice. We were ecstatic to have the ability to share our voices, inspire others, and learn about the way professionals fight for the health of every single organism on our planet. It was very exciting to network with intrigued professionals in our nation’s capital. It’s very normal not to “believe” in change, therefore, it was hard for us to believe all of the kind and supportive words from the U.S. Forest Service Executive Leadership Team and from others who came from all parts of the nation and the world to D.C.

These warriors have been fueling a proactive environmental movement for many years, which is why we were elated that they really enjoyed our visits and even joked of not having their “heads on this straight” when they were our age, and therefore looked forward to seeing our work continue. I am thankful to all of the amazing professionals who have listened and care about our battles to win this war together, because when you're part of a team this big, anything's possible.

Emerson Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Emerson Hernandez, Sophomore, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Environmental Communications, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Systems Pathways

 My name is Emerson Hernandez, I am a 10 grader at The Green Institute at Furr High School.  I love to plant trees and help others. GreenSchools! allows for me to give back to my community by giving me the tools, support and connections to organizations such as the  U.S. Forest Service and United States Department of Agriculture and Project Learning Tree.  I am Project Learning Tree Certified, I received the training through the assistance of Project Learning Tree GreenSchools!, and Friends of the Forest and Grasslands in Teaxs – Latino Legacy.

I facilitate Project Learning Tree activities with youth in elementary, middle school, and high school. With a focus of conservation education and gaining observation of what's around you. Through Latino Legacy, I have been able to participate in the Youth in Nature Leadership Challenge summer program. Where we visit universities and camp nearby.  We learn about possible careers that we as youth may proceed after high school. Through the camping trips I have participated, I have opened my eyes to jobs such as Civil Engineering and Agricultural Engineering that I want to study in college. I wish to become a conservation education leader, restore deserts to feed healthy food to all that we can.  Seeing the community I live…malnourish, poor soil, lack of fresh foods, and polluted air, I take action threw GreenSchools!. Working and establishing community gardens and planting trees with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation throughout our community, so we may conserve the land that is there and restore what has been depleted. We have planted pollinator gardens with partners such as the U.S Fish and Wild Life Service.

There are always more solutions then problems, this is why I am always fighting to help others in any way that I can.  We are family in the Houston East End Greenbelt, and were we live, we all want to see changes. We as youth, are making changes little by little...voicing solutions, and planting one tree at a time.

Cinthia Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Cinthia Cantu, Sophomore, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Renewable Energy Pathway, Energy Efficient Pathway

Something that inspired me to be part of the Houston East End Greenbelt movement was the passion of the members to work outside with the land. That inspired me because I come from a family where they worked the agricultural fields harvesting cotton, beans and corn. To me the work was really impressive, the intense physical rigor of the occupation and the numerous hours experienced on the fields.

I was really happy to witness that many students and people were inspired to grow their own food, plant fruit trees and to work outside with fresh air. When I saw people working outside with love, I knew at that moment I was going to take part of the movement. What keeps me active is knowing the benefits that will come such as better air, better health, better eating habits and better knowledge to share with other people.

Most important is that you get to work outside and engage with people and students with different ideas that could become the next big project. One thing that I really like about GreenSchools! is that all of the people you get to know become like family, we think the same way so we create productive choices. Another thing I really like, is that you get to work with little kids that still have the chance to make a habit of enjoying their day outside instead of inside with an electronic device.

I have seen people from planting trees to picking up trash on the beaches of Galveston. Some reasons I keep moving forward with the East End Greenbelt movement is the willing of people wanting to learn more about nature.  In all of the trainings I have been able to participate, I have seen with my own eyes how enthusiastic parents, teachers and principals get when they witness the students interact with nature. Sometimes you just have to step outside and you will observe how easy it is to entertain students with nature, while at the same time connecting their experiences to STEAM and their school academics.

