Our Programs

LEJ trains youth from Bayview Hunters Point to become authorities and activists in environmental health research, education, and advocacy; sustainable foods production, marketing, and nutrition education; and environmental conservation, restoration, and horticulture. Our programs combine education sessions with action-based projects, drawing concrete linkages between human health, the environment, and urban quality of life:

• The Bay Youth for the Environment operate a native plants nursery that is the primary supplier of plantstock to two major restoration projects on San Francisco Bay;
• Interns in the Youth With A Plan environmental health and justice program contribute a strong youth voice to the redevelopment of southeast San Francisco;
• The Good Neighbor youth recruit corner stores to participate in an incentives program increasing their store stock of fresh produce and cutting back on convenience foods and tobacco products.

LEJ also spearheads the restoration and stewardship at Heron’s Head Park (formerly Pier 98). Through the efforts of thousands of community volunteers, we've transformed a brownfield into one of the most vibrant wetlands on the southern bayfront shoreline. Each year we host some 1,200 school-age youth at the park for free site-based environmental education programs that link science curricula to real-life environmental health and justice issues.

Finally, this year we're building the EcoCenter at Heron's Head Park, a 1,500-square-foot environmental education facility that will model alternative energy and wastewater technologies and be San Francisco’s first 100% “off-grid” building. Situated at the foot of the former PG&E Hunters Point Power Plant –– closed in 2006 after years of community advocacy –– the EcoCenter is a success story that will empower youth to act for environmental health and justice. See the press coverage from our Earth Day Groundbreaking Celebration!

Classroom/service learning programs are available in wetlands restoration, native plant propagation, healthy foods, green building, and/or environmental health and justice. If you are a teacher or youth program coordinator interested in hosting a program for your class or group, visit our For Educators page for more information.

LEJ Publications (PDF order form)
Calling Nature Home Environmental Education Curriculum
Education NOT Contamination Environmental Justice Curriculum
Good Neighbor Best Practices Guide
Good Neighbor Healthy Foods Cookbook
Youth Impact: Youth-Led Evaluation of the Organizations that Serve Them