It's one thing for a young person to pick up litter alongside an urban creek, but much more for that youth to also learn about the ecology of creeks, the economics of the solid waste stream, and the opportunities for environmental careers.

The exciting connection between grass-roots community organizing, environmental improvement projects, and the education of young people was made by the Neighborhood Environmental Watch component of the UC Berkeley-Oakland Joint Community Development Program.  Faculty and staff from the university's College of Natural Resources and IURD's University-Oakland Metropolitan Forum worked with resident and merchant groups in Oakland's Fruitvale and Golden Gate districts to identify key environmental improvement projects — from tree planting and maintenance to litter prevention and household education about toxics.

Oakland Forum
September 2000 | 11 minutes
Format: VHS