Clean Energy Education Programs
Educating people - especially kids - about protecting the Earth's natural resources is one of the most important things we do at Trees, Water & People. We think nothing beats a hands-on learning experience, so we strive to create opportunities for people to interact with their environment - getting in touch with the natural world.

Our educational efforts are currently directed toward renewable energy, particularly solar. Our newest program, the SunMobile, is a mobile educational unit featuring renewable energy and energy efficiency lessons, and hands-on learning projects. Housed in a compact trailer, the SunMobile will travel to area schools and community events to teach kids (of all ages) about the value, viability, and availability of renewable energy technology, and the importance of energy conservation..

We are also involved in helping area schools incorporate clean energy applications in their buildings. Called "Renewables on Schools," this program is a way to encourage clean energy AND educate our kids!

"Outdoor Classrooms"
Working with the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, and the Poudre School District, TWP created three outdoor "living laboratories" through our Community Resource Protection program. Built close to schools, these natural wetland areas are places where students can see, feel, sense and experience the natural systems within which we all live. Read more about these outdoor classrooms and see slideshows documenting their creation by clicking any of the links on the left.

Community Tree Plantings
Over the years, TWP and our partners have hosted more than 165 volunteer events and planted over 5,000 new trees in northern Larimer County, Colorado, with the help of more than 2,000 community youth and other volunteers. Currently, tree plantings are scheduled in the spring and fall, with a variety of partners including Larimer County Parks and Open Lands, REI, the City of Fort Collins, and Habitat for Humanity.

By encouraging both kids and community members to be part of the planning and building process, TWP helps to instill a feeling of stewardship and responsiblity for our natural environments. Youth take great pride in their contributions, simply by planting a tree. Over time, these trees and new habitats preserve and improve northern Colorado's natural beauty and help us all to stay connected to the natural environment that supports our community and is essential to our long-term physical, emotional and spiritual health.

We see the program as a true win-win situation, because not only do youth gain self-confidence in their roles as community members, but at the same time they also learn about the importance of trees, water, and native species to air quality; water quality and quantity; and natural systems and human health. Youth are the future caretakers of our community and the environment and we enjoy encouraging a sense of civic pride and spirit of participation among our community's youth.

Other Community Resource Protection activities have involved riverbank clean-up and restoration, and a "Save Our Shade" outreach campaign to education the public about caring for their trees during this time of drought.