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Contact: Public Affairs Office, 307-739-3431
Students participating in Grand Teton National Park's Young Stewards & Leaders (YSL) program will present their year-long capstone project at the Eco-Fair in Jackson, Wyoming on Saturday, May 12 from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. YSL Participants spent the past year researching a disconnection between children and nature and the role of technology in the way youth experience the natural world. The students argue a need for solutions to keep youth engaged in the outdoors and to make national parks relevant to their generation. YSL participants will make their argument and propose some solutions during their Eco-Fair presentation on Saturday. YSL is a pilot program adopted from Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site and Golden Gate National Park Conservancy-a partner of Golden Gate National Recreation Area. This program targets diverse high school students to promote youth empowerment, leadership development, and volunteerism. The program also introduces students to the National Park Service and its conservation and resource stewardship mission. YSL participants are encouraged to develop an understanding of environmental sustainability for public lands and their local communities. Students must give a one-year commitment to the program. Over the course of the year, they attend interactive monthly meetings, volunteer with community organizations, and take part in leadership workshops through Teton Science Schools. Participants also assist in developing a conservation-focused speaker series and project. Graduating high school seniors are then offered an opportunity to attend Grand Teton's annual NPS Academy: a program designed to introduce college students to career opportunities with the National Park Service and other federal agencies. Eco-Fair attendees are encouraged to stop by the Young Stewards & Leaders booth to see what these gifted students have discovered through their research project and year-long involvement in this youth leadership program. Eco-Fair, in its 9th year, is hosted by the Jackson Hole Energy Sustainability Project and provides a fun and educational forum for regional businesses and organizations to showcase sustainability efforts. Eco-Fair takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Powderhorn Park in Jackson, Wyoming. Admission is free but a $5 donation is suggested to help cover event costs. For more information on the Eco-Fair visit http://jacksonecofair.org/. For further information about the Young Stewards & Leaders program, contact Vanessa Torres at 307.739.3657 or email her at vanessa_torres@nps.gov. |
Last updated: February 24, 2015