Helping tomorrow's sustainability leaders

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Greg Fullem is an attorney in the Portland office of regional law firm Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt, focusing on real estate, timber and forest products transactions, with an emphasis on sustainability. Mr. Fullem can be reached at 503-796-4391 or gfullem@schwabe.com.

Last week, the attorneys at the Portland office of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt had the opportunity to spend time with and learn from 18 middle-school students who aspire to be the next generation of environmental leaders in Portland and beyond.

These bright, articulate students spent the week of August 15 as participants in the Youth Leaders for Sustainability Camp organized by the Portland State University College of Urban and Public Affairs, Oregon State University 4H Extension Service and our firm.

The students represented many diverse backgrounds and applied for enrollment at the YLS Camp after being nominated by school staff, teachers and adult mentors. The nominations recognized each YLS Camp attendee for being a leader in his or her school community and for having a marked interest in the environment and in creating a better world.

In its third year, the YLS Camp is designed to teach middle-school youth sustainability concepts through experiential learning and teamwork and leadership exercises. “Water!” was the theme this year, with the curriculum focused on local and regional water systems, the impact of individuals on local water supply and actions that the campers could take to protect Oregon’s water resources. During field trips and activities, campers explored watersheds, met industry leaders in sustainability and learned about innovative solutions to water challenges.

These activities included:

• Field trips to Mt. Tabor and Bull Run reservoirs, both sources of Portland’s drinking water.
• A field trip to the Portland Farmers Market.
• Kayaking on the Tualatin River.
• A service learning project clearing invasive species from riparian areas.
• A trip to the Oregon Coast where the Portland-area water flows to the Pacific Ocean.

The week-long camp culminated in a closing ceremony at which students presented their "Action Plans for Sustainability" at our Portland offices.

Some of the plans presented by the campers were developed and presented by small groups; others were created and delivered by individual students. The objective of all of them was to create actionable steps that can be taken to create a more sustainable world at the campers’ schools or in their communities. For the attorneys in attendance, the action plan presentations provided evidence of the earnestness and care with which the campers embraced the curriculum and spirit of the 2011 YLS Camp.

Among the creative plans presented, all of which focused on water, were:

• The creation of a poster campaign illustrating where water originates and where it goes, with the underlying message that the universal use of plastic bottles and containers is unnecessary and harmful to water resources. The posters to be created will be displayed at the students’ schools as a constant reminder to other youth, teachers and staff to protect the local valuable water supply system.
• Formation of an after-school "Green Team Club" that will work to reduce waste in school including stopping the use of plastic water bottles and promoting other school-wide eco-solutions.
• Creation of a holiday gift program for local children from challenging backgrounds, whereby the gift bags will contain eco-friendly products and materials about protecting the environment.

When these plans are executed, during the upcoming school year and beyond, the YLS Camp experience will continue well beyond the week of programmed activities. The action plans empower the youth to share their newfound knowledge and inspire their peers and the broader community.

Myself and Janna Aginsky, along with Darius Hartwell, have been intimately involved with organizing and planning the YLS Camp since 2009. We also connected the YLS Camp organizers with various clients of the firm and other local businesses who have gained notoriety for their sustainable business practices.

Local organizations assisting the camp this year were Alder Creek Kayak and Canoe, Hotlips Pizza, Portland Water Bureau, Eco Shuttle, Take Back the Tap, Team Tualatin, TriMet, Whole Foods, Clean Water Services and the Portland Farmers Market. Supporters of past YLS camps include the Port of Portland, Nike and Columbia River Keepers.

For us, the most rewarding and important part of this ongoing project is — without a doubt — getting to know these bright, articulate kids and to witness firsthand their activities and enthusiasm for promoting sustainability in their communities.

Planning is already underway for next year and we look forward to working with all past sponsors and any other local businesses interested in participating in this worthwhile endeavor.

Janna Aginsky contributed to this post, she can be reached at 503-796-2459 or jaginsky@schwabe.com.