It is important to unify for this cause more than ever because it is good for the earth, our health, ourselves and are family. We know many who suffer with diabetes, high or low blood pressure and other illnesses.The food is the problem and the solution. Planting fruit trees and creating a food forest for both humans and nature is our prime mission. It’s on us to do something about it. The overall message I want to give is that….we the young ones need to take action because it is our future and we should fight for it and without working together, it will not be possible. We have been blessed to have strong supporters such as the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, our school administration and the backing of our school district. 

Through this movement, I was able to gain insight of the career I plan to study, which is Hydrology at Stephen F. Austin State University. I choose this career because I want to help with the water problems we have at Houston and other places in the nation and around the world. I was able to explore Hydrology while I visited Stephen F. Austin State University during our annual summer Youth in Nature Leadership Challenge with the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas –Latino Legacy.  The summer program took us on a week journey to explore careers in natural resources and network with professors and professionals from the industry. At the time, I wasn’t documented. I don’t have full citizenship as of yet, just permission to work in the U.S. I nor my family have access to such programs and I am the first in my family to finish high school and graduate from university. This is one of the main reasons why I enjoy the program, it allows for students like me and others to seek out their passion regardless of their background, it embraces all. Instead of looking at the negativity of my status, it pushed me to keep moving forward. If the movement ends, I would make sure to start a new one because this is a program that should never run out of passion. If the program was able to be sustained by partnerships, it would be great because we really need support from the industry and partners to make this movement happen. If the program expanded, I would be overwhelmed with happiness and you can count on me to help create the leaders of tomorrow.

Jesse Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Jesse Torres, Sophomore, Houston East End GreenbeltGreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Renewable Energy Pathway

I am thankful for all the opportunities, I have received through the Green Ambassador program. It has really changed my life for the better. I was going through a period, in which school was not interesting or capturing my attention. My energy was not being channeled. I would have probably been a high school dropout or in jail, and I am not being dramatic with the statement. Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas –Latino Legacy has given me experiences that I thought I would have never gotten before in my life. When they partnered with The Green Institute at Furr High School, it was a program I didn’t know much about at first, but wanted to engage due to the animals in the STEAM Lab. Now, I am a proctor in the lab and steward of the animals.

I had the luxury to be born in the United States. I remember when I was little, I would love to be around nature. I enjoyed to hear all the birds chirping, to see the blue skies, sit in the rain, and observe the awe of massive tall trees. My mother was the person who influenced me to engage and care for nature. To look at the beauty in life, and all the great things all the plants and animals do for us. I remember I would spend hours on end with her taking care of the garden at our house. I remember the pride I took seeing the things I grew come to life. It made me feel joy.

I started to lose my bond with nature, I started to fall into depression and my life fell apart. I started to get into a lot of pointless violence and needed an outlet to escape. Thanks to this program, I started to gain a connection to nature and heal again. I have to thank this program so much for getting me more involved, for giving me hope and a reason to smile and for giving me a vision and focus. If this program never existed, I would have been in a horrible place. If it were to leave, I would try to follow it to continue to grow with my second family.

What I do, is share all the things I have learned from this program. I pass it down to others, if people were to ask me why they should care for this program… I would tell them because it will help them grow. It will help them learn responsibility and evolve their critical thinking. It will give them light to shine and empower them with important skills for life. What keeps me in this program is the fact that I can be around people with the same goal. I'm around people who want to help the environment, who actually care. People who will give it their all to get their goal and visions to make it into reality.

I wish to major in zoology or fire ecology so I can make a difference with people, the land and animals. I want to help and see this world continue, but in better shape. My university of choice is going to be Stephen. F. Austin State University. I am not going to lie, recently in the past few years, I didn't care at all for my future, not even once, but thanks to this program, I actually do care a lot. It helped me, by allowing me to take personal action and see results. I needed to push myself and this movement has allowed me to grow, so much that now I am a leader. It has given me wisdom to pass down to others. I plan to be proactive and share solutions through the work we do and teach others ways to engage. To make my community more environmentally aware. I will take full advantages of opportunities given to me, I love being a part of this movement, it means so much to me it has become my life.

