Earth Systems Science, Inc.

ESSI Supports T.H.E.F.L.A.B.A.

Nov 09, 2002

ESSI accepted the invitation to attend T.H.E.F.L.A.B.A. (To Help the Environment and the Future of Los Angeles for a Better America) picnic. This group is essentially the Los Angeles Community Partners Youth Council. The core leadership are youth involved in various environmental activities from their local schools. Many were also part of the NPCA/LACP Jr. Ranger Pilot Program.

Both Patrick McCullough and Greg Lee were instrumental in launching the innovative Jr. Ranger Pilot Program that directly supported the NPCAs Cultural Diversity program. All that happened before ESSI was founded. As a matter of fact, ESSI was a direct result of McCullough and Lee meeting and collaborating on the project. So it comes as no surprise that both a keen to support these youth in their attempt to "pay back" and to involve other youth in environmental education.

The picnic was also an opportunity for a reunion of some other core Jr. Ranger Pilot Program players, Francisco Bermudez-Morales (NPCA) and Renee Klein (retired LAUSD). The setting was Angles Point in Elysian Park, overlooking Dodger Stadium and the Los Angeles Central Business District. Ironically, many of the attendees had never visited this particular idyllic park site in the midst of the bustling metro area.

T.H.E.F.L.A.B.A. is open to all youth in the LA area. Especially welcomed are urban youth of color as this theme enables the group to directly support the NPCA cultural diversity program goals.

ESSI directly supports T.H.E.F.L.A.B.A. by encouraging their members to sign up for the two Public Land Corps (PLC) grants awarded to the Expo Neighbors Association (a collaborative partner of ESSI) at the Santa Monica Mtns. NRA and Manzanar NHS. Other ESSI local neighborhood initiatives are also open to these youth. This provides them with access to additional environmental training in the area of practical technology and job skills as well as community service opportunities.

Since they are just starting, funding is a major concern. But contacts with non-monetary support (e.g. transportation, equipment, etc.) are also encouraged. These youth also need adult volunteers to help supervise some of their activities as well as access to facilities for their meetings. Other community groups wishing to actively interact with and support T.H.E.F.L.A.B.A. are encouraged to contact the group by e-mail: theflaba@yahoo.com