Literacy for Environmental Justice (LEJ) is an urban environmental education and youth empowerment organization created specifically to address the unique ecological and social concerns of Bayview Hunters Point, San Francisco, and the surrounding communities of Mission, Potrero Hill, Visitacion Valley, and Excelsior.

LEJ engages urban youth in traditional environmental problems by drawing concrete linkages between the state of human health, the environment, and urban quality of life. Our experiences have taught us that once these inter-relationships are recognized, many young people feel compelled to become involved in the cause of creating a livable city. Students leave our programs with skills and a shared experience of positive and visible work.

The Heron Head Park (HHP) Program is an environmental / ecological science and land stewardship program aimed at the K-12 students of the Bayview / Hunter / Point district. The HHP Program is an innovative experiential education program that engages student volunteers in park stewardship activities including:

• Environmental Monitoring
• Natural History
• Plant and Wildlife Conservation, and
• Park Maintenance

Heron Head Park (Pier 98) is located at the Intersection of Cargo Way and Jennings St. in San Francisco / Bayview District.

All LEJ programs are free to public school and youth groups. We follow the standard project-based learning format:

• A project planning meeting with teachers and students
• An in-class lesson(s) to place the focused issue in context
• Field research / investigations
• An action project
• Evaluation

This methodology enables students to explore challenging social and environmental issues while they learn that they can do something to improve our world right now. Projects may last anywhere from a week to a year. Students and teachers report that they complete our programs with a deeper understanding of the complex issues facing urban communities, and with a greater sense that they can be actively involved in improving the quality of life and environment of our city.

Heron's Head Park:
Wetlands Ecology and Restoration -- Educational and Community Programs