GREENSCAPE ‘08
Greenscape’08, sustainability outreach event organized by and for the City of Baltimore’s Youth, was held at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute on October 18, 2008. The event was attended by over 150 young people ages 3 to 24, and volunteers including public and private school students, college students, community leaders, Commission on Sustainability Working Group members and Sustainability Commissioners. This one day event incorporated art, music, education, and fun to generate interest in the subject of sustainability and gave young people a time and a place dedicated to their concerns. Activities were planned that would inspire attendees to think about their environment and then express their ideas through artwork, media production, graffiti walls, and a survey.
Young people recognize that they are the ones who will be the leaders in the future and they want a say now in what that future looks like. They are willing to accept responsibility for their actions and they want to be empowered to teach others through youth ambassador programs and peer to peer groups. The Greenscape’08 slogan, “Learn It, Live It, Speak It” resonated with both young people and volunteers. Young people want to be informed, they want to improve their quality of life, and they want to share with others what they know. These themes reflect the concerns not only of young people but also of the Office of Sustainability. The Office of Sustainability will strive to continue to include youth in the development of the Sustainability Plan and the creation of sustainable policies stemming from the finalized Plan.
For more information about Greenscape’08, please contact Brett Buikema, Project Manager at the Office of Sustainability, at (410) 396-1670.