Gianna Lourenco, Youth Education Coordinator, and Tristan Corona, Green Infrastructure Manager, represented the Woonasquatucket River Watershed Council (WRWC) at the 2024 Restore America’s Estuaries (RAE) Coastal & Estuarine Summit in Washington, D.C. The summit brought together over 300 participants from around the world, ranging from seasoned policymakers to early-career environmental professionals, to discuss innovative solutions for protecting our coasts. Held along the Anacostia River in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this five-day event immersed attendees in hands-on workshops, networking, and shared learning, connecting voices from coast to coast.
Spotlighting Environmental Justice and Youth Leadership
For Lourenco and Corona, the summit’s highlight was joining the panel Empowering New Leaders in Environmental Justice Communities. Here, alongside peers from Groundwork Rhode Island and Groundwork South Coast, they discussed their experiences addressing environmental issues in Southeast New England, where small coastal cities have felt the impacts of industrialization, commerce, and pollution. They spoke about WRWC’s work to reverse these legacies—through urban greening, creating community gardens, and restoring parks—and shared how they engage youth in these efforts.
Lourenco noted, “Climate change and anxiety affect us all across every generation. We’re teaching young people to ask questions, ask for help, and get outside.” She and Corona illustrated how WRWC’s programs equip local youth with skills to become environmental stewards, while addressing real challenges in their neighborhoods. By developing urban spaces that soak up rain, reduce flooding, and combat pollution, WRWC is creating lasting solutions for our communities.
Partnering with RAE for a National Impact
As part of the RAE network, WRWC contributes to a nationwide movement to protect and restore coastal habitats. Restore America’s Estuaries works with partner organizations across the U.S. to promote projects like wetland restoration, removal of invasive species, and replanting native vegetation. Through their collaboration, WRWC and RAE are helping create stronger communities that are better equipped to face environmental challenges.