Gabriela Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Gabriela Bravo, Senior, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and Cheerleader – Austin High School; (Serves Jackson Middle School)

My name is Gabriela Bravo. I’m 17 years old, I currently attend Stephen F. Austin High School as a senior. I am a Cheerleader, a tennis player, and I’m also a GreenSchools! Ambassador. I joined the movement when I was a sophomore, I was inspired by my teachers Mr. Juan Elizondo, Mr. David Salazar and especially Dr. Tamberly Conway from the U.S. Forest Service. I witnessed and felt all the energy they had! They believed in us, they believed that we could take charge and restore our community and to set an example for the youth looking up to us! So I got interested in the program and joined. I kept active in this movement because I think about the future, and how we want our new generation to understand the importance of taking care of our land and the importance of us, as the new generation to stand up and have our voices heard and to help better our environment!

In this movement I have seen numerous teenagers get involved, and give back to our community. The most important thing to me is that we as Green Ambassadors inspire youth and pass on the conservation message to do the right thing which is to reduce, reuse, recycle, rot and restore. With the mission to help our planet, and to also keep this movement spread all over nation and other countries, so we can come together and think of wise decisions as a collective.

The thing I enjoy the most about being a Green Ambassador is being able to teach the youth, to see how excited the kids are of doing things in the garden or just learning how a tree functions, and how to plant a tree. The career field I’m seeking to get into is in the Science field. My plans after graduating from high school is to attend Houston Community College and then transfer to a university and continue studying. During my college years, I will work as a College Green Ambassador. I will be training and working with high school Green Ambassadors, strengthening their communication and teaching skills and getting them ready to be leaders in our community.

With this movement being able to expand throughout country, it will be amazing because we would know how to restore our lands. If we keep being active and grow our own foods, veggies and fruits, the obesity and diabetes rate would decrease. It would also give high school and middle school students opportunities to open their minds, expose them to nature and how we can make a change in our communities, and to also introduce them to career opportunities for the future.

This program helps our voices be heard on what we want and what we don’t want! We want a movement that would be a good outcome for the future where families could just walk through our neighborhood and have a fresh fruit from the trees we planted in the East End. To be proud to walk around our neighborhood and experience a beautiful outdoor environment created by the youth, the future leaders and stewards of our community.

Christofer Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Christofer Martinez, Senior, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Co-op Green Ambassador - The Green Institute- Furr High School; (Serves 5 schools and a community center)

Hello, my name is Christofer Martinez and I’m a green ambassador from The Green Institute at E.L. Furr High School serving for the Friends of The National Forest and Grasslands in Texas (FNFGT) -Latino Legacy to transform Houston Urban food deserts into Food Forests. During my senior year I decided to join the Green movement at my high school, for the reason that all my teammates engaged with the purpose to empower our people and to restore back the environment. This year, was also the first year the program started at my school, and it caught my attention. It has been an inspiration to be part of this great mission in the pursuit of restoring our health and the environment.

What keeps my fire burning is being able to work with diverse groups of people, and finding ways that will benefit their education and health. I want to be able to help all types of groups in order to unify nations and work together as a big family to restore mother earth. Being able to impact the youth and to pass down knowledge that benefits mother earth in order to live the way we were meant to live is one of the reasons why I am passionate about the movement.

Regaining the knowledge that we were taught by our ancestors and to prepare for future generations.Gaining care and compassion for the earth and reconnecting with positive energies. At the same time not only are we connecting back to nature, but connecting with each other. Just like the buffalo almost went extinct our people too will come back numerous, stronger and wiser than before.

Many of us are raised with economic struggle, we are not aware of opportunities nor fortunate to have a good education or the right education needed to survive. Not being able to speak or read English fluently hindered my access to knowledge, it was difficult for me to interact and understand other students. Self-educating myself to read at the age of 15 and staying open minded enormously boosted my social skills. Two years later, I was able to speak English fluently. In fact, “learning how to read will set you free,” like Frederick Douglass said, and indeed it has set my mind free and expanded my imagination. My future career is to study for Forestry, Conservation Education and Geology. I am also have an interest in Biotechnology and Genetics. Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas –Latino Legacy and my school have granted me the advantage to get a glimpse into the field of forestry. After I graduate I will attend Houston Community College for two years to earn my Associates Degree and then I will attend Stephen F. Austin University.

