The conference was a success!

Thank you to all the 6,000 teens and their teachers who came out to the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference! We hope you found the conference fun and educational. Kudos to Jordan Howard, our keynote speaker, the seven workshop panelists, and the volunteer celebrities led by Tyrese Gibson and Rob Dyrdek for the awesome job!

Check back for more photos later. Meanwhile, here are some. Please post your comments on this blog, or find us on Facebook under "Million Trees LA."

Let's all get our green on today. Start Local, Impact Global!

Strike A Pose, Score Some Swag

Want to know how to get a free LA Stormwater t-shirt or tote bag? It’s easy. Just bring your camera and your smile to the LA Stormwater booth at the Environmental Youth Conference and pose with the stormdrain monster for a photo.

Post your photo to the LA Stormwater Facebook Fan Page and tell us one thing you’ve done to protect water quality. Then, we’ll send you a free LA Stormwater t-shirt or tote bag.

We’re looking forward to seeing your smiling faces and hearing about how your keeping LA safe and clean!

Connect with Million Trees LA at the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference

Through the use of AIM/iChat, a free service that offers free video conference calls for up to three users, the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference (EYC) will be able to be seen worldwide. This application will allow participants at the EYC to share their stories and insights with other youth from around the world during the conference. Through the use of video conference calls youth from around the globe will also be able to share their responses and opinions on what they are viewing from the participants at the EYC. The EYC will have a profile on AIM/iChat that will be accessible to schools and individuals on the day of the conference. Youth then will be able to video conference call back to the EYC using their own AIM account after they have listened to the reporting of EYC participants on site. The use of this new technology will allow the EYC to reach and interact with an international audience.

Requirments for AIM/iChat
An internet connection
An AIM screen name or Mac member name
A computer, specifically a Mac with OS X 10.5 Leopard
A microphone
A webcam (optional)



Directions for set up

o To register for an AIM screen name go to www.aol.com. You can get a screen name the first time you start AIM by pressing the "Get a Screen Name" button.

o After you register, AIM sends you an e-mail allowing you to confirm your registration request.

o For Mac OS X users, your .Mac member name (membername@mac.com) is a valid screenname on the AIM network, even if you no longer subscribe to .Mac. iChat to iChat conferences use the AIM network.

o Once you have set up an AIM account, with username and password, add milliontreesla to your buddy list.

o Users will sign into their AIM account, with their username and password, and can start either a video call or chat with MTLA, with the supplied MTLA account name, milliontreesla.

o Users will be able to use the video conference call features to connect with MTLA during the day of the EYC

Young fashion designers to be highlighted at the EYC

Don't forget to swing by the Fashion Lane at the EYC's exhibit area, and meet our young fashion designers that are able to come up with unique fashion styles from recycled materials. Their creativity is a unique way of expressing their commitment to the environment. Here are your green runway maestros from R'Ashion Eco Friendly Designs, a group partially sponsored by Green Ambassador Products.

Genesis Godoy, R’Ashion Team Leader, 17 years of age. She is a senior at Environmental Charter High School. Genesis is a creative, savvy designer. She is also a maestro at finding resources that are eco friendly.

Tiffany Tam, 16 years old and a junior at Environmental Charter High School. Tiffany has been designing since last year and is passionate and creative about all her designs.

Catherine Delima, 16 years old, a junior at Environmental Charter High School. Catherine's hobby is fashion design and she can create a breath taking piece from an old t-shirt.

Tania Gonzalez, 15 years old, a junior at Environmental Charter High School. Tania is an amazing designer who can add her own style to everything she touches.

Simone Schulz, is the individual responsible for helping each of our presenting eco-designers designs come to life. She loves working with her hands, shaping fabrics into custom translations of personality, silhouette and function to a unique clothing canvas.

Hear it from one of you!

One of the best things about the Environmental Youth Conference is that the workshops are conducted by youth presenters. No adult speakers here. Attendees will hear from their peers about green projects that they initiated, and hopefully be inspired to start their own environmental initiatives at home, in school or in their neighborhood.

