Tuesday, March 16, 2010

"High School Mentors" Program Models


Many high schools have done the Fruit Tree Tour program 'out-of-the-box'. Even the Green Theater performacnce, which is geared towards younger audiences, has been a great success with a range of high schools. That said, the high school programs that stand out in 7 years of the tour have added a dynamic mentorship piece that Common Vision is interesting in proliferating.

Here's how it works.

1. Common Vision educators train the high school students in the art and science of tree planting and the related social, environmental, and biological talking points.

2. High students (paired with a Common Vision educator) lead tree plantings either with another local school or with a surrounding neighborhood community.


Jefferson High in South Los Angeles ~ Neighborhood Planting



In this episode of Fruit Tree TV, Common Vision volunteers take to the streets to assist Jefferson High students in meeting their neighbors and planting trees in their neighborhood. Common Vision works with Jefferson High's Green Design Academy in South Los Angeles in a unique community outreach tree planting project.


Environmental Charter High ~ Planting with local Elementary




In this episode, Common Vision works with the Environmental Charter High School Students Council. In the morning the Fruit Tree Tour crew trains the high schoolers in tree planting and the art of leading a 'tree group.' In the afternoon, Common Vision and the High school leaders walked together to neighboring elementary school where the high school youth took engaged 100 4th graders in planting an orchard on their campus.

This was one of the most inspiring days in Fruit Tree Tour History.

Monday, March 15, 2010

Building Community in LA with Jefferson High | Episode #5



In this episode of Fruit Tree TV, Common Vision volunteers take to the streets to assist Jefferson High students in meeting their neighbors and planting trees in their neighborhood. Common Vision works with Jefferson High's Green Design Academy in South Los Angeles in a unique community outreach tree planting project.

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Eco Hip Hop: Can We Plant it?

2008 was the first year Common Vision had a live band backing the Eco-Hip-Hop finale for our Green Theater performance. Here is a studio cut of "Can we plant it?"










If the flash audio player is not working on your browser you can Click Here .

Monday, March 8, 2010

HIgh School Eco Leaders: Fruit Tree TV: Episode #4



In this episode, Common Vision works with the Environmental Charter High School Students Council. In the morning the Fruit Tree Tour crew trains the high schoolers in tree planting and the art of leading a 'tree group.' In the afternoon, Common Vision and the High school leaders walked together to neighboring elementary school where the high school youth took engaged 100 4th graders in planting an orchard on their campus.

This was one of the most inspiring days in Fruit Tree Tour History.

Friday, March 5, 2010

What an amazing two weeks!

The first week of Fruit Tree Tour in Santa Cruz, Watsonville, and Fresno was packed with planting and inspiration. Plantings included 3 elementary schools and 4 head start programs.

The second week in Los Angeles has so far been as powerful and impactful as any in Fruit Tree Tour history. On Monday, we work with the Green Ambassadors and Environmental Charter High School where Common Vision served as mentors for 40 high school leaders. After 2 hours of tree planting training, the high schools and the Fruit Tree Tour crew walked to a local elementary school. The high school students then led the tree planting with a group of 100 4th graders. Fruit Tree TV episode on this planting is coming soon.

The last three days have included 3 elementary schools, 1,100 students, and 55 fruit trees planted in Compton and Pacific Palisades.

Here is a slide show with highlights from the from the tour so far.