During the first years studying in Houston for my career, I will have the opportunity to train, mentor and work with high school Green Ambassadors in the movement. Being able to see changes such as people working together to restore the soil, fighting climate change, ending world hunger and transforming concrete jungles into food forests really keeps pushing this movement forward.  We “humans” continue to destroy mother earth with every single action we make. Now it is the best time to unite and take action to restore the land we live in and to begin making some real changes. Now is the time to change the way we live and the way we eat because every second that passes by will never exist again. As I write this message, I think of the many lives being lost at this very moment. Now it is the time to unify and end these great issues at hand, because without your support we will not be able to fight this battle; the battle to end suffering.  Together, we can bring environmental justice to all.

Jason Blog #2 Environmental Justice Conference Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge D.C.

Jason Rodriguez, Sixth grade, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador - Jackson Middle School

 My name is Jason Rodriguez, I am a GreenSchools! Green Ambassador at Jackson Middle School in Houston, Texas. I have been in this program for two years, taking action in my community by taking care of it and restoring our land and health. In my school, I started the Green Army that recycles materials, we also compost organic matter to produce nutrients for the fruit trees that we planted at my school with the help of the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and the GreenSchools! Green Ambassadors from Furr High School, Austin High School and the University of Houston.

The GreenSchools! Green Ambassadors have helped me take care of the fruit trees and taught other students how to care for them throughout the year and the seasons. I have also planted a peach tree in my yard to show my neighbors if I can do it, you can do it!  It’s been making me feel like a leader, brainstorming upcoming projects which may surprise students and coming together for a good cause.

I was able to accompany my big brother Emerson camping in Galveston with the Youth Leadership in Nature Challenge program hosted by Latino Legacy, I was canoeing… and I reflected how Native Americans traveled through the lands and the same body of water. I was also able to visit NOAA Fisheries Sea Turtle Galveston Laboratory, I learned about the turtles that have been washing up on beaches because of the pollutants in the water.

In the future, I want to be and organic farmer and a pilot, so I can seed bomb all over the world and then everybody can have trees in their yards with fruits to eat healthy. With our actions, we may reduce climate change and aim to use less fossil fuels and come up with an organic solution. Maybe one day we can stop the melting of the North Pole and save the polar bears.

Jason Rodriguez Blog 1 D.C. Trip! :)

Jason Rodriguez, Sixth grade, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador - Jackson Middle School

It’s an amazing experience to be here in Washington D.C. at the 2015 Environmental Justice Conference and to talk in front of hundreds of people! It’s not easy to talk, but since I spoke from what’s in my heart, I am happy about my speech. I know everything went well, I think they felt what I meant. After I was done talking, I was interviewed by people. Yeah...I am a kid, but I am never too small to make a difference! : ) Then people started  talking to me and asking questions... like how it makes me feel to work in my community. But, I say...it’s what my heart desires, and that I aim to always go forward, not the past but the future. I am

Thankful for the U.S. Forest Service, and the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Latino Legacy and my principal for giving me this opportunity to talk to leaders about what’s going on in the community that I live. To share with other communities that are going through the same struggle. Also to be careful of bad foods we eat and the bad habits we may have by eating unhealthy fast foods. To advocate to pick organic/fresh foods and not the process food from our local stores. You can grow your own food in your backyard and share them with your neighbors. You may also create a business selling organic foods to your neighbors or start community gardens to restore our nation’s health and teach others not to eat empty calories. In the East End, we planted over a hundred fruit trees, we want our community to harvest fruit and to lend a hand and care for the land. We are happy to be able to work as a team and hope you join us! :)

A few Houston East End Greenbelt Green Ambassadors in front of the U.S. Forest Service Building March 2015.

