Cultivating Growth: Take Action Global and BreakFree Education in Action

At Take Action Global (TAG), we believe that climate education is a right for all learners. Our ongoing partnership with BreakFree Education exemplifies this commitment, bringing together our global network with their specialized expertise in fostering community-driven change among system-involved youth. Together, we’ve launched New Steps of Change, an initiative designed to connect young learners to the environment and inspire tangible action, starting with the vital role of trees in our world.

BreakFree Education works with young people involved in the juvenile justice system, providing them with opportunities for personal growth and community engagement. New Steps of Change introduces these students to sustainability and environmental justice through a unique lens: their personal connection to trees. This approach recognizes that fostering a sense of belonging and responsibility towards the natural world can be a powerful catalyst for positive change. By grounding the program in asset-based community development, BreakFree Education ensures that the initiative builds upon the existing strengths and resources within these young people’s communities, empowering them to become agents of change.

At BreakFree Education, we are thrilled to partner with Take Action Global. This initiative offers a unique opportunity to connect our students, held in confinement, with the natural world. By exploring their relationship with trees, we’re fostering environmental awareness and empowering them to become active contributors to their communities – one seedling of change at a time.

The initiative unfolds across four thoughtfully designed sessions. Beginning with an exploration of the UN Global Goals, students then deepen their understanding of the impact of trees. This groundwork leads to a project-based learning activity where students develop action plans for community tree planting proposals. To further engage their creativity, a design challenge involving tree dedication plaques encourages a personal investment in the proposed actions. This structured approach aims to move students from awareness to active participation in shaping their environment.

Here are some key takeaways that we feel can apply to all classrooms:

Building Identity and Connections: New Steps of Change highlights the importance of fostering a strong sense of identity and connection to the environment. By encouraging learners to explore their personal relationships with nature (specifically trees), the program establishes a foundation for environmental stewardship and action. This focus on identity can be particularly impactful for marginalized youth, providing a positive framework for self-discovery and community engagement.

Asset-Based Approaches: By focusing on the existing strengths and resources within a community (or, in this case, within the lives of the students), we can design more effective and sustainable solutions. This approach values the contributions of all learners and promotes a sense of agency.

Action-Oriented Learning: Moving beyond awareness to action is crucial. Providing students with opportunities to develop and implement real-world projects, like tree planting proposals, can empower them to become active participants in creating a better future.
The collaboration between TAG and BreakFree Education on New Steps of Change is about nurturing a generation that actively contributes to a healthier planet. By focusing on connection, action, and robust educator support, this initiative aims to inspire lasting environmental responsibility and community engagement among all learners, including those too often marginalized. This work was made possible in part by a grant from the Longview Foundation.