Sharnell’s project focused on creating connections between BIPOC folks and public green spaces.
For the Leadership Academy capstone project, Sharnell created a two part project in order to connect BIPOC folks from Long Beach/Lakewood to the West San Gabriel River trail. The goal of the project was to create greater knowledge and understanding of access to nature in order to improve environmental confidence that encourages community members from under-resourced communities to demand change in their own neighborhoods for climate quality and access to natural spaces.
Community members gathered at the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail where Sharnell and our Leadership Academy Cohort 18 graduate, Paloma, led a leisurely stroll. Paloma talked about California Native plants, their summer dormancy, relationships between California native bees, how forest health affects the river and so much more! Throughout the walk, participants asked questions and learned more about the San Gabriel River and our connection to the San Gabriel Mountains.
Sharnell and Paloma led community members along the West West San Gabriel River Trail.
After the stroll, a local artist led a watercolor painting session and talked about the importance of nature and the arts to help regulate and calm our nervous systems. Many participants painted what they learned during the stroll and also painted native plants and insects like bees.
To further connect community members to natural spaces, Sharnell created the Nature Stroll and Craft zine. The zine discusses why connections to nature are important as well as the L.A County Parks Needs Assessment, California Native Plants, air quality and park inequality, the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, and so much more. Read the zine here.
We are proud of Sharnell for the success of her project! We are also grateful to LA2050 and USDA Forest Health Protection for making these projects possible.
Read more about the rest of the Leadership Academy Cohort 20’s projects.
