Giving Tuesday: Support Our Brockton Youth Programs

UPDATE: Thanks to your generosity, we have raised $2,200 for our Brockton youth programs. There’s still time to help us meet our $5,000 goal! In addition to your annual giving, please consider supporting this campaign to build the next generation of environmental leaders.

There are so many causes worthy of your attention this Giving Tuesday and holiday season. Many charities give prospective donors one of two options: drive meaningful change today or make a lasting impact for the future. At Wildlands Trust, we ask: why not both? 

By design, our work delivers both immediate and long-term benefits to the people and wildlife of Southeastern Massachusetts. We only invest in solutions that endure across landscapes and generations because we simply cannot afford to lose progress toward our vision of a healthy, beautiful, diverse, equitable, and resilient region for all. 

Land protection is our highest-profile example of this strategy. But to truly realize and sustain our vision, we must always have people with the knowledge, skills, and passion to steward and advocate for our shared natural spaces. We can ensure this by providing youth with opportunities to explore nature early and often. 

For over 10 years, Wildlands Trust has cultivated the next generation of local conservation leaders by engaging Brockton-area youth in community service and environmental learning. The Brockton High School Outdoor Club, formerly known as the Envirothon Team, is an after-school program that inspires students to explore nature and solve environmental problems together. In the summer, Brockton-area teens can pursue their interest in conservation through Green Team, a paid service-learning program primarily at D.W. Field Park. Both programs are co-led by Wildlands and Manomet Conservation Sciences. (Click here for a Green Team 2025 recap.) 

The impact of these programs is best told by the participants themselves. In a post-program survey, this summer’s Green Team members shared how the experience provided them with an immediate sense of accomplishment and an enduring sense of purpose: 

“It had a big influence on what I wanted to do. It made me want to pursue a career in something involving the outdoors.” 

“I was most proud of making my community cleaner and better for others. Hopefully it sets an example for others around me.” 

“I learned to be brave, resilient, and a bit more outgoing.” 

This Giving Tuesday, please consider donating in support of our Brockton youth programs. Our goal is to raise $5,000. Together, we can expand our investment in the next generation of environmental leaders, for the benefit of us all.