Learn About Forests (03-DG-11244225-149)

This project is an extension of the "Trees Are My Friends" national campaign.

Since April, 2003, Eagle Eye Institute built on interest generated by their successful national "Trees Are My Friends" campaign, which had tree organizations from sixteen cities across the country outreach to communities of color. Through Eagle Eye's Learn About Forests program the organization built community partnerships with eight new Champions (program coordinators) in NewYork, Georgia and Massachusetts, as well as supported three former Champions in various urban communities in Massachusetts. These Champions improved public and private services to over two-hundred and fifty young people from minority and underserved populations, involved over twenty youth organizations and natural resource professionals and explored nine rural forests. Champions and Eagle Eye with the USDA Forest Service provided a learning vehicle for six college students through summer internships to people of color. These interns supported the LAF programs and Champions. The dissemination of Eagle Eye's programmatic tools and know how brought the value of the forest and urban and community forestry, raised environmental awareness and offered new perspectives to young people residing in minority communities. Eagle Eye Institute, with funding support from the NUCFAC, learned and improved its ability to disseminate information and support Champions, while reaching a wider population of youth than it could have on its own.

(a)Develop Eagle Eye's method of support and information dissemination to recruitand support Champions through human support, how-to-guides and evaluations.

(b)To show and support individuals on how to be Champions, incorporate environmentalism into youth development organizations, and transform urban youth

(c) Support 16 Champions to reach out to 900 young people and offer 30 LAF programs and involve youth organizations and natural resource professionals

(a) Youth Build USA and other national and private organizations to recruit Champions and offer programs (six in 2003 and ten in 2004).

(b) Draw upon former contacts made through Eagle Eye's Trees are My Friends Public Service Announcement and keep them informed of progress and invite them to participate as Champions.

(a) Distribute information on Champions through local newspapers and stories on Champions and their programs and develop Web Pages for Champions.

(a) Conduct evaluations from each LAF program, including the post-youth programs and evaluate EEI's program support and effectiveness. Measure the results of the Champion led LAF programs [see the LAF Charts]

Champion organizations in 16 cities across the Country committed to offering two to four Learn About Forests programs each year to multi-cultural youths in their urban area

Photos and video highlighting the program success on Eagle Eye website and put together in a Power-Point demonstration that is available free to interested organizations.

c) Comprehensive report documenting the outcomes discovered in the program evaluations carried out by the Champions with Eagle Eye assistance, including those reported in local press and media about each local LAF program, its Champion, and its participants, especially urban youth.

Attachments

Click here to download this final grant report as a PDF.