Commending Earth Force.

WHEREAS, Earth Force, an organization dedicated to engaging young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future, celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2023; and

WHEREAS, inspired by the work of a group of elementary school students from Freeport, Maine, the Pew Charitable Trusts founded Earth Force in 1993 with the aim to provide young people with civic experiences that will motivate them to become active citizens in addressing environmental challenges; and

WHEREAS, through the Earth Force process, which combines best practices from environmental education, service-learning, experiential civics education, and youth development, young individuals gain direct experience in addressing environmental and community issues, developing valuable leadership skills along the way; and

WHEREAS, Earth Force’s approach has evolved over the years in collaboration with other environmental organizations–such as Global Rivers Environmental Education Network and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Chesapeake Bay Office–and in 2019 launched its innovative Environmental Action Civics program; and

WHEREAS, with adults guiding young people through the process of investigating environmental problems, identifying issues that affect their lives, and developing and implementing a course of action, Earth Force’s Environmental Action Civics program helps students develop a range of essential skills and most importantly, inspires them to become involved in the environmental decision-making that will impact their futures; and

WHEREAS, building on its success over the past three decades, Earth Force announced its TenFold program in 2021, a five-year strategic plan to expand the organization’s reach from 15,000 to 150,000 students; and

WHEREAS, today, Earth Force has programs in 28 states, with more than 750 educators empowering nearly 50,000 students to become agents of change for the benefit of the environment and the future of the planet; and

WHEREAS, local chapters of Earth Force have collaborated with Caring for our Watersheds, an education program that encourages students to participate in efforts to preserve and improve local watersheds through student-led solutions; and

WHEREAS, members of Earth Force at George Washington Middle School in Alexandria were recently successful in their efforts to address the issue of mold in schools, an accomplishment that will improve the quality of life for thousands of young people in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate of Virginia, That Earth Force hereby be commended on the occasion of the organization’s 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Earth Force as an expression of the Senate of Virginia’s admiration for the organization’s mission and best wishes for its continued success.