The Yellowwood Youth Podcast

Podcast by Episode

#1: Native & Invasive Plants: MC-IRIS & SICIM

In Episode #1 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Ellen Jacquart and Mary Welz about their work for MC-IRIS and SICIM, organizations that focus on Native and Invasive plants and their impacts on the environment. Listen in to find out about these two organizations or learn something new about what's in your backyard.

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• MCIRIS & SICIM

• Indiana Invasives Initiative

• Indiana Native Plant Society

• Natural Resource Conservation Service

• Indiana Nature Preserves DNR

• US Fish & Wildlife Service

• Monroe County Parks & Recreation

• MCIRIS Information For Land Owners

• Indiana Invasive Plant Advisory Committee Facebook Group

• Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule

#2: West Lafayette Youth Climate Strike

In Episode #2 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with three leading members of the West Lafayette Climate Strike, a youth led initiative in West Lafayette, Indiana. They discuss their events, their goals, and the impacts they have had on their community. Listen to learn tips from those who have started their own strike and gain some inspiration to start your own!

​

Resources Related to Episode:

• WCLS Instagram

• Summer Research Opportunities @ Purdue University

• Students Demand Action 

• Article on Virtual Strike

• Article on Tippecanoe WindMill Ban

• Fridays for Future

#5: Y.E.S - Youth For Environmental Sustainability

In Episode #5 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks has a conversation with Maddie Clemmer and Jarrett Alexander, leaders of Y.E.S., the Youth For Environmental Sustainability, about how they started the organization. They discuss the ups and downs of passing a citywide climate resolution and their efforts to bring a similar project to the county level. Listen in for some advice on youth participation in local government, tips on what goes into a climate resolution, and information on how you can join Y.E.S.!

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• Y.E.S. Website  & Instagram

• Article on the Y.E.S. Climate Resolution

• IU Programs Including YELS (writing problem statements)

• Fridays For Future

• Bloomington Commission on Sustainability

• Integrated Program on the Environment @ IU

• Example Climate Resolution

#6 & #7: Debbie Raphael - SF Dept. of Environment

In Episodes #6 & #7 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Debbie Raphael, the Director of the Department of the Environment for San Francisco. She shares her insight on youth involvement in politics, how her path brought her to her position, and explains a concept you may not have heard of called ikigai. Listen in for an incredible conversation from a woman whose work is known as a prototype for environmental policy around the country.

​

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• Debbie Raphael Bio 

• San Francisco Department of the Environment 

• SF Dept. of the Environment Plastic Bans/Policies​

• Urban Sustainability Directors Network

• YY 7 Tips for Activism Blog Post 

• Article on the concept of Ikigai  

• Ted Talk on Ikigai

#3: Herbicide Free Campus

In Episode #3 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Aliza Mchugh, a campus coach for Herbicide Free Campus, a Youth-led nation-wide movement to eradicate herbicide use on college, and now high school, campuses. They discuss the start of the campaign, the social + racial justice aspects of their work, and how students can bring Herbicide Free to their campus! Listen in and sign up to start a campaign at your school.

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• Herbicide Free Campus

• The Black Institute 

• BI Poison Parks Report

• Article on Dwayne “Lee” Johnson’s Fight Against Monsanto

• Green New Deal

#4: Friends of the Earth: Climate-Friendly Food

In Episode #4 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Chloe Waterman, a program manager for Friends of the Earths Climate-Friendly Food Purchasing Program. She shares what experiences impacted her as she grew up, gives advice to students on how to take action in their cafeterias, and provides a slew of resources for youth to access. Listen in to get some ideas for initiatives, or even a job opportunity.

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• Friends of the Earth

• Lewis & Clark Animal Law Program

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

• Real Meals Campaign

• Better Buying Lab

• Friends of the Earth School Food

• Friends of the Earth Internship & Job Opportunities

• Forward Food Project

• Good Food Purchasing Program

#8: The Urban Garden Initiative

In Episode #8 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Megan Chen, the Founder and Executive Director of The Urban Garden Initiative, and Zofi Sanders, the ​Associate Director of Partnerships. They share a long list of ways to get involved with TUGI and lessons they’ve learned from working for the organization. Listen in to get ideas for initiatives, inspiration from youth activists, and service hour opportunities.

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• The Urban Garden Initiative

• The "Why" behind TUGI

• Start a TUGI Chapter & Chapter Map

• Youth Executive Committee

• Partners:  Zero Hour & the National Children's Campaign

• Volunteer Opportunities

• Project Green Challenge

• TUGI Instagram

#9: TBA

In Episode #9 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with ..... TBA

​

Resources Discussed in Episode:

• TBA

Listen through the Spotify Player Below: