1. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults STAR Recycling and Sustainability Summit October 4, 2011

2. What do we know about teen and young adult behavior? – It’s in the brain Develop back to front – More passionate – Prone to risk-taking – Tough to control impulses – Reasoning not developed until around age 25 – Great website! http://teenbrain.drugfree.org/science/index.html, click on the video http://teenbrain.drugfree.org/science/index.html 2 Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults

3. Why teens? – Untapped audience – Enthusiastic – Relevant – School credit/ requirements – Strengthen “green teams” – Increase participation in school recycling programs – IMPORTANT 3

4. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Funding – School support – Lectures/activities – Results – Future 4

5. Development of IrvingYES – Funding Grants – State funding to the COGs – IrvingYES received $70,121 – EPA Educational Foundations/Not for Profit Municipality – In-kind and budget School District 5 Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults

6. Development of IrvingYES – School support 4 high schools, 1 university, 1 community college Sponsor/Leader Time Student encouragement Incentive Commitment to continue Funding 6

7. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – School support Student commitment – Input – Focus groups for methods of communication – Leadership – Participation – Feedback 7

8. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Lectures/activites Make them interesting Make them interactive Make them current Invite guest speakers – Specialists – Scientists – Experts Try to correspond with teaching lessons 8

9. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Lectures/activities Make them impactful – Internal » School gains – External » Community gains Provide incentives – Gimmes – Takeaways – Rewards/recognition 9

10. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Results Website Expansion of recycling – 4 schools – Irving ISD School Stadium » 10 collection units Student-led presentations On campus community gardens Rainwater harvesting Students teaching peers Schools take ownership of program 10

11. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Results Website – www.irvingyes.com www.irvingyes.com – Current information – Eco-Studies – Resources » Links » Articles – Videos/photos – Online forum 11

12. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Development of IrvingYES – Future Continue educational outreaching – Schedule lectures – North Lake hired consultant – Schools continue to embrace program – Finish projects » Rain barrel install » Herb garden install » Measure recycling » Distribute receivables – Web enhancements 12

13. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults What did I discover? – Many had a good sense of green, but saw it unrealistic – Many had never been to a Farmers Market – Many could taste the difference in bottled water – Best of all…pleasantly surprised how many really wanted to be involved 13

14. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults What can you do? – Do your research and get busy – Find campus staff/faculty champions – Find teen champions 14

15. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults What can you do? – Ask for input and LISTEN – Keep an open mind – Create hands-on activities – Recognize and reward – HAVE FUN! 15

16. Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults Irving’s “greening”: – Lady Bird Johnson Middle School – net zero energy – Irving West Library – net zero energy – 5 miles of LED solar powered street lights – Green Seam Project – Interfaith Stewards Project – Green web – Lots of classes and activities 16

17. Links and Videos – IrvingYES website www.irvingyes.com – http://www.teensturninggreen.org/ http://www.teensturninggreen.org/ – http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/student.htm http://www.epa.gov/greenkit/student.htm 17 Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults

18. City of Irving Fran Witte, Sr. Community Outreach Coord. City of Irving 972-742-2296 fwitte@cityofirving.org Consultant Lori De La Cruz, Consultant lori@bluemarblemedia.net 18 Environmental Accountability – Targeting Teens and Young Adults