May 2024 Issue of The Metro

Students in Tyler Colson’s 6th and 7th grade social studies classes at The Eva Legard Center for Coastal and Environmental Studies are proof that the future is now. While learning to grow fresh foods through aquaponics at the South Baton Rouge school, students are also learning to examine the impact of environmental issues on their communities. Many of the topics explored through their “action projects” also help to build the skills needed for future careers in many of LED’s key industries.

The all-grant funded course grew somewhat organically (pun slightly intended) out of Colson’s lessons on the intersection of the environment and society. Students began noticing the connection between what’s happening in their communities and environmental and economic factors. This led to increased interests in environmental studies and the opportunity to participate in a Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN) pilot program to test and provide feedback on a K12 environmental justice curriculum. Students explore topics such as food deserts, sustainable growing, fossil fuels, and climate.
Colson believes teaching students about the environment and providing hands-on experiences with real-life solutions makes a big difference with students. “Every school should have action projects,” Colson asserts. “People care about things that are affecting them. [When I teach them about what’s affecting them now], I can reach them better that way.” Colson hopes to grow the program to incldue emergency preparedness and food distribution.

A cross-sector collaborative is helping residents in Akron, OH to restore systemically disinvested neighborhoods, including one surrounding the historic Black neighborhood of Summer Lake.

Reimagining the Civic Commons, a national group invested in using public space to cultivate trust and build resilient communities, along with Akron residents have worked for 7 years to redevelop disinvested neighborhoods and reverse residents’ negative views of their city. As a result, economic activity, business ownership, and perceptions of safety have increased, as has public belief in the civic process.

The initial $4M investment from philanthropy has yielded an additional $76M from public-private partnerships an other philanthropic partners. Additionally, local entities have adapted the resident-led approach and the city has seen a resurgence in civic engagement with younger voices in the mix.

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