Project Grant 98T55801

DESCRIPTION:THE ROSE FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT'S NEW VOICES ARE RISING'S YOUTH POWER FOR WATER JUSTICE PROJECT (THE PROJECT) WILL FOCUS ON IDENTIFYING, EXPLORING, AND PRIORITIZING NECESSARY ACTIONS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS BY INCREASING INVOLVEMENT OF YOUTH FROM HISTORICALLY DISENFRANCHISED BAY AREA COMMUNITIES IN PLANNING FOR A MORE EQUITABLE AND SUSTAINABLE WATER FUTURE. THE PROJECT AIMS TO INCREASE THE YOUTH CAPACITY IN OVERBURDENED, UNDER RESOURCED COMMUNITIES LOCATED IN TWO OAKLAND WATERSHEDS OF CRITICAL CONCERN, ARROYO VIEJO CREEK WATERSHED AND OAKLAND ESTUARY. PARTICIPANTS OF THE PROJECT WILL CONDUCT EDUCATION AND ORGANIZING PROJECTS WITH PEERS, FOCUSED ON WATER QUALITY, RESTORATION STRATEGIES, CLIMATE CHANGE STRESSORS AND RELATED ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ISSUES. THE PROJECT WILL CULMINATE IN A YOUTH-DRIVEN COMMUNITY VISION DOCUMENT, HIGHLIGHTING THEIR WATER CONCERNS AND SHOWING CASING THEIR PREFERRED ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION STRATEGIES, WHICH WILL BE SHARED WITH THE WIDER COMMUNITY. THIS AGREEMENT PROVIDES FULL FEDERAL FUNDING IN THE AMOUNT OF $366,713. PRE-AWARD COSTS ARE APPROVED BACK TO 5/1/2023.ACTIVITIES:TO IMPLEMENT THE SAN FRANCISCO ESTUARY PARTNERSHIP COMPREHENSIVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT PLAN (CCMP), THE ROSE FOUNDATION FOR COMMUNITIES AND THE ENVIRONMENT WILL ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES: PLAN AND HOST WATER JUSTICE WEEKS TO EDUCATE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ON THE WATER QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONCERNS AFFECTING THEIR LOCAL WATER SYSTEMS, RECRUIT WATER JUSTICE FELLOWS TO CONDUCT WEEKLY WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND DATA ANALYSIS ON LAKE MERRITT, ORGANIZE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS AND VISIONING SESSIONS TO PLAN FOR A NEW WATER FUTURE THAT ACCOUNTS FOR CLIMATE JUSTICE. SUBRECIPIENT:SUBAWARD ACTIVITIES INCLUDE NEIGHBORHOOD TOURS, PROVISION OF TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, AND SUMMER EXTERNSHIP HOSTING. OUTCOMES:ANTICIPATED DELIVERABLES INCLUDE: A CURRICULUM WITH LESSON PLANS AND PRESENTATIONS FOR THE WATER JUSTICE WEEK SUMMER ACADEMY THAT PROVIDES BASIC WATER, CLIMATE, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE GROUNDING TO YOUTH LEADERS; IDEAL COMMUNITY DRAWINGS FROM VISIONING SESSIONS; WATERSHED INFOGRAPHICS TO SPOTLIGHT COMMUNITY CONCERNS; WATER MONITORING TRAINING TOOLKIT; VISIONING DOCUMENTS AND VIDEOS FROM YOUTH INFORMED COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENTS, SURVEYS, AND INTERVIEWS; AND A COMMUNITY INFORMED DESIGN FOR A MODEL NEIGHBORHOOD WITH GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE AND RESILIENCY FEATURES. EXPECTED LONG TERM OUTCOMES INCLUDE: COMMUNITY RESTORATION THROUGH CAPACITY BUILDING BY EDUCATING AND EQUIPPING LOCAL YOUTH TO PARTICIPATE EXTENSIVELY IN CONVERSATIONS SURROUNDING COMMUNITY WATER CONCERNS AND EFFORTS; WATERSHED IMPROVEMENTS THROUGH TREE PLANTINGS AND RESTORATION ACTIVITIES; WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT THROUGH THE TRAINING OF YOUTH FELLOWS WHO WILL DEVELOP SKILLS IN WATER QUALITY MONITORING AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. THE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF THIS PROJECT ARE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AND LIVING RESOURCES IN ARROYO VIEJO CREEK WATERSHED AND OAKLAND ESTUARY WATERSHEDS OF THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY.