EARTHTEAM

WASTE ACTION PROGRAMTHE WASTE ACTION PROGRAM (WAP) INCLUDES YEARLONG INTERNSHIPS AT SEVERAL SCHOOLS, INSPIRING STUDENTS TO EXPAND THEIR THINKING ABOUT TRASH, LANDFILLS, AND THE IDEA OF A DISPOSABLE CULTURE. ADDITIONALLY, IT ENHANCES THEIR CAPACITY TO EFFECT CHANGE AND REDUCE THEIR CAMPUSES' WASTE STREAMS AND THEIR IMPACT ON HEALTHY WATERSHEDS. STUDENTS INVESTIGATE THEIR WASTE-MAKING PATTERNS IN SCHOOL AS WELL AS LITTERING BEHAVIORS IN PUBLIC SPACES USING COMPUTER TABLETS AND A NEW MAPPING APPLICATION TRADE. IN 2024-25, WE CONDUCTED NEW OVTA WASTE AUDITS IN 4 HIGH SCHOOLS IN 2 COUNTIES, ALAMEDA AND CONTRA COSTA, WORKING WITH 5,000 STUDENTS. THE PROGRAM EMPLOYED 50 PAID AFTER-SCHOOL INTERNS.RESTORATION ACTION PROGRAMTHE RESTORATION ACTION PROGRAM (RAP) INCLUDES YEAR-LONG AFTER-SCHOOL INTERNSHIPS AT SEVERAL PUBLIC HIGH SCHOOLS. STUDENTS ENGAGE IN A VARIETY OF HANDS-ON RESTORATION ACTIVITIES, FROM WORKING WITH LOCAL PROFESSIONAL SITE PARTNERS TO DESIGNING THEIR RESTORATION PROJECTS ON CAMPUS. THESE INTERNSHIPS OFFER STEWARDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH, FEATURING WATERSHED EDUCATION AND RESTORATION, AND MARINE DEBRIS EDUCATION AND REDUCTION. 50 PARTICIPATING INTERNS MET WEEKLY AFTER SCHOOL FOR 32 WEEKS, TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR LOCAL WATERSHED AND WORK OUT IN THE FIELD ONCE A MONTH. THEY ALSO CONDUCTED PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AT SEVERAL CITY COUNCILS, SUCH AS SAN PABLO AND PINOLE.CLIMATE ACTION PROGRAMTHE CLIMATE ACTION PROGRAM (CAP) HELPS STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT ISSUES RELATED TO CLIMATE AND TAKE ACTION TO BETTER THEIR ENVIRONMENTS. PROJECTS INCLUDED CLIC, THE CLIMATE LITERACY COMMITTEES. STUDENTS DEVELOPED CLIMATE ACTION PLANS FOR THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICTS, CALCULATED THE CARBON FOOTPRINT FOR SEVERAL SCHOOLS, AND RECOMMENDED MEASURES TO REDUCE EMISSIONS CAUSED BY VEHICLES, INCLUDING ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION TO/FROM SCHOOL.LEAFWE HELD OUR 1-DAY LEAF 2025 CONFERENCE IN MAY 2025, AT LAKE CHABOT CAMPGROUND. WITH 107 STUDENTS ATTENDING, THEY RECEIVED THEIR PROGRAM DIPLOMAS AND STIPEND CHECKS, SHARED BEST PRACTICES AND SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS, AND INTERACTED WITH STUDENTS FROM OTHER SCHOOLS. WE ALSO ORGANIZED THE ASPHALT BREAK'25 SERIES, AND GROUPS OF LOW-INCOME STUDENTS HAD A CHANCE TO GO CAMPING OVERNIGHT AND HIKE IN LOCAL, STATE, AND REGIONAL PARKS.