The Climate Science Alliance was recently awarded a grant through the California Coastal Commission WHALE TAIL® Grants Program to create, expand, and implement climate science youth engagement programming for tribal and underserved communities.
Climate change is already impacting tribal communities in a variety of different ways including drought, water availability, and heat events which affect food security, public health, and natural resources with social, cultural, and biological significance. Tribal members and tribal environmental professionals that are working with the Alliance have expressed a need for science-based education and outreach to increase community engagement on these issues. In response, the Alliance partnered with the Pala Band of Mission Indians to launch the Climate Kids tribal youth engagement program in early 2016. Since then the partnership has expanded to include additional tribes from across the South Coast.
Upon invitation, the Climate Science Alliance has brought this youth engagement programming to nine tribal communities in 2018 through earth day events, field trips, school programs, summer programs, and other community events for the whole family. Support from the California Coastal Commission WHALE TAIL® Grants Program is allowing us to expand our tribal program opportunities and get more youth to the coast for field trips.
See all events funded in part through the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program here.