I-YEL for a Purpose

2012 "Cabin Fever" Snow Trip

2012-01-21T14:25:00.000-08:00

During the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, I-YEL went tovisit Yosemite National Park. For some, it was their first time camping, forothers it was their first time seeing Yosemite as a snow free winter. Over thecourse of the trip, two I-YEL interns coordinated the trip with the help ofstaff. Who are the wonderfully fabulous coordinators for this awesome cabinfever, no-snow-in-Yosemite trip?—2nd year interns, Nathaniel Ng andAnny Ho.

Nathaniel and I started planning in December of 2011,creating goals that would essentially bring the team closer together and havethem learn the importance of why we celebrate MLK day. To engage the rest ofour team in the agenda of our re-named “Cabin Fever” Snow Trip, I-YEL was separatedinto groups and each created an activity where they applied one of our goals.While the rest of the group is vigorously working on their lessons, Nathanieland I were choosing foods for the interns to eat over the trip.

On Friday, January 13, 2012 Anny and I met up with one ofthe chaperones named Sam Tran, and went on shopping spree. Spending three hoursshopping from Costco to Safeway, it felt great to spend $700 dollars on food.Personally, Anny had never shopped for 30 people, 24 of them being hungry teenagers.With the help of Sam and his cooking expertise, we were able to organize and efficientlyshop for three days and two nights worth of fooooooood.

The first morning of the trip, Nathaniel and I led anAWESOME activity to pump the interns and chaperones up. As coordinators, wehave learned that time is an invaluable tool to a successful trip. Then, wespent the next four hours bonding in the vans traveling to Yosemite. While wewere passing by, we noticed that the land was dry, but our reactions were like “OH MY!” You could hear the excitement between vans as we pulled up to the cabin. InAnny’s van, the interns in unison were astounded and couldn’t hold back theirexpression, “OH DANG.” The day continued on with a delicious dinner cooked byall of our chaperones, a team-builder activity, Cabin Scavenger Hunt andconcluding with a Star gazing activity.

At Yosemite, we visited Bass Lake, Mariposa Grove, andYosemite Falls for a kicking experience. We had learned that the cause for thelack of snow was due to a yearlong drought. As the interns rested upon thereturn to the cabin, several others and a few chaperones prepared anotherwonderful dinner before we participated in activities interpreting whatteamwork meant and Martin Luther King’s drive towards peace.

Through watching thediverse activities lead by each intern, cooking together in the kitchen,playing late night games such as Taboo, we slowly saw the development of afamily. Although there were many quirks, we have learned that leading a groupof 30 people over a two nights, three days trip is no walk in the park, but wehad LOTS of fun.

-Anny and Nathaniel

We're ready for Yosemite!

2012-01-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

Today was a big day for the I-YEL community. We took a break from our yel project and decided to have a little fun while being busy. Sounds great doesn’t it?

After fellow intern, Anny, led both the I-YEL and UTB (Urban Trailblazers) team on a check in and introduced a new game to our lives, both groups went to do some restoration work. The location for this work to be done was at the Golden Gate overlook site. A bit of a side note: the Golden Gate Bridge will be turning 75 this spring. In celebration of this fantastic achievement, the Golden Gate Conservancy decided to plant plants so by the time spring comes, the plants (hopefully) would make the scenery of the Golden Gate Bridge that much better. As a group, we all planted over 400 crops. That’s pretty amazing for some middle school and high school kids working together.

After lunch with the Blazers, the I-YEL interns returned to the center to initiate one team member to I-YEL, take the traditional group photo with our purple shirts, and plan our snow trip. We were divided into groups to plan what fun things we’d do during the trip. This would last until the end of the day. It’s safe to say that everyone had fun planning the trip and will have even more fun during the trip. I-YEL is scheduled to go to Yosemite National Park for the snow trip this Saturday and will return Monday afternoon/night.

This trip is an opportunity for us to get closer as a team and by the end of the weekend, that mission will be accomplished.

-D'Quan S.

And this year's YEL PROJECT is..............