Meet this year's dynamic youth panel that will highlight projects related to eco-consumption, water conservation, alternative energy and urban forestry:

Lauren Gutierrez is a college student who received TreePeople’s Youth Leadership Award last year for her project about the importance of trees.

Megan Kilroy is 17 years old and a student from Santa Monica High School. She has worked on several eco-projects such as a solar powered boat, water quality and recycling.

Rudy Sanchez is 16 years old and a student from Environmental Charter High School. He has raised public awareness about reducing plastic consumption and using reusable alternatives.

Daniela Martinez is 17 years old and a student from Gabrielino High School. Through her participation in Green Team, she helped organize an environmental festival at her school to raise funds for LifeStraws which buys water purifiers for developing countries.

Raphael Mawrence is 17 years old and a student from Santa Monica High School. He promotes alternative energy like solar power and biking to school.

Victoria Sun is 17 years old and a student from Walnut High School. She helped to build a solar-powered car called the Green Turtle.

Joe Hernandez is 16 years old and from Vaughn International Studies Academy. He worked on a carbon and water footprint project.

Come and hear from all of them on Wednesday, the 4th of November at the LA Convention Center!

Senior at Environmental Charter High is conference keynote speaker

Meet Jordan Howard, a dynamic 17-year-old senior who was first skeptical about the environmental problem and is now one of the most active green teens in Los Angeles.

Jordan is a Green Ambassador Youth Leader who went to Costa Rica with the group and came to understand the truth about the environmental problem and how it is the youth like her that can make the difference. Since then, Jordan started a battery recycling campaign for her community, created a speakers series for a plastic free world, and directed a student-powered film that provides tips on going green. Jordan embodies the change she wishes to see as a powerful and creative leader for her peers and community.

Get to know more about this year's powerful conference keynote speaker at www.jordaninspires.com.

EYC Artist Alley to feature ArtStorm talents

Three talented young artists from the community group Art Storm LA will participate at this year's Environmental Youth Conference Artist Alley. Their art form is called "Masterpiecing" or graffiti art.

Art Storm LA changes taggers into artists by providing canvases, paint and safe and legal locations for young people to pursue their art. The organization keeps helps youth develop their talents, and provides opportunities for expression.

Here are the three artists participating at the EYC:

RAMON ROBLES, Age 20
Ramon, a native of Cypress Park in Northeast Los Angeles, demonstrates a unique leadership ability that translates into his art. An accomplished track and field athlete, Ramon also races past his partners in the skills department. He uses colors, image and lettering, a superior imagination and brings an intellectual and funny, spontaneous quality to his masterpieces.

BRAULIO MENDIVIL, Age 19
Braulio, a native of Cypress Park in Northeast Los Angeles, is a natural talent hidden in the guise of his personality, which could be described as 'the trickster.' He puts as minimum an effort possible in all things, including aerosol art. But his lazy, selfish and stubborn independence are quickly forgiven when his canvas comes to life. With minimal effort, he makes it look so easy, and while his exterior personality may be an untamed practical joker, his inner mind is actually quicker and smarter than a lot of artists.

MICHAEL ANDRADE, Age 18
Michael brings excitement. His ability to let his unprepared first aerosol paint strokes lead him into any direction and the skills to pull it off is amazing. Like an abstract thinker, or someone who has traveled deep into the interior of the self, Michael is determined to push the envelope and keep on painting long after the piece is `finished.' I have seen canvases morph into 2nd or 3rdthemes and structures, and all with an exacting eye. Exactly exact with an exacting excellence.

See more of Ramon, Braulio and Michael's artwork at http://s610.photobucket.com/albums/tt187/ArtStorm/Available%20Office%20Art/.

Meet Joe Bravo

Internationally-recognized artist Joe Bravo, known for his Tortilla Art, is the newest Million Trees LA contributing artist. He explains his innovative use of this unique medium as "...an integral part of the Hispanic Culture and my heritage. For the subject matter of my tortilla paintings, I use imagery that is representative of Latinos, conveying their hopes, art, beliefs and history. As the tortilla has given us life, I give it new life by using it as an art medium."

