Green Corps alumnus Sam Goldman.

Sam Goldman: Protecting California’s Wild Places
As the California Wilderness Coordinator for The Wilderness Society, Sam Goldman, Green Corps Class of 2004, is managing statewide efforts to protect public lands in California. Founded in 1935, The Wilderness Society works to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to enjoy the clean air, water and wildlife that pristine wilderness areas provide.

As in many states, California’s public land is threatened by development, oil and gas drilling and global warming. Environmental groups are working to protect pristine and ecologically important lands by designating millions of acres as wilderness—the government’s highest form of land protection. Sam’s work takes him across California, meeting with elected officials, volunteers and activists to chart a course that will protect the public lands in the state.

Currently, Sam is focused on passing legislation through Congress that will designate 200,000 acres of wilderness in Joshua Tree National Park and surrounding areas.

Green Corps alumna Heather Smith.

Heather Smith: Rocking The Vote In 2008
If the 2008 primary season was any indication, the power of the youth vote in America is growing. Green Corps can proudly boast that one of its own has been at the forefront of this new youth voter movement. Heather Smith, Green Corps Class of 1999, has been working on youth voting issues since 2004.

Now, as the executive director of Rock the Vote, Heather is mobilizing young people to create positive social and political change in their lives and communities. She has initiated a near-complete overhaul of Rock the Vote’s operation—growing the organization and making Rock the Vote a major player in registration, engagement and get-out-the-vote efforts. The results have been immediate. The much-anticipated Iowa caucuses featured three times as many young participants as four years ago, and more 18- to 30-year-olds voted in this primary season than ever before.

Most importantly, Heather shifted the focus at Rock the Vote to ensure that their work does not end when the polls close. They are empowering youth to stay engaged in the political process, whether it is signing petitions about issues of concern to young people, contacting elected officials or holding officials accountable.


On behalf of the entire Green Corps team, I would like to thank you for your support. Your support makes it possible for us to train organizers to make an impact on critical environmental campaigns. I look forward to sharing more stories with you in the future about the work our trainees and alumni are doing to make a difference for all of us!

Sincerely,

Cindy Kang
Executive Director