EcoRise

"As political parties change and tell us what and how we should teach, I’ve learned that it’s most important to put students first." Veteran educator and EcoRise Board Member Cherice Greene recounts the ways EcoRise has supported her teaching practice, her students, and her community to thrive in our rapidly changing world. Learn how we support teachers to activate the next generation of leaders in her letter ?? https://lnkd.in/g9CDWp7D. Cherice shared her story to help EcoRise launch our annual giving campaign. Consider donating to bring EcoRise programs to more students and teachers in 2025. Donations are being matched $1-for-$1 at www.ecorise.org/donate. Together, #WeRise! #YouthLeadership #CommunityEngagement #Fundraising #MatchingFund #K12Education

The Austin Youth Climate Council explored Indigenous traditions and why cultivating a personal relationship with nature is an important element of being an environmentalist during a transformative day at McKinney Falls State Park! Guest speaker Angela Vela from the Indigenous Cultures Institute shared about eco-wellness, cultivating a healing connection to the land, the importance of Land Acknowledgements and Land Promises, and honoring the 7 directions. She also led the students in traditional Indigenous ceremonial practices that honored all of the elemental properties of nature and ended with water blessing the Council participated in. Students then reflected on the personal strengths that support their success and development as young leaders. They explored the wellness wheel to identify how to have balanced wellness in all areas of their lives and what to do when they feel out of balance. Thank you to the City of Austin Office of Sustainability for supporting the leadership growth of our Council! Together, #WeRise. #EnvironmentalEducation #FutureLeaders #ClimateAction #ProfessionalSkills #SustainableFuture #YouthLeadership #YouthClimateAction

The EcoRise community values justice and access to education. We are a movement that sees the potential in educators to lead and the potential of students to solve challenges that matter most to their communities. Read the letter from Board Chair Dr. Heather Hairston Ed.D to learn more about why we're so grateful to *you* for being a part of our community ?? https://lnkd.in/gKUd2eRz! If you know more folks interested in activating the next generation of climate leaders, invite them to join our movement by making a donation to help EcoRise serve more students and teachers in 2025. Gifts made before the end of the year will be tripled ?? ecorise.org/donate. Together, #WeRise. #Gratitude #ProgramImpact #CommunitySupport #EnvironmentalEducation #ClimateAction #YouthClimateMovement

"Trees are like superheroes. They fight climate change," shared JoEllen Schuleman's students in their Eco-Audit Grant application. Inspired by the fact that one tree can clean 48lb of CO2 out of the air each year, these young changemakers decided to create local impact by protecting the trees in front of PS 199 Jessie Isador Straus. With their $861 Eco-Audit Grant, they will install a tree guard to protect 28 square feet of public space, implement a tree care schedule, and educate the community on the role trees play to mitigate climate change. Congrats, NYC Department of Education! Together, #WeRise. #StudentLed #EnvironmentalStewardship #EnvironmentalLeadership #Biodiversity #ClimateActionNow #ClimateJustice #ClimateChange #ClimateSolutions #ReducingCarbonEmissions #NationalTreeWeek #Trees

A powerful start to climate leadership—Austin's Youth Climate Council came together for their first convening at the Dove Springs Recreation Center! We learned about our fellow Council members and got inspired to lead change from our guest speakers. Mark Coudert of the City of Austin's Office of Resilience, discussed the City of Austin's planning and development of the Resilience HUB network, facilities that support the community before, during, and after a disaster. On behalf of PODER Austin, Celine Rendon brought Austin's Environmental Justice history to life. Looking ahead, the new Council is excited to learn more and work with their communities to foster resilience and justice in Austin. Thank you to the City of Austin Office of Sustainability for supporting youth climate leadership. Together, #WeRise. #EnvironmentalEducation #FutureLeaders #ClimateAction #ProfessionalSkills #SustainableFuture #YouthLeadership #YouthClimateAction #AustinLeaders #CommunityLeaders

The newest cohort of Mayor Ron Nirenberg's Youth Climate Council kicked off their work with a day of insight, inspiration, and connection at Gardopia Gardens! Among the clucking chickens and beautiful gardens, we learned about one another, #EnvironmentalJustice, and the City of San Antonio's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. Our guest speakers, Gardopia founder Stephen Locke, Katie Jaceldo from City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability, and Debra Ponce from Public Citizen, led discussions about the inequities impacting the City of San Antonio and the resources needed to create a more balanced, sustainable future. Thank you to our hosts, the City of San Antonio Office of Sustainability, and the HOLLOMON-PRICE FOUNDATION, for setting this Council up for success! Together, #WeRise. #YouthCouncil #YouthLeadership #ActOnClimate #YouthClimateAction #ClimateEquity #CityPartnership

Teacher Ambassador Kelly Knight and her Katy High School students took direct action and used their voices to protect the Katy ISD Outdoor Learning Center and Tiger Praire ecosystem from being interrupted by a proposed energy center. After speaking at a city council meeting in October, the Council unanimously voted "no" to Ochoa Energy's BESS (Battery Energy Storage System) plan and agreed to review the City's zoning laws. Learn why this is an impactful win for the community ?? https://lnkd.in/gDYfu_dZ! Together, #WeRise. #CommunityAdvocacy #DirectAction #CivicEngagement #StudentAdvocacy #EnvironmentalJustice #CleanEnergy #BESS

Thrilled to be serving on the Austin Youth Climate Equity Council this coming year! I'm excitedly awaiting all the progress that we can make to strengthen the fight against climate change and create equitable communities across our great city!

Texas Friends (and those who love Texas - complicated as we are . . .) With the election behind us we wanted to reach out and ask for your help in supporting the Central Texas Climate Action Fund. While it remains to be seen how the change in administration will affect work on climate change at a national level, the non-profits in our community continue to do the work every day. As we face increasing threats from extreme weather throughout Texas (and across the globe) the work they are doing on climate adaptation and mitigation is essential.?Climate change affects all aspects of our lives and the other issues we care about – whether it be education, health, poverty, etc. The CTX Climate Action Fund is a pilot effort to test whether providing guidance and matching dollars will help move people to action in supporting organizations in our own backyard. As we move into this season of giving – we are asking for your support by doing the following: - Making a donation through the?fund?(Link in the comments) - Sharing the fund with your network - Connecting us to potential corporate sponsors and/or individual donors to expand the pool of matching funds - Continuing to share ideas and connections - Follow (and amplify) us on Linked In We face challenging times ahead with so much uncertainty, but we also know the power of community coming together to address these challenges.?

At EcoRise, we’re equipping K–12 students to become critical thinkers, creative problem solvers, and passionate advocates ready to tackle the urgent challenges of climate change and environmental injustice. These young leaders are shaping a more sustainable, equitable future—and we need your help to support them. Now, through December 15th, your gift can go twice as far! The Central Texas Climate Action Fund is 2x your donation, which would allow us to provide even more resources to activate students and teachers. ?? Every dollar makes a difference. Learn more and share: bit.ly/CTXClimateFund. Together, #WeRise.