Joe made this tortilla painting especially for Million Trees LA. It is called "We reap what we sow" and will be on exhibit at the Environmental Youth Conference on November 4. Come and see it for yourself!

"We reap what we sow", Acrylic on Flour Tortilla, 28"x28" framed, 2009

Wanted: Green Documentaries, Video Journals, Podcasts and other multi-media projects

If you are 12-18 years old or know of any teen who has a one-minute (or less) multi-media project about the environment (e.g. documentary, video journal, podcast et al) that can be shown or highlighted at the EYC, please email Dr. Haco Hoang from Million Trees LA at Haco.Hoang@lacity.org by 12noon on September 21, 2009. Please include the following information in your email:

- Complete contact information of youth involved in the project (name/s, age/s, school/organizational affiliation, e-mail address/es and phone number/s)

-Brief description (1-2 paragraphs) of the project and how it addresses environmental issues
- Hard copy sample of the project on a DVD with high quality resolution (preferably 720dpi or higher) that is non-returnable.
- All environmental multi-media projects will be considered. However, this year’s panels will emphasize the issues of:

1) water conservation, 2) alternative energy and 3) sustainable consumption.Sample projects include storm water capture through tree plantings, green technology such as solar and wind power, and eco-friendly clothing.

Applicants whose projects are selected will be notified by September 30^th and must accept or decline by 5pm on October 7^th.

If you have any questions, please email Haco.Hoang@lacity.org or call 213-473-9950. For more information about MTLA, please go to our website at www.milliontreesla.org.

WANTED: Youth Speakers at the Environmental Youth Conference

Are you passionate about your Green ideas and want to talk about it at the EYC? If you are 12 to 18 years old and interested in making a panel presentation before conference attendees from the Los Angeles area as well as other countries, send an e-mail to Lisa.Sarno@lacity.org by September 21 (deadline was extended).
Please include the following information in your email:
• Complete contact information of youth presenter (name, age, school/organizational affiliation, email address, and phone number)
• Brief description (1-2 paragraphs) of the environmental project that you want to present at the conference

A presentation about any environmental project will be considered. However, this year’s panels will emphasize on the following: WATER CONSERVATION, ALTERNATIVE ENERGY, and SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION. Some examples include storm water capture through tree plantings, green technology such as solar and wind power, and eco-friendly clothing.

Applicants who are selected will be notified by September 30th, and must accept or decline by 5pm on October 7th.

If you have any questions, call 213-473-9950 or submit questions to MTLA’s comments section on www.milliontreesla.org

WANTED: TEENS FOR VIDEO PSA

We are seeking youth VOLUNTEERS willing to participate as actors in the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference PSA. If you have what it takes to be on TV, and you want to volunteer your time to a good cause, please consider being a part of this project.

Volunteers must be:
• 12-20 years old
• Outgoing, enthusiastic, cooperative
• Not shy in front of the camera
• Available to tape on a Saturday in August or September

A total of ten youth volunteers with be selected to be part of the culturally diverse cast.

If you are interested, submit two photos and a completed Volunteer PSA Talent Form to bpw.pao@lacity.org by August 21, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. You can also fax to (213) 978-0332, Attention: Michelle.

If you are selected, your parent/guardian will have to signify consent for your participation. Below are the forms. Please print, fill out and send in.

For questions, call (213) 978-0325.

Million Trees LA Urban Forestry Grant

Million Trees LA is pleased to announce a grant competition for schools and their related programs in the City of Los Angeles. Million Trees LA is soliciting grant proposals from schools that have successfully completed and implemented urban forestry projects in their schools, communities or neighborhoods. The purpose of the grant competition is to recognize successful youth-led urban forestry project within the city of Los Angeles. Each successful applicant may receive a grant of up to $1,000 to continue their urban forestry projects, and may be highlighted at the Environmental Youth Conference on November 4, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Eligibility
Private and public schools within the City of Los Angeles are eligible to apply including student clubs or organizations, specific classes, and academic or extracurricular programs in schools. Successful applicants will present or highlight their projects at the Environmental Youth Conference on November 4, 2009 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Other applicants may also be selected to have their projects recognized at the conference.

