On Saturday, August 24, something truly transformative happened in the lush, serene park of Franklin Canyon, Los Angeles. Leah Thomas, a celebrated environmental justice activist, co-created a nature workshop that brought together a group of Latina teens from Chicas Verdes, a student group that connects youth of color to nature. The event, in partnership with HAWKs (Hiking Adventures With Kids), took these teens on a powerful journey through nature—complete with hiking, foraging, poetry, and meaningful discussions about food and environmental justice.
It was a day that invited the girls to look beyond the daily challenges of growing up in underserved communities and experience nature’s healing power firsthand. As the teens trekked through the greenery, journaled their thoughts, and reflected on their connection with the earth, they weren’t just engaging in an outdoor activity—they were planting seeds of resilience and empowerment.
A Day of Learning and Connection in Nature
The event started with an introduction to the park’s diverse ecosystem. Educators from HAWKs engaged the teens by sharing insights on the native flora and fauna of Southern California, emphasizing how the local environment shapes the world they live in. As they made their way through Franklin Canyon’s trails, participants were met with little surprises along the way—spotting turtles swimming in the lake, searching for animals, and learning about the delicate balance of nature around them.
Beyond the physical journey, this was a reflective one as well. Poetry and journaling sessions encouraged the teens to express themselves, connect their emotions to their surroundings, and reflect on the social and environmental challenges faced by their communities. Leah Thomas, a guiding force throughout the day, led discussions on environmental justice, the importance of food equity, and how these issues intersect with their own lives.
“Chicas Verdes is an incredible program that connects youth of color in California to the world of gardening and nature,” said Leah Thomas. “There’s inequity in which communities have access to green spaces to recreate, and Chicas Verdeshelps close that gap, empowering a new generation of students to build an intentional relationship with Mother Earth.”
Support from Partners Who Care
The day was made even more special with generous sponsorships from wellness and outdoor brands including Vita Coco, Sweetgreen, Parks Project, and REI. Each sponsor played a role in enhancing the experience for these teens. Leah Thomas incorporated Vita Coco’s Seedlings for Sustainability initiative into her workshop, while REI provided hiking essentials for the girls and outfitted Leah herself. The teens also enjoyed delicious meals from Sweetgreen, fueling their day of exploration and connection.
By bringing in these beloved wellness brands, the day was elevated beyond a simple nature hike. The teens walked away with gear and tools for future outdoor adventures, as well as knowledge on how brands can contribute to sustainability and social impact.
What It Means for the Future of Environmental Justice
For Chicas Verdes, this event was not just about one day in nature—it was part of a larger mission to empower Latina teens living below the poverty line by giving them access to green spaces and environmental education. Many of these girls rarely have opportunities to connect with nature in such an intimate way, and through programs like this, they’re gaining a deeper understanding of the environment and their role in protecting it.
As Bari Applebaum, the co-leader of Chicas Verdes, emphasized, “Connecting youth to nature and gardening fosters a sense of ownership and pride in their environment. By teaching them to grow their own food and care for the land, we are not only reconnecting them to nature but also giving them tools to make tangible changes in their lives and communities.”
This event was a clear example of how a day spent in nature can transform lives. It’s a movement that goes beyond hiking or foraging—it’s about reshaping the narrative for young women of color, providing them the skills, confidence, and awareness to advocate for their communities and the planet.
A Final Thought
With the success of this event, it’s clear that empowering young people through nature is more than just a noble idea—it’s a necessary mission. The HAWKs organization is pioneering a movement to help youth trade screen time for the outdoors, offering an alternative to the sedentary, tech-driven lifestyles so many teens are trapped in today. As Emma from HAWKs shared, “At HAWKs, we’re focused on giving kids an alternative to screens—engaging them in fulfilling outdoor activities and encouraging teamwork, communication, and a love for nature.”
The Franklin Canyon hike was an embodiment of that mission, showing that when young people step away from their screens and into nature, they don’t just see the world differently—they start to see themselves differently too.
For more information on the next Chicas Verdes or HAWKs event, or to learn more about environmental justice for teens in LA, visit their websites.
The event was sponsored by beloved wellness and outdoor brands Vita Coco, Sweetgreen, Parks Project, and REI. Leah incorporated VitaCoco’s Seedlings for Sustainability initiative into her workshop
About Leah Thomas
A celebrated environmentalist, founder of the non-profit, Intersectional Environmentalist, and author of The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet
Photo credits: Courtesy of HAWK’s Kids
