Youth Engagement
Opportunities for Solano High School Youth
Sustainable Solano has grown our youth engagement across our various programs, including new Fellowships and internship opportunities for Solano high school students. This page outlines the upcoming opportunities and training sessions.
High school students must participate in one of the certification sessions offered in-person or online before starting a Sustainable Solano internship. These engaging certification sessions explore environmental challenges at a global, community and individual level, bringing the discussion to bear on youth leadership and engagement around environmental justice. Certification sessions are free to attend and open to any Solano high school student, and are listed on the right side of the page. Students can attend a certification session even if they are not ready to apply for an internship.
After participating in an internship, students are invited to join the Youth Leadership Council to connect with other students and continue shaping outreach within their communities.
Students interested in internships should fill out this application form.
Questions? Contact Allison Nagel at allison@sustainablesolano.org
Scroll down or use the links below to learn more about each internship opportunity.
Community Resilience
Urban Ag & Gardens
- None open at this time
Youth Cooking/Local Food
- None open at this time
Community Resilience
Youth Air Protectors
Location: Rio Vista
Commitment: September-December 2024
Stipend: $200/4 weeks ($800 total)
Application deadline: Aug. 26, but applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Want clean breathable air in Rio Vista? Want to make a difference in your community? Become a Youth Air Protector! Sustainable Solano is seeking 5-10 high school aged interns to work with us from September-December 2024. Interns will learn about air quality challenges in Rio Vista and become community leaders and change-makers within their neighborhoods, engaging the community around air quality and leading the creation of a community-driven air quality action plan. You must live or go to school in Rio Vista to be eligible.
Over the course of four months, interns will: Learn about air quality challenges facing Rio Vista; Help to implement a green infrastructure and walkability project; Assist with community outreach, education and events; Co-facilitate community conversations; Help to lead the creation of an Air Quality Community Action Plan; Create personal action plans for steps they can take in their own lives and share with others; Complete final projects that demonstrate potential improvements to the local environment.
Interns will be expected to attend weekly in-person meetings in Rio Vista (location TBD), as well as 2-4 weekend or evening community events per month, and must be able to transport themselves. (This program includes the certification material as part of the schedule.)
Urban Ag & Gardens
Youth Cooking/Local Food
Certification Sessions
High school students must participate in one of Sustainable Solano’s free certification sessions to participate in an internship. Certification sessions are offered in-person and online.
During certification, students will participate in Pachamama Alliance’s Awakening the Dreamer course and reflect on their vision for the world through a collage-art project, explore One Planet Living principles as a sustainability framework and approach to shaping personal action plans, and learn how to research environmental challenges within their communities.
Online internships are done in two parts. Participants must attend both sessions and there is independent work that needs to be done before each meeting.
Want to participate in a certification session but have a schedule conflict? Reach out to Allison Nagel at allison@sustainablesolano.org
Learn More
Re-envisioning Fairfield’s Streets: Youth Air Protectors Present Final Projects Aug. 27
We invite you to join us for the Fairfield Youth Air Protectors’ final project presentations at the Fairfield Civic Center Library (1150 Kentucky St.) from 12:30-2 pm Sunday, Aug. 27.
Fellowship Focuses on Environmental Justice, Supports Pollinators in Vacaville
As part of Sustainable Solano’s Environmental Justice Leadership Fellowship, seven students from multiple Solano County cities undertook a research and green infrastructure project in Vacaville. Students focused on the Markham neighborhood, a community grappling with several environmental challenges, and explored possible solutions, including walkability, available green spaces, and usable wildlife habitats.
Sustainable Gardening Intern Reflections
The Sustainable Gardening internship was an opportunity for high school students to learn basic permaculture principles with a focus on waterwise gardening, and engage with community members while supporting community gardens. These three interns shared their reflections on the program with us, and we are excited to share them with you here with their permission.