Speak for the Trees Hosts First Annual Teen Tree Summit
Speak for the Trees hosted a highly successful Teen Tree Summit on Saturday, June 10th. This event celebrated and highlighted the environmental work of several youth groups in Boston that introduce participants to work and educational opportunities in the green sector.
The organization of this co-created event was led by Speak for the Trees’ Education Coordinator, Joshua Reed, and two youth from Speak for the Trees’ school year Teen Urban Tree Corps (TUTC) program. Five local youth groups were invited to help create and facilitate the event – BOLD Teens, Eastie Farm, Roxbury Environmental Empowerment Project (REEP), The Food Project, and Mass Audubon’s Youth Climate Leadership Program. Each of the six youth groups gave a brief presentation about their group, conducted a short workshop, and hosted an information table. Through these three components, the youth shared the impactful work they have been doing with their respective organizations. Their enthusiasm and engagement shone throughout the day.
Summit participants also had the opportunity to hear Jessie Scott from the USDA Forest Service speak about careers with the Forest Service and Lokita Jackson from Save Crane Ledge Woods Coalition speak about the importance of community advocacy. Additional information and opportunities for conversation were provided at information tables hosted by Boston University Sustainability, City Sprouts, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, and the USDA Forest Service.
The participants left the summit energized to continue their efforts and with greater knowledge about like-minded groups in Boston. Witnessing the youth share the impact of their work through each of the activities left all attendees feeling inspired about the future of climate justice initiatives. It was impossible to leave the event not feeling inspired by these wonderful, dedicated young people.
Speak for the Trees is grateful to the USDA Forest Service its support of the summit and to the Arnold Arboretum for graciously providing space at its Weld Hill Research Building.