2011 Youth Summit - Congratulations to Contest Winner Langdon!

Langdon Education Campus students and teacher Lola Odukoya are congratulated by Earth Force's Steve Rood as they are presented their $1000 award for the Caring for Our Watersheds contest

In an energetic and inspiring day at George Washington University's Jack Morton Auditorium, the 2011 Earth Force Youth Summit showcased DC middle school students' ideas for addressing community environmental problems through civic action. Approximately 260 students, teachers, and partners participated in the event. Ten finalists in the Caring for Our Watersheds contest, sponsored by Agrium, presented their project proposals on what they could do to improve their watersheds, and partner organizations led engaging activities fostering environmental awareness, critical thinking, and civic skills.

Students learn about the impact of impervious surfaces with the National Environmental Education Foundation

Langdon Education Campus won first place for their project to create a board game to be used as an educational resource for schools in the community. As a group, students from Lola Odukoya's class at Langdon won $1000. All finalist classrooms won cash prizes and each school submitting proposals also received $250. Also recognized at the Youth Summit was teacher Amy Storlie of Kramer Middle School, who received the Outstanding Stewardship Award for her commitment to environmental service learning.

Prior to the announcement of the winning school entries, executive director Amy Cohen of George Washington University's Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service addressed the students, emphasizing the importance of their continuing community involvement and of their Earth Force service-learning experience. The Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service was the university sponsor for the Youth Summit.

Roots Public Charter School's Motor Oil Recycling Crew (M.O.R.C.) raps for healthier watersheds	Students build buoys with Kevin Schabow of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Contest judges Jim Connolly of Long and Foster Real Estate, Amy Cohen of the Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service, Scott Richardson of the Corporation for National and Community Service, Melanie Kadlic Meren of MKM Strategies, Earth Force president Lisa Bardwell, and Josh Bossard from Crop Production Services

Caring for Our Watersheds - Final Standings

Caring for Our Watersheds is sponsored by Agrium, which awarded nearly $5000 in prizes to schools and students, and is also providing $10,000 to help implement the students’ ideas.

Many thanks to our Youth Summit Sponsors!

And thank you to our many community partners that helped make the Youth Summit such a wonderful event!

Anacostia Watershed Society · Alice Ferguson Foundation

District Department of the Environment · DC Water

George Washington University Office of Sustainability

National Environmental Education Foundation

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · National Park Service

Saturday Environmental Academy · US Geological Survey

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