Urban Greening Fellow

Project summary

The California Climate Action Corps (CCAC) is part of a statewide initiative to address and mitigate the effects of climate change. CCAC matches Fellows with organizations to mobilize community members to take direct climate action through education, volunteer mobilization, and assessment focused on urban greening, organic waste diversion and edible food recovery, and wildfire resiliency. This is a climate-focused, workforce development program for emerging climate and environmental leaders.

Opportunity description

The Malibu Foundation is pioneering urban greening initiatives, planting microforests and pollinator gardens in low-income areas to bridge the tree canopy equity gap in Los Angeles County. Our mission extends beyond promoting biodiversity; we strive to reconnect urban spaces with nature, provide vital ecosystem services, and combat climate inequity by contributing to California's 30x30 goal - a commitment to conserve at least 30% of the state's land and coastal waters by 2030. Join us as we study carbon capture, stormwater management, and air quality, leveraging data to drive policy change and enhance community resilience. With a vision to install 8 more microforests by 2025, Fellows will play diverse roles, from managing native plant nurseries to spearheading fire-wise training in high-risk fire zones. Collaborate with us as we nurture environmental stewardship and foster a greener, more sustainable future for all. Duties include, but are not limited to: Collaborate with the Urban Forest Manager to design microforests - training provided - integrating best practices to enhance biodiversity foster ecosystem resilience. Manage native plant nursery, conducting regular monitoring, watering, and maintaining a database of native plant species to support microforest planning and management. Utilize existing data, craft GIS maps to indicate potential microforest sites and map the biodiversity of LA County, collect data from current sites, and analyze and integrate accumulated data into GIS database to inform climate resilience strategy. Leverage GIS mapping to identify strategic areas for microforest expansion and cultivate relationships with proposed sites, facilitating urban greening initiatives with community engagement and support. Craft engaging social media content and educational materials to spread awareness and increase support for microforests and urban greening initiatives to maximize outreach and engagement.

Benefits

• $33,600 stipend
• $10,000 education award
• 340 hours of professional development
• Minimum essential healthcare
• Loan forbearance
• Food and childcare assistance (for those eligible)