On Friday, April 21st, New Roots students are out in force to celebrate Earth Day of Service, and the launch of EarthForce, a new sustainable youth workforce development program funded by Tompkins County.
Every year, New Roots students celebrate Earth Day with community service focusing on ecological restoration. This year’s projects will include invasive species education and cleanup along Six Mile Creek, migratory bird ecosystem research and restoration, maintenance of the New Roots Cayuga Wetlands site at Stewart Park, planting at Esty Garden, urban beautification, and preparing ground for planting at the New Roots “Big Farm” at EcoVillage.
“Earth Day presents a great opportunity for New Roots students and teachers to connect with the wider community and one another as they celebrate the positive impacts of their community service on our local environment,” said David Streib, a founding member of the New Roots faculty.
EarthForce will offer middle and high school students at New Roots and other Tompkins County secondary schools the skills and knowledge needed for our growing green economy through engaging, hands-on activities and community based experiences. The program will launch its first activities this spring and summer.
“New Roots Charter School is so excited to launch EarthForce on this Earth Day of Service, partnering with Tompkins County, the Park Foundation, and our local nonprofits and industries to provide young people with knowledge and skills that will help them to make a good living while making a positive impact on our community and environment,” said Tina Nilsen-Hodges, New Roots founder and principal. “EarthForce will take us another giant leap forward towards our goal that all New Roots graduates will leave our high school with college acceptance and college credits in one hand, and a resume that will land them a meaningful, living wage job offer in the “green” jobs sector in the other.”
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New Roots Charter School is a tuition-free public charter school serving grades 9-12 that is open to any young person who is eligible to attend high school in New York State. Offering a private school education at a public school price, students prepare for lives of passion and purpose as they prepare to create and embrace new 21st century life opportunities through career and college preparation. NewRootsSchool.org
For more information, contact Michael Mazza, Director of Community Engagement at New Roots Charter School, at mmazza@newrootsschool.org.