2011-12-17T18:21:00.000-08:00

Today the I-YEL team chose a topic for our YEL project, which we will be working on for the rest of the year. In a YEL project, I-YELers focus on a social and environmental problem that we would like to change. It has taken us three weeks to decide our main topic. To get things started we brainstormed as a group on changes that we would like to see in our community. In the end we had twenty seven rough ideas. We combined ideas by similarities, and then divided ourselves into groups to research topics more in depth. After an intense and enthusiastic hour of exploration we presented our topics to the team. The I-YEL team is full of opinionated and passionate youth; it took hours of healthy and heated debate to decide our final topic. We are proud to announce I-YEL’s project for 2012: Understanding the influence of the media on teens.

The purpose of a YEL project is to bring awareness and create change around issues that affect our communities. Understanding the influence of the media is a relevant issue for teens because we are concerned with staying “cool” and we care about what others think of us. “Style” is defined by the radio, T.V, internet, and peer pressure. I-YEL’s goal is show people that they don’t have to conform to the media’s standards. We are looking forward to uncovering more about the topic and helping our peers by spreading the message of self-confidence.

-Rebecca and Helena

Who's Island? OUR ISLAND!

2011-12-10T17:48:00.000-08:00

Today,the I-YEL team paid a visit to one of our nation's most recognized landmarks, Alcatraz Island. We had the privilege of experiencing the park through a personalized tour by Ranger Benny Batom. A few of the I-YEL interns have never been on the island, so for some of us it was an introduction to a piece of San Francisco's history. Throughout the tour we gained knowledge about the layers of history that have made Alcatraz such an iconic landmark. One of the first things we noticed when the got off the ferry was a sign that read, "Indians Welcome"; Ranger Benny told us the story of the Indian Occupation that started in the late 60's on the island. Part of the purpose of our Alcatraz visit was to learn how Park Rangers interpret stories to be relevant to visitors. The story of the Indian occupation movement spoke to me as a young leader and activist because it reminded me of the Occupy movement that is happening today. I see that type of activism as a tool used by marginalized people to bring mainstream awareness to justice issues. The events on Alcatraz reminded me of the Occupy Wall Street movement because of the similarities in their purposes. I learned that the Indians that protested on Alcatraz wanted to send a message about the poor living conditions on reservations; just like modern Occupiers are trying to bring awareness to the inequities between Americans today.

Parks are important because they hold the nation's history. Just like Alcatraz holds different layers of history, so do places like Crissy Field. The preservation of these areas helps us understand where we came from, and where we're going.
-Sintia.

VLOG #1 - 2011-2012

2011-12-06T13:12:00.000-08:00

Check out our first quarterly VLOG!

I-YEL vlog #1 2011-2012 from Crissy Field Center on Vimeo.

How We Are Remembered Through Art - November 12, 2011

2011-11-19T15:35:00.000-08:00

How do you want to be remembered? In I-YEL many teens from different backgrounds came together to answer this question. For a couple of weeks we discovered how to be remembered by art and history. With the combination of the two topics I-YEL created a powerful self-portrait to show our skills, hopes, fears, and accomplishments.

To get our creative side flowing we started to work with the talented art coordinator Marijanna Shurtz. Marijanna directed us on a conversation about what a self-portrait is. She gave us an activity about the topic for a fun check in. For our check in we looked at other artist artwork and the message that they portrayed. The open discussion was a helpful key to guide us on what message we wanted to show everyone else about ourselves. That night we molded clay into a simple symbol that described us, then placed it on a hand drawn trail to show everyone the difference in our community in I-YEL, yet we still come together to share our lives and work as one unity.

The following Saturday after our first art introduction we separated into two groups and went on field trips around the Presidio. The groups brought different creative/controversial topics that all tied together about self-portraits. Jie Chen our mentor, and Marijanna the art coordinator, lead the two groups on the eventful day that was ahead of us. Jie’s group first went to Immigration point and then to US national cemetery. The first destination was an eye opening experience on how immigration is looked down upon; also we talked about the struggles and hardships of it too. We explored why people come to America and the benefits that they do receive once they become a citizen. Together as a group we read immigration stories and decided that immigration point was a place where all people can join together and experience the beautiful nature and serenity of the park. The second destination was the cemetery. There we talked about why war is important and how it’s hurtful. As we were discussing our thoughts as a group it was powerful to look at all 30,000 graves and all of the lives that were taken due to war. The other group went to their first destination at Inspiration point and their second destination at Lovers Lane. At Inspiration point Marijanna’s group looked at an art piece called Spire which combined art and nature together as one. At Lovers Lane they observed another art piece that are logs laid down into zig zag lines. Both pieces represented that art and nature go hand and hand and they flow together as a unity. After the two groups experienced their own personal field trip we went back to the center to reflect. Marijanna then lead us in a more advanced self-portrait art piece that answered the question how would we want to be remembered. For an hour we spilled our hearts out onto paper and shared what our memorial would be to represent our selves. It was inspiring to see everyone’s way of expressing themselves as powerful message. Some people wanted to spread their ideas as creating a center, expressing a quote, or sharing a strong personal message. Together we shared our ideas and supported each other’s artwork.

