The Boston Environmental Network encompasses three subnetworks: K-12 Education, Out of School Time and Youth Employment. Each of these operates individually to improve communication, coordination and access to resources among network members. More information on each subnetwork can be found by clicking on the links below or in the left hand column.
K-12 Education - BEN's K-12 subnetwork is a group of organizations dedicated to advancing environmental literacy and stewardship. We speak with a single voice to inform policy. We work together to develop relationships, strategies, opportunities and resources by informing and partnering with teachers, families, children, policy makers and each other.
Youth Employment - young people need access to meaningful experiences and employment that help improve the quality of life in their local communities and lead to long-term career opportunities. Quality environmental jobs help to prepare young people for pursuing post-secondary education, entering the workforce and taking care of the environment around them. In addition, green jobs provide youth with a productive way to contribute to society and earn income while learning lifelong skills and making cities healthier, safer places to live.
The Youth Employment subnetwork brings together youth development organizations, environmental non-profits and private industry, high schools and higher education, job training programs, youth employment intermediaries and government agencies around the shared goal of increasing the quality and quantity of environmental job opportunities for young people (14-24 year olds) in the Boston area. We offer an up-to-date directory of Youth Opportunities for the Fall, Winter/Spring, and Summer. BEN also sponsors environmental job fairs, youth summits, and supervisor trainings, as well as workshops for environmental professionals working with young people. Network meetings provide an opportunity for members to come together face-to-face to discuss shared challenges and plan for network initiatives.
Out of School Time - we recognize that much learning takes place outside of the traditional school day and plan to offer opportunities for OST practitioners providing environmental learning experiences a forum for connecting and sharing resources with one another. At this time, the OST subnetwork is not yet formed. Please check back for updates and consider tapping into other existing networks both within BEN and in organizations such as Boston After School & Beyond and Massachusetts Environmental Education Society (MEES).