Branches of Hope at the YMCA Earth Service Corps Environmental Symposium
By Yordanos Tesfazion
Tree Equity Network’s “Branches of Hope: The Power of Trees and The Power of You” workshop engages high school students through youth-centered activities that help them better understand the reciprocal care between nature and people. It also teaches students how they can use their voice to advocate for their communities and our planet.
Created by Seattle Parks Foundation’s Program Manager of Urban Climate Resilience Projects Celeste Staples, the Branches of Hope workshop is helpful in introducing young people to environmental advocacy. In particular, the workshop reminds youth that they too can use their voice to advocate for change, on behalf of our trees and their communities, even at school.
What’s the intended takeaway for students?
"I hope this workshop encourages students to look around more, notice and learn about the trees, the tree canopy, and the green space that exists all around them. The goal is to have students notice how nature works together to take care of its inhabitants and try to mirror that in their own lives by work together with their friends, families, neighborhoods, and elected officials to take care of the earth and each other.”
On March 27, 2026, Branches of Hope was presented at the YMCA Earth Service Corps Environmental Symposium for the second year in a row. The symposium takes place every spring in Mary Gates Hall at the University of Washington. High school students from all over the state gather to learn about various environmental topics and develop the skills needed to become stronger leaders in the movement. This year’s theme was “Small action, big impact!”
The symposium kicked off with messages from student Keynote Speakers from Lincoln High School and Nathan Hale High School. Students then attended three workshop sessions. Presentations covered topics related to sustainable mass transit, diversity in the outdoors, the overconsumption of natural resources, and more. Over a dozen organizations were represented at the symposium, including Sound Transit, Braided Seeds, King County Green Schools, Woodland Park Zoo, and our Tree Equity Network partners Birds Connect Seattle.
After the second Branches of Hope workshop session in the afternoon, we had the opportunity to table and connect with students interested in learning more about Tree Equity Network and Seattle Parks Foundation. Educators and other community leaders expressed interest in Branches of Hope, hoping to bring the workshop to their classrooms and events.
Interested in bringing the workshop to your classroom or event? Reach out to celeste@seattleparksfoundation.org!