BY BELEM GOMEZ and TALIA HANSEL
The Young Leaders Program of St. Paul”'s Church and the Semilla Center for Healing and the Arts will be exploring themes of watershed education, conservation, and activism this summer. As emerging leaders in our communities, we want to bring an awareness of the importance of water in our lives and change the way we think about water as a resource.
By creating boulevard gardens along 15th avenue and 28th Street, we Young Leaders hope to filter water from our alleys, gutters, and rooftops through our boulevard gardens. Every drop of rain that runs into the street goes directly to the Mississippi River, without being treated. Native grasses and other plants will help to cleanse the runoff which is beneficial to our lakes and rivers. As we learn new skills in leadership, art installation, and gardening, we will be able to problem solve and think critically about our communities in relation to our water lifestyles.
We Young Leaders are working to make our communities more beautiful, from our neighborhood streets into the Mississippi River! Learn more about watershed protection at our block party on July 15 (10 am to 2 pm) on the 2700 block of 15th Avenue, and at Lake Streets Open Streets on July 23. For more information, call 612-724-3862 or e-mail semillacenter@gmail.com.
Belem Gomez and Talia Hansel are Community Ambassadors for Young Leaders
