Youth Environmental Leadership Program

The Youth Environmental Leadership Program (YEL) will support more than a hundred at-promise youth of color (ages 16-26) to increase access and connection to nature through:

• Restorative and engaging field trips to various parks and open spaces where experts will enliven participants’ connections to the environment

• Hands-on environmental restoration work experience in in the greater Los Angeles region

• Empowering and training participants to be accomplished environmental leaders, advocates and organizers in their communities

• Personalized career readiness and case management support before, during and after the program to overcome barriers to success

• Compensation of all youth participants during the program

This innovative program is supported by the California Natural Resources Agency’s Youth and Community Access Program. It’s funded through Proposition 64, which is distributing sales tax funds from cannabis sales to uplift communities adversely affected by the War on Drugs. North East Trees and Legacy LA are recipients of the grant, part of a first-ever $14.9 million spending package to expand access to cultural and natural resources for youth in underserved communities throughout the state.

Young people aged 16-26 are invited to apply for this program by visiting Legacy LA and speaking with one of their program staff or Case Management Staff. Youth will be given a breakdown of the time commitment and a staff liaison will support them throughout the process.