Northern California Environmental Justice Network
Since summer of 2019, CommUniverCity has been working with colleagues at 12 Northern California universities to discuss and share best practices on environmental justice teaching and research. This past winter, CommUniverCity hosted a meeting of the core planning committee with over 25 students, staff, and faculty representatives. In April 2020, SJSU Environmental Studies
Assistant Professor Carolina Prado led an online session attended by more than 50 members that highlighted what network partners could do to support the work of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Bands’ efforts to prevent proposed mining activities in Juristac, local land considered sacred by the tribe. With the support of
tribal leader Valentin Lopez, several participating faculty
members incorporated petition signing and letter writing into their spring classes and connected interested students to internship opportunities as a result of our initial collaboration. The next phase of the program will focus on better understanding community partner needs and identify more opportunities to work on collective campaigns across colleges to amplify our
efforts.
Project Impacts
100% of emerging community leaders now believe their voice is important in creating community solutions
80% of emerging community leaders developed the ability to create a plan to find solutions to community problems
90% of program participants found the necessary resources to confront problems in their community
Universities Involved
Students Engaged
SJSU Faculty Engaged
Hours of Faculty & Student Service
Value
Faculty Lead
Katherine Cushing, Carolina Prado, and Costanz Rampini (Environmental Studies)