EAGLE Club will rejuvenate the conservation movement by ensuring that people from all ethnicities and socio-economic backgrounds care for and protect the natural environment. Youth participants will develop a deep love and appreciation for nature, and will continue to connect with nature for the rest of their lives. The increased exposure to nature will benefit participants’ long-term mental, physical and spiritual health. By providing opportunities that have been historically denied to them, youth of color will be empowered to become active in their communities as stewards and advocates. Some youth will be inspired to pursue environmental careers. In addition, EAGLE Club will help close the achievement gap by improving scientific literacy and test scores amongst underserved urban youth of color. EAGLE Club will ultimately result in the incorporation of outdoor environmental science and stewardship clubs in afterschool programs throughout Boston.
