In 2021, CFROG was awarded our second grant from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for our My People, My Air community air monitoring project. Since then, this project has blossomed to include a robust network of six air quality monitors across the county, a thriving green workforce development program, and a resilient youth program engaging and educating young people across Ventura County about climate change and equipping them with tools for civic engagement: the Environmental Voices Academy.
EVA students and CFROG staff celebrate the passing of climate resolutions at Oxnard Union High School District (2024).
Before the Environmental Voices Academy (EVA), CFROG’s youth programming began with the receipt of our first CARB grant in 2017. At that time, CFROG staff and partners were engaging with local youth from middle and high schools through the Kids Making Sense program which brings expanded and engaging science curriculum to 6-12th grade students. Building on the traditional science curriculum offered in schools, students were taught about climate change, air pollution, and learned how to operate and take measurements with handheld air quality monitors. This program provided increased access to information and hands-on experience that students were otherwise not receiving in a typical classroom setting.
When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Ventura County, shelter-in-place orders were issued, schools moved to a remote format, and the whole world was forced to adapt to virtual learning and working environments. The once highly impactful and hands-on Kids Making Sense program was no longer possible in a world rocked by a global pandemic. During an increasingly uncertain and isolating time, CFROG knew that we had to adapt in order to keep youth across the county involved in climate justice and engaged with their peers. It was at this time that CFROG’s Environmental Voices Academy was born.
EVA students and mentors participating in a remote learning session (2021).
EVA began as an application based program for high school juniors and seniors interested in learning more about climate change and environmental justice. Over the course of 13 weeks, students dove deep into climate justice curriculum taught by CFROG staff and partners, and designed and executed advocacy projects while applying what they learned from class curriculum. Students were paired with environmental activist mentors from all walks of life, including air quality scientists, CFROG board members, therapists, attorneys, and elected officials, aimed at bridging the gap between generations fighting for climate justice. Upon graduation from EVA, students were equipped with a robust and intergenerational network of environmental activists to engage with and learn from, an actionable advocacy plan to address an environmental issue in their community, a deep understanding of climate science and justice principles, and clear pathways for civic engagement.
EVA students and mentors, CFROG staff, and local elected officials together at graduation (2021).
CFROG maintains a commitment to fostering a youth program that is not only for youth but by youth. In this spirit, we have always prioritized feedback from EVA students and worked to incorporate that feedback into our programming. As life slowly shifted off of Zoom and returned to in-person activities in the post-pandemic world, it became clear that our students were hungry for more opportunities to apply the skills they learned from EVA in the real world. We also learned that our students were wanting to engage with EVA beyond graduation and pursue their advocacy campaigns in the long term with continued support from CFROG staff. In 2023, it was evident: EVA once again needed to adapt to better serve the students we work with and their needs.
In the fall of 2023, EVA was born anew. Today, EVA students still benefit from curriculum on climate justice, civic engagement, and pursue advocacy campaigns. There is an increased emphasis on the application of the curriculum knowledge and tools to real-life local climate issues, empowering these young people to create change in their communities. Now supported by the guidance of paid Student Fellows, who take on a leadership role dedicating additional time to EVA activities and helping guide the program and teach curriculum, EVA is becoming more youth-led each year.
Fast forward to today, we’ve had over 40 students involved in the program, with many of which have gone on to pursue degrees and careers in climate action and environmental advocacy. In the last year alone, our EVA students have gained experiences, skills, and knowledge in understanding and communicating the complex issue of climate change, identifying climate misinformation, being civically engaged, and so much more. But rather than explaining all of their accomplishments, we can let their success speak for itself…
2021: Throughout 2021, EVA students conducted research on the gas compressor station situated in the heart of The Avenue in West Ventura. Upon discovering SoCalGas’ plans to expand the compressor station, EVA students organized with the community and advocated for an Environmental Impact Report (EIR) to address soil contamination from the site and the environmental and public health implications of expanding. After a few months, the County agreed to conduct another EIR and put the expansion plans on hold. As of today, we’re still waiting on results from this EIR and continue to fight the expansion of this toxic oil and gas infrastructure with the Westside Clean Air Coalition – but none of this could’ve happened without our EVA student’s work on this issue.
April – June 2021: In 2021, four EVA students from across Ventura County came together to tackle the excess plastic consumption of their school district. With the guidance of Suzanne Lugotoff, the four students made it their mission to inform the nutrition directors from Oxnard Unified High School District, Ventura Unified High School District, and Fillmore Unified High School District of the importance of reducing plastic consumption and the harmful effects of single-use plastics. Students found that schools are not doing enough to educate about the dangers of plastic pollution, some even stating that “it[plastic pollution] is not a priority to them[schools].” Upon this conclusion, many school district directors stated that they’d begin looking into plastic alternatives and appreciate EVA student’s work on the issue.
