TNC ME Campaign Impact Report 2024 - Flipbook - Page 8
CLIMATE & COMMUNITY
THE HEALING POWER OF TREES
“To cultivate leaders who fear less, love more, and dream big, boldly shaping the future and creating communities
united across lines of difference.” That’s the vision of the Lewiston-based nonprofit Tree Street Youth—and it’s just
what our planet needs, too.
TNC recognizes that meeting our climate action goals requires building relationships with more partners—especially
youth, the scientists and leaders of tomorrow. That’s why we’re partnering with organizations like Tree Street.
Since 2019, Tree Street and TNC have been partnering to connect youth with the natural world. This started with an
overnight camping trip, nature-based community service projects on trails at TNC’s Mount Tom Preserve, and a day
trip to TNC’s Saco Heath Preserve for a scavenger hunt that helped participants learn about native plant and tree species.
These initial experiences, while incredibly successful, highlighted the reality that feeling safe in natural environments,
both physically and emotionally, can be elusive for those with less experience and access. From there, TNC
supported a three-day wilderness first aid training course for Tree Street staff and other young leaders from across
the state. Next came a new program called Leaf Leaders, which provides training and opportunities for young people
to explore nature and learn about climate change and the world of conservation.
“This partnership with TNC really solidified for us to make nature-based experiences a central core to our healing
approaches with youth and staff,” says Julia Sleeper-Whiting, founder and executive director of Tree Street.
“Watching the energy our kids have when fishing or kayaking or just wading in a lake for the first time is truly
amazing. I was with one group of boys running and jumping through the woods on a recent camping trip and
suggested that they slow down a little bit, and one exclaimed, ‘But how? This is the most fun we’ve ever had!’”
