The Environmental and Community Leaders Fellowship empowers young adults from diverse urban backgrounds to create equitable access to outdoor opportunities in their communities.<\/p>\n
Through this program, fellows will:<\/p>\n
\n- Develop self-awareness, civic leadership skills, and a personal connection to nature<\/b>\u00a0during programs in Great Smoky Mountains National Park,<\/li>\n
- Apply their skills to planning and leading community events<\/b>\u00a0in urban green spaces,<\/li>\n
- Explore related careers and opportunities to be change-makers\u00a0<\/b>through mentorship from regional community leaders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Each year 20 rising juniors from Fulton High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, will be selected during a nomination and application process. Until they graduate high school, fellows will participate in personalized programming designed to\u00a0inspire each student to find their connection to nature and become community leaders<\/b>.<\/p>\n
After graduation, the program shifts to encourage students to expand their environmental literacy by\u00a0exploring, investigating and problem solving in the urban environment.<\/b>\u00a0Participants engage in monthly meetings in the urban green spaces of Knoxville, group exploration days within the city, and student-led environmental stewardship and education events for their communities.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>