How our GVP youth are painting a greener Oxnard community.
Oxnard is a city with a strong history of environmental advocacy and passionate community leaders. However there are community members unaware of the local environmental issues or how youth can become more connected to their surroundings. We want to reach those who might not yet be aware showing how to care for Chumash land and spread vital awareness. With nature journals and observation skills the GVP Oxnard Youth Council is using art to document and understand their environment.
GVP Oxnard Youth Council team photo.
Why we focus on native plants?
Our youth council program this year centers around native plants as they are the core foundation to our local ecosystem. We spend time outdoors discovering how our neighborhoods are reliant on native plants. Changing our meeting locations gives us the opportunity to hear from others or each other and learn from those who care for our planet.
Melissa our mentor guiding us on identifying native plants at Ormond beach.
Nature journals: The art of observing
To truly understand how to help our community, we have to look closely at what makes Oxnard thrive. Our youth do this by keeping a detailed nature journal to draw and write about their personal findings. They carefully observe their surroundings, read relevant books and articles, and document everything they discover right into their journals.
GVP members adding to their nature journals.
Taking action and planting for Oxnard’s future
Learning and taking notes is just the first step, hands on experience really puts what the youth learn into action. Our youth teamed up with GVP’s Ojai Youth Council to plant trees together, practicing what they learned and showing that they care for the local Oxnard environment.
GVP members planting a coast live oak tree.
Future Plannings: Mural
The ultimate goal for this year’s program is to paint a community mural using the ideas, drawings, and descriptions gathered inside the youth’s nature journals. Our youth hope that anyone who comes across the mural will learn something new or feel inspired to discover more about its message.This mural will be a gift for the Oxnard community designed and brought to life by the GVP youth.