Young Leaders Bring Environmental Learning to Life at Green Fest

At Raíces del Canal’s Green Fest in June 2026, students stepped into the role of teachers, welcoming the community to San Rafael’s Pickleweed Park for a celebration of learning, creativity, and connection.

Students become community educators

The Raíces del Canal class created exhibits to teach visitors about ecosystems. By sharing what they had learned, students invited neighbors to explore the relationships between living things and the environments they call home. The exhibits gave young people a chance to practice something powerful: using their knowledge and voices to engage their community.

Learning through participation

That spirit of exchange extended throughout the festival. Students collaborated with other groups, plants were given out, and visitors had opportunities to learn sewing. Live music brought another layer of energy to a day built around bringing people together.

Each activity offered a different way to participate. A visitor could discover something about an ecosystem, try a creative skill, or take home a plant to nurture. Together, these experiences connected environmental learning with everyday acts of care.

Watch Green Fest come to life

The next generation takes the lead

Green Fest reflected the work at the heart of Raíces del Canal: helping young people strengthen their connection to the land, their community, and their own ability to lead.

At Pickleweed Park, students put that work into practice. They helped create a gathering where learning was shared openly and neighbors could connect through curiosity, creativity, and celebration.

One class of students helped bring a community together—and showed how much can grow when young people have opportunities to lead.