Urban Forestry Part 4: Empowering At-Risk Youth
Preserving Nature and Empowering Urban Communities through City Forest Credit’s St. Elmo Preservation Project
Empowering at-risk youth and fostering community-wide efforts to protect urban forests are both essential contributions to environmental justice and conservation. Engaging communities in protecting their own green spaces fosters a sense of ownership and community cohesion, promoting mental well-being, and relieving stress and anxiety. It also provides valuable educational opportunities for at-risk youth in environmental conservation, leadership, and teamwork.
These initiatives yield economic advantages by attracting visitors, increasing property values, and supporting local businesses involved in eco-tourism and recreation. Preserving urban forests also strengthens climate resilience, mitigates extreme heat events, and promotes sustainable urban development while advocating for long-term sustainability and influencing policies and decision-making. Ultimately, these efforts positively impact future generations, nurturing environmentally conscious leaders and ensuring a more sustainable and resilient urban environment for years to come.
The Benefits of Urban Forestry Conservation Efforts through the St. Elmo Preservation Project
Lookout Mountain, which spans across Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia, holds immense ecological importance and historical significance, in particular the St. Elmo Preservation Project. What started as a simple endeavor to connect the Guild-Hardy and St. Elmo trails has evolved into a community-wide effort to protect forested land at risk of urban development. The St. Elmo Preservation Project now works to protect forested land, expand recreational opportunities, and empower at-risk youth.
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The 58-acre oak-pine forest, nestled between the Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park and the historic St. Elmo neighborhood, plays a crucial role in maintaining habitat connectivity and providing essential wildlife habitats. This protected property is home to various species, including eastern box turtles, red-tailed hawks, black bears, and spotted salamanders, whose survival and well-being heavily depend on its conservation.
Lookout Mountain Conservancy’s Commitment to Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship
Lookout Mountain Conservancy is committed to engaging urban youth with nature through its conservation efforts. In collaboration with The Howard School, a local high school, the Conservancy provides employment and scholarship opportunities to at-risk teens. Through internships, these young individuals learn about ecological conservation, develop valuable skills for their future, and actively contribute to the maintenance and restoration of forested lands. By preserving forested land, expanding recreational opportunities, and empowering at-risk youth, the project serves as a model for community engagement and environmental stewardship.
City Forest Credits Leading Urban Forest Preservation in the United States
City Forest Credits is the national standard for greenhouse gas emission reduction and removal for tree projects in cities and towns. Developed by leading scientists, industry, and urban forest professionals, and recently endorsed by ICROA, City Forest Credits define the set of requirements that tree preservation, afforestation, and reforestation projects must follow in order to issue third-party verified carbon credits. The St. Elmo Preservation Project adheres to the City Forest Credit Standard, Version 2.0, ensuring rigorous verification and compliance with high-quality carbon offset standards.
Why Purchase Carbon Credits on Regen Marketplace?
Support on-the-ground ecological regeneration projects by purchasing, trading, and retiring digital carbon and ecological credits backed by real-world climate impact. Regen Marketplace makes it easy to support St. Elmo and other innovative carbon and ecological credits. You have the flexibility to choose how you want to buy and retire credits for carbon offsetting purposes, whether through our concierge sales service or directly from the marketplace using cryptocurrency.
