20210210-002b: Youth Forestry Council 2020 Year in Review — original pdf

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EXCEPTS FROM THE YEAR END SURVEY “Seeing myself improve in certain skills gave me more confidence in speaking up.” “I feel much more equipped to eventually enter the workforce. I feel much more connected to the urban forest and feel much more equipped to discuss it.” “I 100% improved my professional skills, including project management. I have already implemented this in some areas outside of YFC.” 100% OF YFC MEMBERS AGREED OR STRONGLY AGREED WITH THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS: Through this internship, I learned new information about careers in the outdoors, nature, and the environment. I have spoken to others in my community (family, friends, neighbors, schoolmates, etc.) about the things I'm learning. Since starting the internship, I feel more equipped to take actions to support the urban forest in my community. COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS Each YFC member was responsible for planning a Community Action Project (CAP). CAPs were grounded in equity and community engagement and offered a chance for YFC members to share learnings with their own community. Despite the limitations presented by COVID- 19, 2020 YFC members designed and implemented impressive projects that deepened the Urban Forest Program’s connection to Austinites. “[The] most impactful part was having a chance to create my own community action project. I feel proud and thankful for letting me have the opportunity to use my own ideas for this project.” READ MORE ABOUT 2020 COMMUNITY ACTION PROJECTS. 2020 Y E A R I N R E V I E W Youth Forest Council (YFC) is a yearlong internship for young people in Austin. 2020 was the pilot year of the program. Over the course of the year, 12 interns joined the Urban Forest Program as temporary part-time staff. Each intern worked independently and with staff and partners on projects aligned to the Urban Forest Program’s mission of “Enhancing Austin’s quality of life by fostering a healthy urban forest for all.” The program is aligned to multiple strategies within Strategic Direction 2023: ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND AFFORDABILITY HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT GOVERNMENT THAT WORKS FOR ALL