Victoria Owens Blog 1D.C. Trip! :)

Victoria Owens, Freshmen, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor, The Green Institute- Furr High School

At the 2015 Environmental Justice Conference, we spoke about the work we do in Houston, Texas and our roles as advocates in environmental justice. We were ecstatic to have the ability to share our voices, inspire others, and learn about the way professionals fight for the health of every single organism on our planet. It was very exciting to network with and intrigue professionals in our nation’s capital! It is hard to believe all of the kind and supportive words we hear from professionals here. These people have been doing this for 20 or 30 years, and say to us that they never had their “heads on this straight or focused” when they were our age! :)

Washington, D.C. is definitely not for the weak at heart, much less the weak at all. Coming to our nation’s capital from Houston, Texas means losing two underappreciated luxuries: good ol’ southern hospitality and the somewhat slow paced lifestyle. So we have been overwhelming people with smiles, hugs and love! :)

When we walk from our hotel to the subway station, the residents are running and shoving their way through the town to arrive at the bus stop on time. There is such a big rush to get somewhere, and the general rule or “D.C. etiquette” is that you stand on the right side if you aren’t rushing to get somewhere. Otherwise you would probably get hurt by someone who is rushing and wants you out of their way. Exiting the Rosslyn stop to go to our hotel, there is an extremely long escalator (which we’ve learned to run up, as to not waste ten minutes standing while a machine moves us) and by the time you get to the top, your thighs burn as if you just finished a 30-minute workout. After leaving the train, we walk the rest of the way to the building and settle in for the night.

Right now, I am in Washington, D.C., and it is only possible because of the work we put in, along with help from our partners (such as the U.S. Forest Service, Project Learning Tree and Friends of the Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Latino Legacy), our principal (Dr. Bertie Simmons), our HISD school board member (Juliet Stipeche), and our parents who put their trust in Mr. Elizondo and Mr. Salazar, and Dr. Clipson to keep us safe on this trip! Thanks to all of these amazing people, we came from Houston, TX to our nation’s capital, and we are teaching people about the work that we do in our community in order to bring justice to our people and our planet.

Christofer Martinez Blog 1 D.C. Trip! :)

Christofer Martinez, Senior, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Co-op Green Ambassador - The Green Institute- Furr High School; (Serves 5 schools and a community center) 

Since my first encounter with the Houston East End Greenbelt movement my point of perspective has vigorously changed. It’s clear such a program turns children into mature adults. Throughout my experiences with Latino Legacy, I have gained many skills in which I would not have  been able to gain in a common schedule in our educational system. I would have never thought about having the opportunity to come to Washington D.C to be part of the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference and speak about restoring our environment. It’s a positive feeling that many youth leaders are sparking and creating solutions, and adults are in full support! Many professionals we have met through our D.C. journey have opened up future connections and creating partnerships with other passionate students and organizations. It’s nice to know there are more people out there who are willing to support the mission of caring for the land and to restore the environment. Given the opportunity to be part of the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference has been an eye opener, I learned about issues and tragedies in which I was not aware.

Many shared stories of illnesses and struggles, even from being from different states, many of us share similar challenges with climate change and environmental justice. Hearing about these tradies on our earth from personal experiences helps you gain a deep understanding, care and knowledge about these issues and energizes us to create solutions to end them.

Washington D.C. is a beautiful and historical place that activates your curiosity, allowing you to have many options like visiting the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indian and countless D.C. monuments are miraculous to experience. Throughout this journey to D.C. it has been joyful to create and share experiences with friends and teammates!

I humbly thank everyone who supported us and worked hard to give us the opportunity to be part of the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference. Throughout this journey, I have learned and created awesome memories. I will share what I have learned and gained  back home and tell my family and friends. Unity will bring us all into a loving state of  peace and finally bring upon us the solution to end suffering.

