Civic Education

 

“Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right...and a desire to know.”
— John Adams
 

 

Landscape Next Door is committed to mobilizing the next generation of activists, organizers, and community leaders. Our civic education workshop provides interactive, innovative, and informative programming on the political process which includes:

  • local, state, and federal offices,

  • political parties,

  • branches of government

  • voter registration,

  • grassroots organizing,

  • lobbying,

  • running for office.

“Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you. ”
— Pericles

Photograph by Santosh Shanmuga

“The hero is one who kindles a great light in the world, who sets up blazing torches in the dark streets of life for men to see by. The saint is the man who walks through the dark paths of the world, himself a light.”
— Felix Adler

Free and open to the public, Landscape Next Door places emphasis on urban areas where voter turnout and citizen participation are low. By motivating, inspiring, and empowering young, low-income, and minority populations to get involved in the political process, Landscape Next Door hopes to address inequality, voter suppression, and instances of low civic participation. If your organization is interested in hosting a workshop, please fill out the contact form below.

 

 

Environmentalism

“One of the most important lessons we can glean from the environmental movement is to ‘think globally and act locally.”
— Mike Love
 

 

Where does an individual end and his or her environment begin? Who amongst us are the most vulnerable to extreme weather patterns? Who amongst us are the most resilient and will barely be impacted? Are certain groups or areas disproportionately impacted by environmental disasters or dangers? Are there any solutions that will minimize further damage? What level of change is required to adapt to said damage or the changes in the environment?

“The environment is everything that isn’t me.”
— Albert Einstein

Photograph by Santosh Shanmuga

“Sadly, it’s much easier to create a desert than a forest.”
— James Lovelock

 

Landscape Next Door seeks to educate people about the interconnectivity between human behavior and the environment. Through research, education, and activism, we aim to provide community-specific solutions. Our goals include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Educating people on the relationship between human behavior and the environment;

  • Promoting sustainable practices;

  • Researching and proposing innovative environmentally sustainable solutions to community specific problems;

  • Retrofitting existing buildings for energy and sustainability improvements;

  • Educating people on vulnerability, resilience, sustainability and adaptation that results from extreme weather patterns;

  • Researching the impact of weather on urban development and infrastructure.

“Plans to protect air and water, wilderness and wildlife are in fact plans to protect man.”
— Stewart Udall

 

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Mentorship

“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you.”
— Bob Proctor
 
 
 

 

Our mentorship program seeks to facilitate, encourage, and enhance the personal and professional development of individuals through the sharing of knowledge, experience and expertise.

 

 

 

Landscape Next Door is committed to motivating, inspiring, and empowering urban youth through authentic connections with professional mentors who share similar interests. Mentors spend at least 8 hours per month one-to-one participating in activities of their choice in the community. By investing in the future of underprivileged young adults, we aim to:

  • encourage critical thinking,

  • provide professional development,

  • fund afterschool programs and extracurricular activities,

  • facilitate college preparation,

  • teach financial literacy

  • help navigate community, and legal resources.

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.”
— Plutarch