Field Chats: Environmental Applied Civics Essentials

Earth Force
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In Field Chats, the Earth Force team breaks down Environmental Applied Civics - the research-based approach to build youth-adult partnerships, help young people be environmental decision-makers, and improve your enjoyment of teaching! Whether you’re just getting started or deep in implementation, Field Chats serves as a living library of best practices, insights, and stories shaping the future of how young people learn best. Episodes are under 20 minutes and full of actionable tips!

  1. May 19

    Episode 59: Building Resilient Communities with Leia Lowery

    In this episode, Earth Force CEO Vince Meldrum talks with Leia Lowery, Founder and CEO of The Climate Initiative (TCI). Leia shares how TCI grounds massive global climate issues at the local level to give students direct access to community action. They discuss the power of place-based education, how environmental action combats loneliness, and why students who struggle in traditional classrooms often shine the brightest when taking action.

    26 min

  2. May 10

    Episode 58: Empowering the Next Generation of Water Leaders

    This episode explores the Water Education Exemplars Project, a Colorado initiative bridging the gap between state water policy and youth engagement. Earth Force's Alyssa McConkey speaks with veteran environmental educator Donny Roush and CSU student Maya about the urgent need to meet the 2050 Colorado Water Plan goals. By training and compensating young people to serve as professional evaluators, the project ensures that environmental education in Colorado is both high-quality and impactful. Maya shares how the experience transformed her from a student to a respected collaborator, emphasizing the power of youth-adult partnerships in building a sustainable and water-conscious future.

    23 min

  3. Apr 21

    Episode 57: 250 Years In: The Future of Civic Education

    What happens when students stop just memorizing the three branches of government and start actually influencing them? In this episode of Field Chats, the Earth Force team discusses why "content knowledge" isn't enough to solve the climate crisis or rebuild civic trust. From stories of middle-school campaigning to the power of "agency as collectivity," the team explores how we can provide young people with the toolkit they need to recognize power, address inequity, and drive systemic change. Show notes: Campano, G., Ghiso, M. P., Badaki, O., & Kannan, C. (2020). Agency as collectivity: Community-based research for educational equity. Theory Into Practice, 59 (2), 223–233.

    22 min

  4. Apr 13

    Episode 56: Levers of Civic Change: A Conversation with Ace Parsi

    How do we move education beyond the four walls of the classroom? Vince Meldrum discusses this with Ace Parsi, formerly with iCivics, now a candidate for the U.S. House to represent West Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. They talk about public education as a public benefit and the necessity of transfer of learning - taking a concept from a textbook and applying it to a local bridge or a neighbor’s problem. Environmental Action Civics is an effective model for this type of community-based learning as it provides students with autonomy and a tangible sense of belonging.

    14 min

  5. Mar 25

    Episode 55: EAC in the Social Studies Classroom

    We see you, social studies educators! Earth Force program staff Krysten, SJ, and Taylor discuss how Environmental Action Civics (EAC) bridges science and social studies. They highlight how science and social studies come with different lenses, both offering an ideal learning space for young people to understand and address local environmental issues. Listen in for district examples in Denver and DC that demonstrate how EAC can be integrated into existing curricula by supporting civic action projects, connecting to frameworks like C3, and using real-world issues (such as protest movements and urban heat islands) as entry points for student inquiry and action.

    18 min

  6. Mar 16

    Episode 54: Place and Community: Authentic Youth Learning in New Mexico

    In this episode of Field Chats: Environmental Action Civics Essentials, Alyssa McConkey talks with Dr. Antonio Gonzales of Albuquerque Public Schools and Erin Blaz and Theresa Aragon from the Ciudad Soil and Water Conservation District about what authentic student learning looks like in New Mexico. They share how place-based experiences help students connect classroom learning to their own communities and see themselves as environmental stewards. The conversation highlights how EAC moves beyond teaching about environmental problems to empowering young people to investigate issues, work with community partners, and take meaningful action to improve their communities. Show links: Ciudad Soil and Water District Albuquerque Public Schools - Dr. Antonio Gonzales  Earth Force’s Three Essential Experiences

    30 min

  7. Feb 24

    Episode 53: Climate Literacy + Civic Action: How Colorado Made It Official

    What does it take to move from youth interest in climate to state-level policy change? In this episode of Field Chats: Environmental Action Civics Essentials, we sit down with Mary Seawell, CEO of Lyra Colorado, to unpack the story behind Colorado’s Seal of Climate Literacy — a high school diploma endorsement created through Senate Bill 24-014. Mary shares how a small team, strong relationships with educators, and youth-led testimony helped pass statewide legislation without a lobbyist — and why centering student voice was the most persuasive strategy of all. We explore: What the Seal of Climate Literacy requires (coursework + experiential, community-based action) How rural and urban communities alike helped shape and champion the policy Why flexibility and district-level ownership matter How existing frameworks (like Environmental Action Civics) can align with and strengthen the seal What it means to design climate education that is hopeful, place-based, and rooted in community values In its first full year, more than 420 students earned the seal — with participation expected to triple. This conversation is a powerful reminder that when young people are trusted as civic leaders, systems can shift. Learn more about Lyra Colorado.

    19 min

  8. Feb 10

    Episode 52: Learning Democracy by Doing It (A Conversation with NYLC and Earth Force!)

    Earth Force CEO Vince Meldrum talks with NYLC CEO Amy Meuers about reimagining service learning as a pathway to democracy. They unpack NYLC’s new Ignite framework, explore the deep connections between service learning and Environmental Action Civics, and share how youth-led, community-centered action builds real impact—and belief in democracy. Learn more NYLC here: https://nylc.org/ Listen to the NYLC podcast: https://nylc.org/power-of-young-people-podcast/

    25 min
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About

In Field Chats, the Earth Force team breaks down Environmental Applied Civics - the research-based approach to build youth-adult partnerships, help young people be environmental decision-makers, and improve your enjoyment of teaching! Whether you’re just getting started or deep in implementation, Field Chats serves as a living library of best practices, insights, and stories shaping the future of how young people learn best. Episodes are under 20 minutes and full of actionable tips!

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