Environmental Education and Community Leadership
Verónica Maldonado and Nebaí Soria working with youth in Punta Chueca
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
Development of audiovisual material for use in virtual primary school ecology classes Expansion of biocultural field-based educational outings connecting youth with traditional knowledge and first-hand experience of local ecosystems
Facilitation of a virtual “experience exchange” forum for environmental educators from northwest Mexico
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The realities and needs of the youth and communities we work with changed during the pandemic. The Environmental Education Program (EEP) adapted by developing interactive audio visual materials shared online, by teaching virtual classes with 4th and 6th grade classes, by facilitating outdoor activities with small groups of youth, and by working with community groups to develop environmental education projects. In addition, the Center expanded the “Biocultural Fieldschool” which works with Comcaac mentors to facilitate outings connecting youth with traditional knowledge rooted in place-based experience. The EEP also designed and implemented a virtual forum connecting environmental educators from 7 organizations working in Northwest Mexico to discuss challenges, goals, and future collaborations. Moving forward, we plan to expand community-based environmental education programming.