I-YEL’s art projects helped each and every one of us to find our identity in art and how to represent it properly. From looking at other artist’s work, to seeing inspiration up close, anything is possible to let your message out. Art is essential to reflect on your life and progress so far as a person and throughout these couple of weeks we all have discovered that.

- Rebecca and Victoria

Your hood', Your Parks - October 29th, 2011

2011-11-19T15:33:00.000-08:00

Think you know San Francisco? On Saturday October 29, 2011, IYEL interns participated in a “Your Hood, Your Parks” activity at the Crissy Field Center. In this project, IYELers, with the help of Google Earth and media lab specialist, Jon Shade, shared what they knew about their neighborhood. We Google Earthed places around our community: where we go to school, where we get groceries, where we hang out, and places we want to avoid (other than school). Then, we presented these places to the other IYELers. From this project, we discovered interesting things about our fellow teammates. We discovered that some IYELers go to the same grocery store and hang out at the same place, and some of us even found out about buildings (and parks) that we didn’t know were in our neighborhood.

Along with learning about our buildings and parks, we learned about environmental topics affecting our community. We researched topics such as different watersheds, toxic waste lands, and sewer plants in SF and how different environmental factors, whether it’s soil contamination or air pollutants, that play a big part in our community. Through this activity, we became more aware of what goes on in our community, and how we can make it change for the better.

We learned that a lot goes on in San Francisco, more than we expected. There are environmentally unpleasant living spaces in our own city, and we are eager to learn what can be done to improve the affected areas.

By the way, gotta remember go visit our parks!! Until next time, this is Wilson and JM signing off! Stay tuned for more blogs!

- Jane Marie and Wilson

Our Adventures Through the Presidio - October 22nd, 2011

2011-11-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

Here in I-YEL we had the chance to participate In the Crissy Field History walk were we took a small walk with Presidio Ranger Fatima and Ranger Mariajose. We learned a little about the history of Crissy Field and how it has come to look as it is now. With short stories of the Ohlone Tribe and their beliefs and with many pictures of how it looked back then. A lot of the new interns say that from the interesting stories they learned things that they have never really thought about it and that now that they know it they could share it with others. To us it is important that we know the history of Crissy Field so we know what has happened in the past and how we could take that in and make it part of our future. Also how we could give back to our community and make it something good of it.

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Where do the native plants from the Presidio come from? Most of the plants that you see around the Golden Gate and Presidio derive from the Plant Nursery. On October 22^nd and November 19^th, I-YEL Interns participated in the Presidio Plant Nursery with activities including planting, & cleaning seeds. One of the many interesting things that we have done, was having the opportunity to choose a plant that we feel best represented each one us as an individual. From this experience we learned more about our plants and where they come from.

- Laura and Luciana

An Amazing Overnight and Speed Dating Adventure - October 14-15, 2011

2011-11-19T15:05:00.000-08:00

Have you ever done an overnight with a group of people? Well, every year here at I-YEL we do an overnight for new interns who are now a part of the program.

Our mentors even made us dinner. We ate pizza freshly out from the “Cob Oven.” Yes, I said Cob Oven - pretty cool huh!? After dinner we went to a historical place called Sutro Baths. Built by the mayor of San Francisco Adolph Sutro during the late 1880’s it used to be an indoor pool that used water from the ocean. The next day the I-YEL interns had to do a scavenger hunt activity not like a normal scavenger hunt. It had its own uniqueness where we had to find native plants all around the Presidio and take pictures of it and we had to go to other areas too. After the scavenger hunt the I-YEL interns had the chance to go to McLaren Park to learn more about other open spaces in the city and to expand our knowledge of nature and how we could play a big part in it. We did so many fun things that night and the day - I had a lot of fun!

