Hello, hello!
I owe you an update:
1)Here's are two wonderful videos of the Youth Summit in Minneapolis last week.
In the first one, you'll see Abby speaking first (she's incredible!), I'm thrown in there, then there's Ethan, our all-inspiring coordinator.
In the second, a student-made video by my friend Taylor from the leadership team, has actual footage of the Summit and some break out sessions. Hope you enjoy, and please pass it on!
2)I am applying for the Rotary Exchange program. That means, if my interview goes well tomorrow, I will be spending my senior year of high school overseas!
It's both exciting and nerve-racking. I don't want to disconnect myself from the grassroots movement, so I want to take a new perspective: In my exchange, I hope to make connections with other leaders in climate change and youth organization. It’s empowering to solidify this movement globally, and that's what I hope to do.
10.10.10, 350.org's Global Work Party, inspired events all over the world. It's incredible! There are youth organizers everywhere! We're not alone, and they're are photos to prove it!
3) The campaign to build a green roof on the new FHS building is going really well!
The planning team had our first meeting this past Wednesday, and a second is planned for this upcoming Tuesday. Dana Smith, FHS's new Energy Corps representative, is helping facilitate the meetings, and she even got us a field trip scheduled to the roof of the public library!
(The Fayetteville Public Library was the first in Arkansas to be recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). We also have solar panels and a green roof!)
That's all for now. Thank you always for your support!
Best of luck,
Serena
Showing posts with label Green Roof. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Green Roof. Show all posts
20101102
Let's build a roof
Really exciting (if perhaps raw) news:
Fayetteville High School, where I'm currently a junior, has just begun Phase 1 of a 12 year reconstruction plan. By some incredible karmic synergy, I met the new architect, Marlon Blackwell, on Sunday night, and he told me about all of the incredible successes he and his firm have had with our administration. They've already agreed to fund LEED certification, and the district is open to the possibility of installing a green roof on a lower section of the building equivalent to four Wal Marts in size.
My idea, and perhaps in tandem with the action plan I created at the Summit, is to advocate a green roof with both extensive and intensive sections. That means that the majority of the roof will be low-maintenance and only accessed annually for upkeep. In addition to that, however, I think it'd be incredible to install garden beds (raised, container, or whatever is necessary) for educational and nutritional purposes. I'm sure you've an idea of all the amazing benefits this could potentially have on the school and the environment, so I won't try to convert you to the idea.
This has a special meaning to me for a few reasons:
1) It connects my extra-curriculur and school-sponsored environmental activism, which means that I could invest more time and energy into it.
2) It links my passion (food, cooking, the local economy, etc.) to the larger spectrum of climate change.
3) It brings together all the separate connections and partnerships I've made in the community through Summer of Solutions (chefs, FHS's Food Director, non-profits, farmers, community gardens, etc.)
4) The final product would be visible to the community and students, and I would have something to show for my efforts in activism, etc.
To all FHS attendees: I'm going to be presenting these ideas (as well as my experience at the conference last week) to our Green Team. Please come out and support me! Your presence would definitely encourage the team to pursue the idea.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns? Let's build a roof. (Also, look up Lake, the band.)
All the best,
Serena
Fayetteville High School, where I'm currently a junior, has just begun Phase 1 of a 12 year reconstruction plan. By some incredible karmic synergy, I met the new architect, Marlon Blackwell, on Sunday night, and he told me about all of the incredible successes he and his firm have had with our administration. They've already agreed to fund LEED certification, and the district is open to the possibility of installing a green roof on a lower section of the building equivalent to four Wal Marts in size.
My idea, and perhaps in tandem with the action plan I created at the Summit, is to advocate a green roof with both extensive and intensive sections. That means that the majority of the roof will be low-maintenance and only accessed annually for upkeep. In addition to that, however, I think it'd be incredible to install garden beds (raised, container, or whatever is necessary) for educational and nutritional purposes. I'm sure you've an idea of all the amazing benefits this could potentially have on the school and the environment, so I won't try to convert you to the idea.
This has a special meaning to me for a few reasons:
1) It connects my extra-curriculur and school-sponsored environmental activism, which means that I could invest more time and energy into it.
2) It links my passion (food, cooking, the local economy, etc.) to the larger spectrum of climate change.
3) It brings together all the separate connections and partnerships I've made in the community through Summer of Solutions (chefs, FHS's Food Director, non-profits, farmers, community gardens, etc.)
4) The final product would be visible to the community and students, and I would have something to show for my efforts in activism, etc.
To all FHS attendees: I'm going to be presenting these ideas (as well as my experience at the conference last week) to our Green Team. Please come out and support me! Your presence would definitely encourage the team to pursue the idea.
Thoughts? Suggestions? Concerns? Let's build a roof. (Also, look up Lake, the band.)
All the best,
Serena
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