Parents, climate advocates emphasize equity and inclusivity in ‘greening’ of LAUSD schools [Video]

CUDAHY, Calif. (KABC) — Bertha Terrones says her dream is for her child to have a school with many green spaces. Her child attends Elizabeth Learning Center in Cudahy.

LAUSD ranks the campus 209th among 671 schools on its greening index. Schools with higher rankings are deemed to have a greater need for green space.

Terrones is part of a group of mothers who attend workshops led by the Latino-focused nonprofit Alliance for a Better Community. The workshops are aimed at engaging and empowering parents to get involved in environmental matters.

“Parents want to be active, but they also have to have the confidence to do that,” said Vanessa Aramayo, executive director of Alliance for a Better Community. It is important to meet parents where they are, said Aramayo. “People that are most impacted by issues are the ones that have the best ideas for solutions,” she said.

Dr. Michael Méndez, a UCI Assistant Professor of Environmental Policy and Planning, …