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October 19th, 2011 (Wednesday meeting)

Have you ever done speed dating? Here at I-YEL the interns did speed dating with the staff to get to know each other since we’ll be working with each other for a whole school year. We had two circles an inner and outer circle, the staff sat in the inner circle and the interns sat in the outside circle. We all wrote one question and the instructor picked a question out of the bucket and asked the question to everyone and talked about the question for 1 minuet then kept rotating after each minuet. It was pretty fun experience after all and especially if you never been speed dating or don’t know what it is.

-Jose and Nyrie

2011-03-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

I-YEL's 1st ever youth summit "BACKYARD BOUND" was a huge success! We want to thank all the organizations and participants who came out for a fun and powerful experience!

- Landpath’s Bayer Farm, Santa Rosa

- Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park , Richmond

- Sequoia High School , Redwood City

- Linking Individuals to the Natural Communities (LINC), San Francisco

- GO; Get Outdoors, Fremont

- The Ever Forward Club, Oakland

- Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ), San Francisco

- Watersheds Inspiring Student Education (Project Wise), San Francisco

- Students from Wallenberg, Balboa, Academy High School (individual sign-ups)

We also want to thank all the organizations for the support!

National Park Service,

Presidio Trust,

Bay Area Wilderness Training,

Presidio Community YMCA

Pacific Leadership Institute,

Valencia 826.

Lombardi Sports

And a HUGE thank you for all the Crissy Field Center, Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, Presidio Trust, and National Park Service Staff who came out to help.

More updates, pictures, and I-YEL intern reaction coming SOON!

*" I-YEL would like to apologize for last weekend’s rain storm. It is our understanding that the sun did not come out, out of fear that it would have been out SHINED!" ~ Jacky Lu

~ The I-YEL Team

BACKYARD BOUND! an environmental youth-led summit

2011-02-16T09:33:00.000-08:00

This year the I-YEL team is organizing the first annual Backyard Bound youth summit. The topic of this year's event will be: “How do we reconnect youth back to the parks and the outdoors”?

The I-YELers have been hard at work putting together the agenda, activities, and workshop/discussion topics for this exciting overnight camping experience. Backyard Bound will take place in March in San Francisco's Presidio. If you are part of a Bay Area youth organization interested in attending, please get in touch with I-YEL.

I-YEL interns setting up camp at Rob Hill, the site of the upcoming BACKYARD BOUND summit.

Whats up with I-YEL

2010-12-07T19:11:00.000-08:00

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This is the first of I-YEL's bi-monthly video logs. From these V-Log's you can keep yourself updated on what the interns are up to and the progress of their projects. You can also find out about cool events the Crissy Field Center is hosting.

Crissy Field Center's Grand gREen Opening

2010-01-28T16:02:00.000-08:00

Crissy Field Center's Grand gREen Opening

February 6, 2010
11am-3pm
Audience: Elementary School Students, Families, Groups, High School Students, Middle School Students
Location: Crissy Field, Crissy Field Center
Event Type: Environment/Science, Food, Music

Celebrating Youth, Environment, and Leadership
Bring the whole family to celebrate Crissy Field Center's Grand gREen Opening at our new cutting edge building on East Beach! See green technology in action while enjoying music from the Banana Slug String Band, experience the Japanese folk drumming delights of Ensohza, and groove to fresh beats from DJ Baltazar of bay area radio fame. Stay for site tours, and family-friendly activities that demonstrate some of the building's cool sustainability features. Plus tastings from the Beach Hut menu and Eco-goodie give aways make it a fun-filled day for the whole family.
Here is a sample of what we have in store:
Gather in the Sustainable Arts Workshop to see how images and words can empower action around social and environmental justice issues then craft your own printed slogan on a button or recycled t-shirt.
Enjoy songs, stories, and interactive games for the little ones at 'Tot Corner.'
Construct a sustainable city using scissors, string, and a little ingenuity to transform ordinary cardboard moving boxes into your own work of architectural mastery.
Get clean, green, and gorgeous in the Urban Ecology Lab as you make safe, non-toxic cleaning supplies for the home, then try a little cosmetic chemistry by combining natural ingredients to create custom lip balm and shaving creams.
Trace the tracks of your favorite food using Google Earth in our state-of-the-art Media Lab and learn how to make smarter choices at the market.
Enter a free raffle for your chance to win free program certificates and more.
This event is FREE and for all ages! No RSVP necessary. The celebration will go on rain or shine. Check back often for event updates. Click here for directions to the new facility.
Special thanks to The Real Food Company for providing lunch to our event staff and volunteers!
View this event en Español

