New Leaf Tree Professionals empowers young people impacted by the carceral system to pursue careers in conservation work. Program participants learn valuable skills in land and water resource management that will prepare them for careers in conservation and climate resilience. We make job training programs accessible and inclusive by supplementing stipends to ensure a living wage, connecting participants to wrap around social services, and building safe community through cohort recruitment. Our program creates an accessible path to high-wage careers that breaks the cycle of recidivism while contributing to the essential work of mitigating climate change impact. The communities most victimized by the carceral system are also disproportionately vulnerable to climate change related disasters. Our work invests in the future leaders of environmental justice movements, centering their communities in crucial decisions and investments.
