"Akoma Unity Center’s 5th Annual Earth Day & Family Celebration is a hands on, volunteer powered climate action project designed to advance community greening, organic waste reduction, recycling education, and STEM gardening education through Hydroponics and Aquaponics, in alignment with the California Climate Action Corps’ priority actions for measurable climate outcomes. This year’s Earth Day Event centers on transforming shared outdoor spaces through climate positive activities that increase green cover, improve soil health, reduce landfill waste, and educate residents on sustainable practices. Volunteers of all ages and partnering organizations will participate in multiple climate impact stations that promote ecological stewardship and long term environmental behavior change. The project includes four core climate action pillars: 1. Community Greening & Habitat Restoration 2. Organic Waste Reduction & Composting Education 3. Waste Reduction & Recycling Demonstrations 4. STEM Gardening Education: Hydroponics & Aquaponics for Sustainable Growing These actions directly align with the microgrant requirement to conduct climate service projects with defined volunteer roles and measurable outcomes. Anticipated Climate Outcomes 1. Increased Green Space and Carbon Sequestration: Volunteers will plant native plants, fruit trees, and pollinator friendly species that expand green cover, sequester carbon, reduce heat island effect, and improve local air quality. 2. Reduced Organic Waste Sent to Landfills: By diverting yard waste and food scraps through composting demonstrations, the event will reduce methane producing organic waste in landfills and strengthen community wide waste diversion practices. 3. Improved Community Recycling Habits: Recycling education, sorting activities, and demonstration stations will reduce contamination rates and help families adopt sustainable household waste management practices. 4. Increased Knowledge of Sustainable Food Production: Through hydroponics and aquaponics demonstrations, families will learn climate friendly growing techniques that reduce water use, improve food resilience, and provide alternatives to soil based agriculture—supporting long term sustainability behaviors. These outcomes reinforce the statewide call for Californians to take everyday climate actions within their communities. Volunteer Tasks to Be Accomplished A. Community Greening & Garden Restoration • Plant native species, fruit trees, and pollinator plants • Build raised garden beds to expand Akoma’s teaching garden • Restore existing garden areas, remove invasive weeds, and apply mulch • Prepare soil using compost and climate friendly materials • Beautify public facing spaces to increase environmental resilience B. Organic Waste Reduction & Composting Stations • Sort food scraps and green waste for composting • Demonstrate proper composting techniques to families • Process compostable materials to enrich soil used in garden areas • Educate participants about reducing landfill waste through daily habits C. Waste Reduction & Recycling Demonstrations • Facilitate hands on recycling demonstrations • Guide families in identifying recyclable vs. non recyclable materials • Lead interactive learning activities on waste sorting and reuse • Manage recycling and waste collection stations for event efficiency D. STEM Gardening Education: Hydroponics & Aquaponics • Demonstrate how hydroponic and aquaponic systems function • Assist youth and families in assembling small scale demo units • Explain water saving and soil free benefits of sustainable growing • Guide participants in planting starter seedlings in hydroponic systems • Support data collection activities (water levels, pH, plant growth) to introduce STEM inquiry skills"