Wheel of Chocolate Review

2008-04-29T18:12:00.000-07:00

On Saturday, April 19, 2008 the Crissy Field Center had an event called Earth Stroll where young children ages 4-10 and their families participated in many environmental and educational booths concerning the Earth. There were a total of 18 booths; some along the marsh and airfield while some were in the Crissy Field Center and some were in the Crissy Field Plaza.

Inspiring Young Emerging Leaders (I-YEL) ran a booth called the Wheel of Chocolate where participants had to spin a wheel which determined how many strawberries they would receive and then they were asked a nutritional trivia question related to organic foods. When they got the answer right, they were given their chocolate covered strawberry. The strawberries and chocolate used are organic and from Rainbow Grocery.

The purpose of our booth was to educate the public about nutrition and the importance of organic foods. We achieved that goal by asking nutritional trivia questions and then giving them the answers afterwards. Every participant walked away from our booth with a new fact learned.

The Success of Eco Career Day

2008-03-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Eco Career Day was a huge success. With almost one hundred forty people showed up, making it the biggest Eco Career Day in I-Yel history. "I thought Eco Career Day was a huge success," said Aekta, with a big smile, "It was great to see young people and professionals equally interested in environmental issues." With eight workshops, including "Marsh Dunking", Pimping Zero Emission Houses, and Cooking Lunch with amazing chef and Crissy Field Cafe manager Mat Wolf, young people got a "very insightful and eye opening experience for new opportunities" said secomd year I-Yel intern Chris Norman.
Of all of the people surveyed, three fourths of the people said they would recommend this event for their friends to go to.

Fort Point: The Ocean, the Bridge and the Fort

2008-02-10T14:40:00.000-08:00

Get away from your parents for a full day, discover the spookiness behind a military fort, and find out about the natural side of our bay area—what could be funner? How about meeting new people your age and spending the night underneath the Golden Gate Bridge—plus awesome food? Then come spend a day with I-YEL interns at Fort Point! March 2008. Date TBD. Starts at 10am and ends 10am the next day. Awesome food included.
All you need to bring:
sleeping bag
change of clothes
pj’s
comfortable shoes
a flashlight
a warm jacket or other outerwear
optional--a camera
maybe a toothbrush and toothpaste.
If you don’t have a sleeping bag or a flashlight, I-YEL can provide them. Please contact Ernesto Pepito: 415-561-7767.

Brought to you by Wendy, Bea, Shirley and Anjie from the I-YEL Outreach team!

Earth Day Picnic

2008-02-10T13:56:00.000-08:00

Green Chocolate For Your Health

April 19, 2008 (Saturday)
10am - 3pm
Crissy Field

Come join us for a fun day at the Crissy Field, where we will have a chocolaty picnic with lots of fitness activities. We will be giving out organic covered chocolate

Event Numero Uno (# 1)

2008-02-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

Who: I-YEL, Youth-Speaks, Bay Area ROTC Units

What: Chillax on your most precious national park, OCEAN BEACH ! Activities
include a bangin' poetry slam by Youth-Speaks, and a clean up activity with
youth from the ROTC, in addition to...A JROTC COMPETITION/SEr day for
the cadets . In the end, its a fun evening where we can just kick back.

Where: Ocean Beach (exact segment yet to be decided)

When: Cesar Chavez Day (March 31st), 6 PM -11 PM

Why: To promote teens use of the parks within the Bay Area. In addition, a time
where we can all just unwind and take it easy.

I-YEL UPCOMING EVENTS!!!

2008-02-10T11:49:00.000-08:00

I-YEL is going to be hosting various events throughout the rest of the year. Keep on checking this blog in order to find out more information on the events. Event #1 comming soon!!!

