California

Leadership Public School College Park Receives $5,000 Grant for Green Pioneers Program

The Green Pioneers Community Outreach Project at Leadership Public Schools College Park is feeling a little greener than usual. The program is the recent recipient of a $5,000 grant from State Farm Insurance.

Students in the Oakland-based school program are using their grant funding to conduct initiatives that benefit both their school and community. Leadership Public School College Park (LPSCP), which is part of the Castlemont Community, is working on the Castlemont Community Garden. The garden is a full-scale environmental project complete with raised beds, a chicken coup, and composting systems. The garden is used as an outdoor learning and demonstration space for students.

LPSCP was one of five California high schools to receive $5,000 environmental grants. Winning schools were selected using multiple criteria for their environmentally-focused, student-led projects including hands-on learning and intentional ties to classroom academics.

“We are very grateful to State Farm for helping us fulfill our mission of creating student leaders who reach out to the community to support a greener, healthier and more peaceful East Oakland,” said Sarah Johnson, a high school biology teacher and Green Pioneers program coordinator. LPSCP and Communities for a Better Environment are integral partners in the ongoing success of the Green Pioneers Program.

Students who are part of the Green Pioneers program will learn about urban sustainable agriculture, urban and global food systems, eco-friendly energy source development, composting systems, and landfill and waste diversion techniques. They will also teach younger students about these topics as they learn. They plan to present their work at on April 30 at the Green Pioneers and Communities for a Better Environment “Green is Good for Every Neighborhood” Earth Day Celebration.