Community Greening
Environmental justice is woven through everything we do.
Discovery Pathways works alongside youth, families, and community partners to improve the health of our parks, waterways, and neighborhoods. Many of the communities we serve face long standing environmental burdens including dumping, litter, polluted waterways, and limited access to safe green spaces. Our programs focus on hands on action, education, and advocacy led by youth.
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Youth and community members lead regular park and neighborhood cleanups, removing thousands of pounds of trash each year from FDR Park and surrounding communities. Youth also lead storm drain marking, helping residents understand how litter and dumping directly impact local waterways and drinking water. Outreach is multilingual and designed to meet families where they are.
Scientific water testing is a core part of our work. Youth are trained to test for bacteria and other indicators of water quality and collect data over many weeks. This hands on science helps youth and families better understand local waterways, combined sewer systems, and the connection between environmental health and community health. Data is shared with partners and used to advocate for cleaner water and expanded access to waterways.
Discovery Pathways also creates space for dialogue and advocacy. Youth present at community meetings, town halls, and events with local leaders and city agencies, sharing what they learn and calling for cleaner, safer, and more equitable communities. Families are supported to engage in these conversations through translated materials, trusted community leaders, and accessible events.
Through cleanups, water testing, education, and youth led advocacy, Discovery Pathways helps build healthier neighborhoods while empowering the next generation of environmental leaders to create lasting change.
What We Do
- Lead regular community and park cleanups with youth and families
- Remove litter and illegal dumping from FDR Park and nearby neighborhoods
- Train youth in scientific water testing and watershed science
- Mark storm drains with multilingual education on water pollution
- Support youth led advocacy for cleaner, safer, and more equitable communities
Our Impact
- 5,400+ pounds of trash removed from parks and communities in 2025
- 30 community and park clean ups each year
- 350 storm drains marked with environmental education
- Translated outreach flyers and digital campaigns to help diverse families access nature, get resources, and support their communities to be cleaner and greener
- 18 weeks of scientific water testing led by youth
- Youth helped lead programs reaching 19,000+ community members
- Youth present to local funders, leaders, and community. Youth lead a movement to advocate for cleaner communities, safer parks, more water access, and solutions to environmental justice problems they identify
- Outreach and education provided in 7+ languages
Through cleanups, water testing, education, and youth led advocacy, Discovery Pathways supports healthier communities while empowering young people to take action for environmental justice.
We teach environmental stewardship through hands on lessons such as invasive species clean up and scientific water testing.
Food Access
Discovery Pathways grows food in urban gardens and underused spaces, providing fresh produce directly to families in need. We also distribute food from local farms and donors, connect families to hunger programs, and support home gardeners with free seeds, plants, and training with language access and community support
Grow.
Distribute.
Support.