Presidential Elections 2008

2008-01-19T14:43:00.000-08:00

The Candidates
This year, the next presidential election is taking place. Of the many candidates running, the two that stand out the most are Obama and Clinton. There is not much to say about the Third Party candidates since everyone knows they won’t win. Anyways, the two candidates most likely to win make this election very special. Up until now, every president has been an old white guy. This time around, there is a women running, and a half African. This is huge because they are the two candidates most likely to win, meaning that the winner of this election will make history.

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The Process
Recently, we had an expert on US politics talk and inform us about the presidential election, the process, etc. One thing that stood out was the voting process. Few people know this, but their vote does not really count. When people think they are giving a vote to the candidate of their choice, they are really voting for a member of the electoral college of their state. The Electoral College members then vote for whom they are pledged to, and the majority vote is the vote of the entire state. This system is simply unfair. Even if a candidate won popular vote, he could still lose the state vote and lose his rightful spot as president. Cough* Al Gore *Cough.

renewable energy

2007-12-12T18:21:00.000-08:00

Renewable energy is a energy that can be used over and over again and there is a few kinds of it. Renewable energy has most commonly known sources as in... wind, solar, water, biomass, and geothermal energy. Wind energy is produced by windmills on top of mountains getting energy from the wind. Solar takes energy from the sun. Water uses dams turning a turbine to produce energy. Biomass is the burning of plants but this is not recommended for anyone. Geothermal using the heat from the earths mantle to heat up places around the house.

2007-11-15T18:38:00.000-08:00

Hi Peoples who read the blog!!

Well...today the OUTREACH team went to go take a candlelight tour at FORT POINT!! YAY! Personally, I love Fort Point, because its such an interesting place to walk around in. We got to walk through Fort Point with these awesome lanterns. As we walked on, Ranger Maureen would tell us a little bit of this and that about how Fort Point came to be.

In case you didn't know, Fort Point, is located right underneath the Golden Gate Bridge. It was built to hold off armed fleet attacks back in the day. It was there but never used. I find that having spent so much time building it and preparing it against attacks, and then have it never put to use is so absolutely fascinating.

Leadership

2007-11-13T18:35:00.000-08:00

Hey Everybody!!

For the past 2 or 3 I-Yel days, I have been exposed to the idea of being a leader. On Saturday, my role was to be a part of the team, and on Monday, I was to lead an activity for Teens on Trails. When faced with these activities, I began thinking, "What is it that defines a good leader? Why be a leader?" I came to the following conclusion:

Leaders are people who support the people when they need it the most. True leaders are here to guide the people they are trying to lead, and lead people because they want to make a positive impact in that particular person's life. Not for glory, not for a title, not for love, ,not power, but out of the pure goodness of their heart. A true leader is someone who is there unconditionally for your mind, body, and soul. Maybe not to comfort them and say it's okay, everything will be okay, but sometimes everything isn't going to be okay. A true leader is there to get you back on track when you're down. A true leader is there to put you back on the individual trail you want to restore. Not have them be a carbon copy them. As a leader, I strive to help my fellow team members achieve what they want to do. I try my best to get them on their track and pick them up when they fall. Help them restore their trail if it's a mess.

I'm still not sure what a leader is but I must say that a good leader is there to serve people because they love them. Not for glory, not for the love, not for a title, not for a raise, not for ANYTHING. It is because they want to; they care.

These are things that I am pondering in my mind about leadership. Please feel free to drop a comment or two, or maybe nine, whatever toots your horn.

Warmest Regards,

Linda♥

OH NO! OIL SPILL IN THE BAY!

2007-11-10T14:53:00.000-08:00

Heylo! This is Norma and Kary. Have you heard about the oil spill in the bay? We did, and now we feel sad and frustrated. 58,000 gallons of goopy oil is floating around in the bay, all because of a single accident involving a ship and the Golden Gate Bridge. WHAT A MESS!!!! Not only one life will be affected, but many lives will be affected. Special birds are found covered in oil and unable to clean themselves, pools of oil can be seen on the beach, and we don't even know whats going on under the water! WHAT A DISASTER!!! Something similar to this happened a long time ago, did we really need a repeat? We think that more money should be put into the clean up project because it is most definitely important!! The creatures in the bay are suffering just because we want our material goods. Think about it.... this wouldnt have happened if that ship carrying all those products from Korea never came here in the first place. If we hadn't demanded those products, then nothing terrible would have happened! also, if it takes 58,000 gallons to sail a ship from the U.S. to Korea, where does all that burned up oil go to? The air?? thats not good either! Unfortunately, what has happened has happened and all we can do now is try to clean up our gigantic mess. Whattaya think?