Criteria for Selection
The selection of successful applicants will be based on two criteria. First, the applicants must have successfully implemented and completed a tree planting project in their schools, community or neighborhood in Los Angeles within the past year. Second, successful applicants must use the entire grant award to complete and implement another tree planting project within 3 to 6 months after receiving the funds.

Proposal and Submission Application
Interested applicants should submit a 5-7 page typewritten proposal that addresses the following components:

1) Cover letter that includes the name of the organization including project leads (names of teachers, student leaders and contact information), and detailed description of its purpose/mission, membership (demographics) and affiliation (school name).

2) Description of completed urban forestry project including number of trees planted, location of project, partnerships with community groups, and impact of project for school, community or neighborhood

3) Projected use of $1,000 grant including how the funds will be used to complete and implement another tree planting project, location of project, name(s) of and contact information for project lead(s), partnerships with community groups, and how the project will directly result in tree plantings.

4) Photographs that clearly identify the location of the completed project and participants.


Completed applications are due no later than 5pm on September 5th and should be emailed to Lisa Sarno, Executive Director of Million Trees LA at Lisa.Sarno@lacity.org. Successful applicants will be notified by September 30th, and must accept or decline by 5pm on October 7th.

EYC 2009 is set for November 4, 2009

Tell all your teachers, friends and neighbors about the 2009 Environmental Youth Conference! This year's conference will be on a Wednesday at the LA Convention Center. Flyers in English and Spanish are below.

True to its theme "Start Local, Impact Global," this year's EYC will not only let participants understand how local efforts translate globally. It will also offer a chance for LA youth to interact with participants from other countries to see how they go green.

For more information, call (213) 473-9950 or visit www.milliontreesla.org.

Boyle Heights gets 54 new trees at East LA Day of Service

Hundreds of volunteers young and old joined Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa today in greening Mission Road in Boyle Heights. All converged at the newly-opened Million Trees LA (MTLA) Tree Center and Environmental Facility at 850 N. Mission Rd. to kick-off the Community Day of Service activities in East LA.

Fifty-four 24-inch box trees, all California-friendly, were planted by volunteers along the industrial area of Mission Road between Cesar Chavez and the 5 Freeway. Residents also picked up bags of free mulch and adopted fruit trees for planting on their private properties.

The MTLA Tree Center and Environmental Facility will be the site of Million Trees LA's environmental workshops, tree adoptions and mulch pick-up for the East LA area. The parcel is also home to an air treatment facility owned and operated by the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Sanitation.

More photos from this event at http://tinyurl.com/muauj7.
To learn about events at this new facility, visit www.milliontreesla.org.

Mark your calendars! NOVEMBER 4, 2009

Save the Date! The 2009 Environmental Youth Conference (EYC) is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4th at the LA Convention Center.

The timing of this year's EYC is critical. We are having it in November so that we can solicit all your input about how to address climate change, and submit it to the Los Angeles delegation who will attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in December. Be heard and truly see how your local efforts translate globally.

Keep checking back for more developments on the EYC!

THE COOLEST, GREENEST YOUTH EVENT

More than 5,000 attendees flocked to the Los Angeles Convention Center on December 13th to be part of the 2008 Environmental Youth Conference. It was a very excited crowd that welcomed Mayor Villaraigosa and a string of green celebrities including Will.I.Am and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas; event hosts Olesya Rulin and David Henrie of the Disney Channel; "High School Musical" superstar Vanessa Hudgens; Tyrese; Alyson Stoner of "Camp Rock"; Bobb'e J. Thompson; and Tyler James Thompson of "Everybody Hates Chris".

The keynote speech was given by 14-year-old Alec Loorz, already an environmental youth leader trained by Al Gore himself to give the "An Inconvenient Truth" presentation. Alec suggested simple things stressed to an engaged crowed that "now is the time" to act on global warming. "Now is the time" for the youth to make a difference. "Now is the time" to address our growing environmental concerns.

Mayor Villaraigosa added, "L.A.s youth know that if we don't act now to help our environment, no one will!"