Empowering Youth: From Learners to Leaders through Community Asset Mapping

Erin Boyd, University of Arizona

16th Annual Arizona Space Grant Consortium Symposium

April 18, 2009

Acknowledgements

• Pascua Yaqui Tribe– Intel Computer Clubhouse Youth– Mario Valencia, Coordinator

• United Way

• UA Office of Arid Lands Studies– Arizona Remote Sensing Center– Dr. Barron Orr, Mentor– Kristin Wisneski, Graduate Student– Jennifer Stanley, Lila Burgos and Stefanie

Woodward, Space Grant Interns

Office of Arid

Lands Studies

Background

• What is ‘youth-driven community asset mapping’?

• Civic engagement

• Last year’s transportation project

• The Amazing Rez Race

Statement of the Problem• Close the large gap between youth and environment

– Pascua Yaqui have traditions tied to the environment– History has contributed to a more urban experience,

particularly among PY youth

• Tortuga Ranch– Purchased by PY in part to establish natural areas– 20,000(?) acres 15 miles west of New Pascua

• The Challenge– Ranching across generations– Non-utilization of the tribe’s natural resources– Limited experience and expertise

Objectives• Empower youth in multiple ways, leading them to:

– Identify their concerns/isssue– Learn methods/tools to address there issue– Conduct research (data collection, analysis,

interpretation)– Present results to civic leaders

• Reconnect the youth to their roots in the environment– Through technology and hands-on experience

• Incorporate Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM)– Ecology, Range management, GIS, Planning, etc.

Conceptual Approach

Youth-driven Community Asset Mapping

Civic Engagement STEM Learning

NASA Data(context)

Training(Treasure Hunt)

Skills - Technology

STEM – Behind Technology

Problem Solving

Presentation

GIS(Data analysis)

Issue/QuestionIdentification

Methods• We facilitate the process, but youth drive it• We train the trainers!

– Four “young adult” leaders

• We introduce tools in response to needs:– Global Positioning System (GPS)– Geographic Information Systems (GIS)– NASA imagery (via Google Maps and Earth)

• Motivation comes from the youth themselves:– Amazing Rez Race II– Empire Ranch field trip– Initial field trip to Tortuga Ranch

Youth Devised a Research Plan

Youth Obtained Field Experience• Opportunity to visit a

working ranch• Run by Mac

Donaldson, whose father once ranched the Tortuga

• Jeff Williamson, Phoenix Zoo helped teach basic ecology

• Youth had first-hand field experience.

Empire Ranch, Sonoita, AZ

Photo courtesy of the Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse

Youth Obtained Field Experience

• Visited Tortuga Ranch for the 1st time

• Youth were able to see first-hand the problems the ranch faces

Initial Tortuga Ranch Field Visit

Photo courtesy of the Pascua Yaqui Clubhouse

Next Steps

• Tortuga Ranch project is ongoing & will continue in the summer

• NRCS

• Student Reports

• One week field camp

Thank you!

The Satellite Krew: Ashley, Maribel, Albert, Dominic, Issac, Michael, Estephan, Mario, Gilbert, Juan, Melissa, Astrid, Martin

The Satellite Krew