Commission approves three youth environmental education grants totaling $75,000

The San Francisco Commission on the Environment on Aug. 29 approved three outgoing environmental‑education grants, each $25,000 for two years, to the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco, City of Dreams and the YMCA.

Esther Tang, senior environmental education strategist, told commissioners the grants are intended to increase transparency for outgoing grants over $100,000 and to bring most outgoing grants before the commission when feasible. She said the awards are funded from department grant funds and described each grant’s scope: field trips and hands‑on activities for 300 students (Boys & Girls Clubs), a youth‑led zero‑waste community engagement project and gardening/compost programming (City of Dreams), and expanded zero‑waste education at after‑school and summer programs (YMCA).

Representatives of the YMCA and City of Dreams described planned curricula and activities. Manuel Rodriguez of the YMCA said the grant will support on‑site curriculum, field trips and STEAM academy activities at Buchanan YMCA. Kareem Sykes of City of Dreams described a six‑week gardening ‘‘earn to learn’’ program and compost collection that has yielded more than 200 pounds of produce.

Following grantee remarks, commissioners moved, seconded and took a roll‑call vote; the resolution authorizing the grants passed unanimously (Aye: President Ahn, Vice President Hahn/Juan, Commissioners Bermejo, Hunter and Sullivan).