Luis Cruz Blog 1 D.C. Trip! :)

Luis Angel Cruz, Senior, GreenSchools! Co-op Green Ambassador Captain and Curriculum Lead - The Green Institute- Furr High School; (Serves 5 schools and a community center)

Hello everybody, my name is Luis Angel Cruz. I was super excited to present in the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference to share my story and passion for conservation education and

awareness. I serve as a Co-Op Green Ambassador which is an initiative in which is connected through the Green Institute at Furr School’s Career and Technical Education program. The ideal goal is to give students industry experience in which they have a passion for through internships and fieldwork. In this case, U.S. Forest Service, Project Learning Tree GreenSchools! and Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Latino Legacy are the primary agencies of support. We are also Project Learning Tree certified and implement PLT and GreenSchools! activities and curriculum.

About a couple of months ago… I came across an article online that caught my attention like nothing has ever done. This article had mentioned a global warning message about the possibility of pollinators going extinct... I was astonished!!! I was just shocked!! That exact day, I went to the library and picked up several books about bees and many other pollinators… and I couldn't believe what I was reading…it never crossed my mind that this wide extinction was happening! :(

I came across more research and I was literally falling in love with what I was reading… these were some of the smallest and hard working engineers of the world… and they were dying...disappearing. 

The Green Ambassadors of the Houston East End Greenbelt decided to be positive and I would like to introduce you to one of the current projects of the Houston East End Greenbelt. “Project Don’t Mess With A Pollinator,” was created to spread the proactive message concerning pollinators. The message buzzes throughout the community through various forms such as; workshops in Spanish and English for parents and for youth by creating activities that are tied down to STEAM. Which stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, the “A” is also interchangeable with Arts and Agriculture! The project’s curriculum allows Green Ambassadors of the Houston East End Greenbelt to implement a strong conservation effort with hands on activities. We introduce all types of pollinator friends suchs as moths, bats, hummingbirds and butterflies.

Not only did we create something that could be used in a classroom, but we were motivated and inspired by students through peer-to-peer teaching and service learning projects.  We have planted a hundred plus fruit trees with the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, and recently established a nature transit pollinator garden with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  We empower the community by presenting pollinator workshops and training, creating “seed bombs,” and teaching others how to create your own nature gardens for the preservation of our busy friends. The goal and mission to is create a pollinator sanctuary throughout the East End of Houston Texas.

It was a wonderful empowering experience to share our story at the 2015 Environmental Justice Conference and share our mission and goal for pollinators! Thanks to these partnerships, the Houston East End Greenbelt has been successful in spreading the message to students, schools and the community. By increasing the support of these agencies and possible collaborators, we hope to expand this effort. We strongly believe with uniting forces we can create change and make a direct impact in our community. Thanks to the Forest Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Fruit Tree Planting Foundation, we are able to have green sustainable spaces which thousands of people and pollinators are able to enjoy and indulge. We have met many leaders who wish to engage and continue the mission! The team is excited and can’t wait for what is to come next!

A few Houston East End Greenbelt Green Ambassadors in front of the U.S. Forest Service Building March 2015.

Emerson Hernandez Blog 1D.C. Trip! :)

Emerson Hernandez, Sophomore, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Environmental Communications, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Systems Pathways

Being here in Washington D.C. I feel humble, grateful and at awe. There are many people which have made this dream a reality. I wish to start off by thanking the U.S. Forest Service, U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, Dr. David Clipson, Executive Director of the Friends of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas -Latino Legacy and Dr. Tamberly Conway, Forest Service Diversity and Inclusion Specialist for giving me and my team countless opportunities such as this one to visit Washington D.C.. Giving me as a “student and youth,” a voice to express the concerns of my community at the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference. I also would like to thank the many leaders and mentors I have met on this journey. I would also like this opportunity to voice that Mr.Elizondo and Mr. Salazar, my teachers, have been big brothers and elders which have helped me connect back to my indigenous roots through the work we continue to do in the East End of Houston, Texas. -Thank ya’ll. Here in D.C. I have met and talked with professionals, professors and leaders and have been introduced to a variety of new careers. I have gained a new understanding of what I may wish to pursue in college. I have been able to gain an abundance of wisdom and learned a lot from other elders of the 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference, this knowledge will follow me throughout life. The empowerment I felt through listening to other youth in the conference, was uplifting, it energized me to keep doing all the things I am doing and more. We do need to conserve, restore, and take care of mother earth through balance. I have seen unity and a body of families come to a peaceful understanding that if we don’t do something now, there will be no earth for future generations to come.

