ECHS students traveled to Washington, D.C. to “Hike the Hill” in an effort to advocate for environmental education initiatives within urban communities. Andrew N., Ariane B., Jayrlin M. and Paolo J. spoke with and presented in front of numerous policy makers including representatives from both the Department of the Interior and Forest Services and Congresswomen Maxine Waters and Loretta Sanchez.
The students shared stories about their experiences working on the Pacific Crest Trail and urged policy makers to support natural wilderness areas, environmental education, urban youth engagement, jobs in a green economy and outdoor education. Since 2007, groups of ECHS students have taken weekend “service trips” every semester to the Pacific Crest Trail in the Angeles National Forest and San Bernardino Mountains to maintain existing trails and build new trails. Last year alone, ECHS students volunteered 900 hours to the Pacific Crest Trail.
See what Pacific Crest Trail Association has to say here.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, ECHS students received a letter from The Land Trust Alliance in which a representative shared:
“I just wanted to drop you all a note to thank you for your insightful and incredibly effective presentations yesterday. I’ve sat in literally hundreds of government meetings and listened to thousands of people talk about the outdoors and trails and the environment, and your presentations were the best I have ever heard. Your words had a tremendous impact – not just on me, but on everyone in the room. Thank you for taking the time to come to DC and make a difference in the world!”
– Land Trust Alliance
ECS Be Bold!