2021-Present: Since 2021, CFROG’s EVA students have been participating in a water quality and microplastics lab at California State University Channel Islands. Led by Dr. Sean Anderson, students have the opportunity to bring in their own water samples and test for microplastics using a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to determine the make-up and source of the microplastics. It is one of our favorite events!
EVA students and CFROG staff participating in a water quality lab at California State University Channel Islands (2024).
2022: In spring 2022, EVA students created and published a “Conversations in Climate” podcast that covered issues and hot topics in the environmental field, provided news specific to Ventura County and awareness to the environmental community, and introduced content for new learners. The students discussed topics such as the correlation between racial injustices and environmental issues, the correlation of health issues and radioactive activity, and the establishment of new and threatening facilities. Listen to their podcast here!
2022: Over the summer of 2022, EVA students conducted a research project to determine recommendations for equitable electric vehicle implementation in Ventura County. To compile their list of recommendations, the students researched various materials pertinent to EVs in Ventura County, such as climate action plans, EV blueprint plans, and interviews. They concluded, “We are optimistic about the future of EVs in the region: Ventura County has shown its capability to join and transform the renewable transportation market… It’s vital to ensure that all forms of renewable transportation and related knowledge are accessible to the community; Ventura County’s demographics must be at the forefront of any and all discussions. EVs are no longer a luxury item but a public necessity” (p. 11). Read their report here.
2022-2023: Over the months of 2022-2023, CFROG and CSUCI partnered to conduct research on the effectiveness of our EVA program. Utilizing his expertise in environmental communication and environmental campaigns, Dr. José Castro-Sotomayor aimed to measure the impact and effectiveness of EVA as a climate literacy program. Dr. Castro-Sotomayor collaborated with EVA students along with CSUCI students, and found that EVA has contributed to an increase in environmental engagement and activism by cultivating a passion and motivation to become involved in intergenerational climate advocacy. The research also found that EVA has long-lasting effects within the topics of cross organization & community collaboration, self empowerment, and mental health & climate activism.
EVA feedback research findings from CSUCI professor, Jose Castro Sot0mayor (2023).
2023: In the spring of 2023, EVA students created and implemented a “Right-of-Way” advocacy plan. After discovering that US transportation accounts for 27% of greenhouse gas emissions, the students used a strategy chart to come up with a plan to increase Ventura County’s utilization of active transportation. Their overall goal was to decrease pollution from the transportation sector and therefore increase public health and safety. Their campaign strategy included: giving public comments, writing letters to the editor, becoming able to identify and debunk climate misinformation, and getting involved in direct, collective actions.
EVA students present their active transportation advocacy project at graduation (2023).
January 2024: In the beginning of 2024, our EVA students drafted and brought forward a resolution to the Oxnard Union High School District that calls on Governor Newsom and a complete oil & gas phase-out in California. For many students, this was their first experience with writing a resolution, having meetings with elected bodies, and giving public comments. For many – regardless of age and experience – it can be intimidating to engage in the public decision-making process and advocate for an issue that some may not agree with or understand. That being said, our students embraced this activism with bravery, excitement, and a desire to enact positive change in our communities and environment. OUHSD was just the beginning, EVA plans to push for this resolution to land on the desk of Governor Newsom.
EVA students preparing to testify at the Oxnard Union High School District’s Board of Trustees meeting (2024).
April 2024: EVA students met and spoke with California Attorney General Rob Bonta at a youth community conversations roundtable. Four youth leaders represented CFROG and their generation by discussing their concerns of the climate crisis and proposed solutions for climate justice and the end of fossil fuels in California. Attorney General Bonta encouraged more advocacy for progressive legislation and administrative action, and commended CFROG youth for their thoughtful questions and well-preparedness.
EVA students and CFROG staff with California Attorney General, Rob Bonta (2024).
May 2024: Just last month, after hearing from EVA students, the Oxnard City Council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution calling for the end of oil drilling in California. From drafting the resolution, to having meetings with city council members and giving public comments, our EVA students have not only taken an active part in making the necessary changes to protect our communities and environment, but have also demonstrated the power of youth and collective action.
EVA students, partners from CAUSE, CFROG staff, and Oxnard City Council members Valenzuela and Teran celebrate the passing of their resolution (2024).
We are consistently inspired by the work that our EVA students do and their desire to make change. EVA leads to climate activism by providing participants with a baseline knowledge of environmental issues and tools for civic engagement, alongside real-world opportunities to engage in environmental activism and advocacy. Many EVA students leave the program with a clear vision for career pathways in the environmental sector, a robust and intergenerational network of environmental activists to engage with and learn from, and some have even gone on to teach classes about environmental issues and activism to other young people. EVA specifically fosters activism centered around systemic changes, especially relating to environmental justice. Above all, the Environmental Voices Academy aims to inspire and empower youth to create the future they envision; the future they deserve.