With love, peace, and happiness.

-Emerson Hernandez

Gabby and Cinthia Blog 1

Gabriela Bravo, Senior, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and Cheerleader – Austin High School; (Serves Jackson Middle School) 

Cinthia Cantu, Sophomore, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Renewable Energy Pathway, Energy Efficient Pathway

Our journey started when we got on the plane. It was very nerve wrecking and it was also our first time flying on a plane. It was a pleasant experience, except for the landing! It was the scariest part of the flight! When we arrived to D.C. we were excited, happy, and nervous because we had worked really hard for this experienced! Many of us have also never been out of Texas before. One of the hardest part of being in D.C. is adapting to the new environment and by that we mean speed walking to catch the train and trying to find our way around the city. For example, the second night that we were at D.C., we got lost and were walking around trying to find the metro center to get back to the hotel. Not even Siri was able to help! During the first three days of being in Washington D.C. we attended 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference. We spoke about the program that we participate back in Houston, Texas. We got the chance to converse with very nice, inspiring, and professional people that could help us with our program, and creating a strong network for our future careers. During the weekend we camped at Bull Run National Park. Cinthia and I really enjoyed it because we got the chance to bond with each other, and to also talk to our peers about how we got involved with the Houston East End Greenbelt movement. It also gave us a chance to bond with one another by cooking, and sleeping in the same cabin with the, “girls,” creating a stronger sisterhood. We also enjoyed our time that we had at the forest. We had the opportunity to sit around a campfire and just talked to each other about our vision for the movement to help improve our lifestyle, community and how we want this program to expand. This is just a short reflection of some of our experiences for the first week, but stay tune to hear more about our second week here at Washington D.C.! :)

Jesse Torres 1 post during our D.C. Trip!

Jesse Torres, Sophomore, Houston East End Greenbelt GreenSchools! Green Ambassador and STEAM Lab Proctor - The Green Institute- Furr High School; Renewable Energy Pathway

I am very thankful for the opportunity that I have received. The fact that I could come all the way to Washington D.C. is just mind boggling to me. I honestly would never have thought I would be able to come to D.C. and get this far. This trip is a great experience, I am able grow as an individual and learn many different key skills for being a leader. All the knowledge I have received, heard and learned, makes me excited! I remember when we were planning out the trip and at first I was like, “No I shouldn't go, I will probably mess up terribly.” I was putting myself down, but thanks to my teachers I got the courage to do it. I was thinking the other day, "Wow, imagine if i never forced myself to do this, if I were to just give up when it got hard.” Then I wouldn’t have learned anything and would be still clueless about certain things. I wouldn't be able to grow and learn the importance of responsibility and many other key skills needed to move this movement forward. I am thankful for the chance to attend the three day 2015 National Environmental Justice Conference. It was an honor to be around people who had such powerful words, words that spoke to my soul and encouraged me that what I’m doing matters, and that what I'm doing does help. I met people who were just incredible. Also, I started to grow because I would have never imagined myself in front of a large group of people presenting. I was always a shy person and this is helping me get out of my shell. I had the amazing opportunity to go camping and it was fantastic. Around the bound fire, I learned more from the people around me and saw so much good and honesty in them. I saw what kept them going, it was overwhelming. I also got the chance to see some wildlife up close, I had the chance to see deer and flocks of geese. I had a wonderful time and I still continue. I'm glad I joined this program, it changed my life for the better. It made me stronger and wiser, and the knowledge I gain here, I will pass it down.

A few Houston East End Greenbelt Green Ambassadors in front of the U.S. Forest Service Building March 2015.