Welcome to the Environmental Youth Conference blog!

The City of Los Angeles believes that today's youth are our biggest allies in our fight against climate change and global warming.

The Environmental Youth Conference engages young Angelenos to play a critical role in not only participating in our greening initiatives, but helping us educate others as well. This conference, the largest of its kind anywhere in the world, is for the youth and by the youth. Our youngsters run it, conduct workshops, publicize it, experience it and enjoy it.

Be part of it today! If you've attended the Environmental Youth Conference in the past, tell us what you think!

For more information, visit www.milliontreesla.org.

Friday, August 28, 2009

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

Friday, August 14, 2009

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.


Tuesday, August 11, 2009

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.