At this week’s Lunch and Learn, Kif Scheuer from the California Volunteers, Office of the Governor, introduced the exciting new California Climate Action Corps Fellowship program, which leverages the power of AmeriCorps to advance climate actions that engage community members, cultivate change, and leave a lasting impact. The program connects community organizations with talented and motivated emerging leaders to move the needle on climate change. Fellows serve a 7.5-month term of service and gain valuable career skills and experience.
Los Angeles is one of the five California cities chosen to participate in this groundbreaking pilot program under three main focus areas: urban greening, food waste diversion and rescue, and home gardening. At the Lunch and Learn session, we met four young people working in Los Angeles as City Plants Climate Action Corps fellows. They shared a brief overview of the urban greening projects they are supporting, from recreating a tree nursery in Griffith Park to launching the tree ambassador program. Since the three pillars of the Corps’ program are climate, equity and service, hosting fellows for urban forestry also aligns with all the goals of LA’s Green New Deal. Currently, Climate Corps fellows in Los Angeles County are serving with:
- City of Long Beach
- City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Sanitation
- City Plants
- FoodCycle
- Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles
- Koreatown Youth and Community Center
- Los Angeles Conservation Corps
- Los Angeles County Public Works - Environmental Programs
Grist printed a great article featuring Kim Guo, one of the urban forestry fellows working with City Plants - check it out here.
You can view the full half hour Lunch and Learn session below: