The TREES  group (Teens Representing Environmental Excellency and Stewardship) at Lowell High School has recently been awarded an Amplify Youth Voices Grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council for their project proposal entitled “Urban Parks: The Best of Both Worlds.” After the students completed the written application and a video narrative of their plans, the students were one of twelve groups to receive funding. We’re so proud of their leadership and initiative!

This group of dedicated eleventh- and twelfth- graders grew out of the “Environmental Adventures” Compass after-school program at Freshman Academy, because they wanted to be able to continue in our Lowell Leaders in Stewardship program as upper-classmen.

The group drew upon their personal experiences with “Environmental Adventures” to identify a need in their community: they decided that not enough people in Lowell were aware of the urban parks and green spaces that they have been able to explore.

The students planned for and hosted an event in Lucy Larcom Park on Saturday, April 23, 2016, during the city-wide Earth Day celebration—to inform families about a different park in each of Lowell’s neighborhoods.  They also offered environmentally-themed activities for children. The students distributed “passports” to encourage families to visit different parks throughout the city.

TREES Students: Unga Emedi, Edwin Chamba, Rithany Kheam, Sarah Silva, Angeline Castillo, Andy Un, Amanda Chim; not pictured: Brian Holmberg, John Rodriguez, Donald Hou, and Andre Ragel