Youth, Science, Impact, and Action
YCP rafting the Rogue River to Elk Island
This spring, SOLC piloted an exciting new program in collaboration with Unete Center for Farmworker Advocacy and Southern Oregon Climate Action Now. Eighteen Latinx high school youth participated in the program, which introduced them to the science of climate change, the impacts of climate change in our region, and actions that local people and organizations are taking to build resilient communities and landscapes.
Participants visited several sites throughout the Rogue Valley, including SOLC’s Agate Desert Preserve, Whetstone Savanna Preserve, and Rogue River Preserve; the conservation easement at Vesper Meadow on Howard Prairie; and public lands like Acorn Woman Lakes. They went fishing, rafted the Rogue, censused federally-listed flowers, birded in oak woodlands, and even hiked with goats! The program concluded with a picnic where the youth gave presentations about their experiences for their families and friends.
Participants told us that some highlights of the program included “learning to enjoy mini-adventures” and “making friends they didn’t expect to make,” continuing SOLC’s education program tradition of developing both scientific literacy and crucial social-emotional skills in our participants. Thanks to the Oregon Health Authority for fully funding this collaborative project, and to participating staff and volunteers from partner organizations for bringing the vision to life: Klamath Bird Observatory, Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife, Rogue Climate, Vesper Meadow Education Project, and Willow-Witt Ranch.