-Norma & Kary

Before the Oil Spilled
Personally, I know it was 1) a shock, and 2) terribly heart-wrenching when I heard about the second biggest oil spill in the history of the Bay. 58,000 gallons, a mariner who had years' experience in the Bay and acted like he didn't know what the hell he was doing, and many wildlife and sea animals given a death sentence.... It hurts to know that all this, in our tech-savvy and environment-concious society, can still happen--and it can still happen right at home.

But has anyone considered why the boat that spilled oil all over our beloved waters was in the Bay to begin with? It carried "bunker oil," which is basically the scum that's left over after gas companies (like Shell) filter the "best" part of the oil out and sell it as gasoline to gas-hungry, SUV-driving consumers. The residue? It's put on boats and gets shipped out to who knows where. Not to mention the gas used to power the boat that sails the junk out of here!

People are ready to wash birds with dishwashing liquid to "save" them (though in reality, if the bird has already injested any oil at all, it will die, no matter how clean it is), but who is talking about the causes of the oil spill, and the long-term problems our oil addiction causes? Before the oil spilled, the system of carrying bunker oil out of (and over) the Bay was left unchallenged as part of the bigger system of oil companies.

Before the oil spilled, we were all happily aware that our oil addiction was bad, and happily oblivious to the way we even get our oil at all.
And to me, it seems like we're still happily oblivious to the real issues even after the oil spill, even though we care very much about the birds.

-Anjie Diaz.

NBC environmentally friendly or green washers?

2007-11-07T18:46:00.000-08:00

this week NBC is hosting a green week. many people have seen this on television but how many people know whats really going on in NBC. Are they green washers like many powerful companies or are they really helping us be more green in our lives. if you look on Nbc's pictures and search closely you'd see that many of their green programs are helping the obese people. They are helping the environment but are they really helping us or are they helping themselves? this is a question up to u to answer but really think about it: what are they really up to... I-yel rules!!!!!!!

Power to the People

2007-11-06T18:51:00.000-08:00

Van Jones spoke at Bioneers this past October. Amidst jokes about just how environmental environmentalists really are, he spoke about how much power the movement is gaining and has right now. He brought up the question of what to do with this power: "The question has to be asked, and it has to be answered, as this movement moves from the margin to the center..., who are we going to take with us, and who are we going to leave behind?"

I remember, when I was younger, feeling powerless. It was usually invoked by my awareness of my family's tough financial situation. As a kid, it hurt me to know that I couldn't answer my own question--at least, not yet: What can I do to help?

And I know there are many of us all who are thinking that same thing. What we have to realize is that we do have power. With all the momentum environmentalism is gaining, maybe this is a time when we--as powerful environmentalists--can help the people and the places that can't help themselves. These are the ones who we can't leave behind.

An Intern's Response to the Quote...

2007-11-01T18:37:00.000-07:00

"You can't lead the people, if you don't love the people. You can't save the people, if you don't serve the people." ~Cornel West (University Professor of Religion, Princeton University)

My immediate reaction was "Wow, this requires thought". However, as I thought more about it, I began to realize that this could be interpreted in many different ways, by different people. I came up with something like this:

"You can not effectively do something unless you enjoy what it is you are doing. This is because you lack motivation. Also, one must be selfless or little for the good of man will be done."

However, some of my fellow peers thought many things ranging from celebrities' behavior toward society, to how it relates to Machiavelli's novels ideals.

WOOHOOO! first blog post! in the future, an intern will be summing up the day's events after every meeting.

until next time, YEL for the environment !!!!!!!!!

Who Yells? I YEL!

2007-11-01T18:20:00.000-07:00

Hello Inspired Emerging Young Leaders.

This is a space to voice your opinions and YELL your beliefs, but remember to always speak with a purpose.

Welcome to your blog.

Who Yells?

I-YEL!!