Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program

Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Program Leadership Program
Explore Washington. Create Change.

Roots of Resilience is a paid environmental justice leadership program for Black and BIPOC high school youth in Washington State. Over nine months, a small cohort travels the state together, learns what climate change is doing close to home, and builds the tools to do something about it.

🗓️ October 2026 through June 2027 · 9-month cohort
💰 $900 stipend
🎒 Gear, supplies, and a park pass included
📍 Registration closes September 11, 2026

What You'll Do
🍃 Monthly outdoor adventures across Washington State
🍃 Monthly virtual sessions, one weekday a month for 90 minutes
🍃 At least one Saturday a month in the field
🍃 Build your own Climate Resilience Toolkit
🍃 Learn how community projects and advocacy actually happen
🍃 See environmental justice in action

Places You'll Explore
🐟 Rattlesnake Lake · Discover where your drinking water begins and how forests protect our climate
🏔️ Mount Rainier National Park · See the shrinking glaciers on the Nisqually Vista Trail
🌱 Washaway Beach · Bear witness to one of the fastest eroding beaches in the world

Who This Is For
Black and BIPOC high school youth. No outdoor experience needed. If you have never camped, hiked, or spent much time outside, you belong in this cohort just as much as anyone else.

Before You Begin
Spots are limited, and we will follow up with everyone who registers after the deadline. A parent or guardian will need to complete the guardian, emergency contact, medical, and waiver sections unless the Youth Participant is 18 or older.
- Youth Participant Full Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Youth Participant Pronouns
- Youth Participant Birthdate
  
  MonthDayYear
  Date
- Youth Participant Age
- Is the Youth Participant 18 or older?
- Youth Participant Grade Level in School 2026-2027
- What school does the Youth Participant attend?
- Youth Participant Email
  example@example.com
- Youth Participant Phone Number
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Youth Participant Zip Code
- Youth Participant T-shirt Size
- Youth Participant Boot Size
- Youth Participant Jacket Size
- Youth Participant Pant Size
- Race and ethnicity (select all that the Youth Participant identifies with)
- If "Prefer to self-describe" was selected, please describe.
- Braided Seeds provides participants with outdoor gear to keep. What gear would be most useful to you? Examples: rain jacket, hiking boots, backpack, trekking poles, etc.
- What is your relationship with the outdoors right now? This could be hiking and camping, or it could be the park down the street that you go to, a garden, a porch, the water, or somewhere you go to think. Are there activities you feel nervous about? Knowing this helps our staff offer the right encouragement and support throughout the program. There is no amount of experience you need to have to belong in this cohort.
- Have you seen the impacts of climate change in our region before? If so, what have you noticed?
- If you had the people and resources to change one thing about your neighborhood or community, what would it be? Part of this program is building your Climate Resilience Toolkit and learning how community projects and advocacy actually happen. Start us off with what is on your mind.
- Is there something you feel especially excited to see or explore? This year the cohort will visit places like Rattlesnake Lake, where our drinking water begins, Mount Rainier National park to see the shrinking glaciers on the Nisqually Vista Trail, and Washaway Beach, one of the fastest eroding beaches in the world. Anything on that list calling to you, or somewhere else in Washington you have been wanting to go?
- Nine months from now, in June 2027, what do you hope is different for you? A skill, a place you will have visited, a way you feel in the outdoors, something you have built. Whatever comes to mind.
- Have you been part of anything with Braided Seeds before? A day trip, an overnight retreat, a community event, or receiving a Discover Pass all count. Tell us what it was and roughly when. If this is your first time with us, write "first time" and we will be glad to meet you!
- Youth Participant Availability & Commitment
- This program runs October 2026 through June 2027. The cohort meets one weekday a month for a 90-minute virtual session and at least one Saturday a month for up to a full-day outdoor adventure. Consistent attendance is what makes the cohort work, and the $900 stipend is tied to participation.
- Looking at the schedule, is there anything that would keep you from showing up consistently?
- If you said yes, tell us more so we can plan around it. If no, write "N/A".
- Which weekday evenings generally work best for you?
- Do you have reliable transportation to and from meeting locations?
- Is there anything else we should know about your availability?
- Name of Guardian
  
  First NameLast Name
- Relationship to Youth Participant
- Guardian Email
  example@example.com
- Guardian Phone Number
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Is this Parent/Guardian first Emergency Contact?
- Emergency Contact #1
- Emergency Contact #1 Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Emergency Contact #1 Relationship to Youth Participant
- Emergency Contact #1 Email
  example@example.com
- Emergency Contact #1 Phone Number
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Emergency Contact #2
- Emergency Contact #2 Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Emergency Contact #2 Relationship to Youth Participant
- Emergency Contact #2 Email
  example@example.com
- Emergency Contact #2 Phone Number
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Preferred Hospital
- Medical Insurance Provider
- Medical Insurance Policy
- Primary Physician's Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Primary Physician's Practice Name
- Primary Physician's Phone Number
  Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.
- Date of Last Physical Exam
  
  MonthDayYear
  Date
- Does this participant have any dietary needs? (ex: gluten free, no peanuts, etc.) If there is nothing to share, please write "N/A".
- Does this participant have any prescribed medication(s)? (ex: inhaler, EpiPen, etc.) If there is nothing to share, please write "N/A".
- Does this participant have any accessibility needs or necessary accommodations? (ex: fragrance free, etc.) If there is nothing to share, please write "N/A".
- Does this participant have any behavioral needs to be aware of? (ex: bedwetting, sensory needs, etc.) If there is nothing to share, please write "N/A".
- Is there anything you would like or staff to know about the Youth Participant's mental health? This might include anxiety, past or current challenges, things that can help them feel safe and supported, or how they respond to stress, etc. Sharing this will help our team support them well throughout the program. If there is nothing to share, please write "N/A".
- Are there any questions for us?
- Release of Liability
- Name of Youth Participant
  
  First NameLast Name
- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - THIS AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
  
  In exchange for participation in the Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program organized by Braided Seeds, of PO Box 58512 Tukwila, WA 98138 and/or use of the property, facilities and services of Braided Seeds, I agree for myself and (if applicable) for the members of my family, to the following:
  
  1. AGREEMENT TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. I agree to observe and obey all posted rules and warnings, and further agree to follow any oral instructions or directions given by Braided Seeds, or the employees, representatives or agents of Braided Seeds.
  
  2. ASSUMPTION OF THE RISKS AND RELEASE. I recognize that there are certain inherent risks associated with the above described activity and I assume full responsibility for personal injury to myself and (if applicable) my family members, and further release and discharge Braided Seeds for injury, loss or damage arising out of my family or my family's use of presence upon the facilities of Braided Seeds, whether caused by the fault of myself, my family, Braided Seeds or third parties.
  
  3. INDEMNIFICATION. I agree to indemnify and defent Braided Seeds against all claims, causes of action, damages, judgements, costs or expenses, including attorney fees and other litigation costs, which may in any way arise from my or my family's use of or presence upon the facilities of Braided Seeds.
  
  4. FEES. I agree to pay for all damages to the facilities of Braided Seeds caused by any negligent, reckless, or willful actions by me or my family.
  
  5. CONSENT. I, the parent or legal guardian named in this electronic form, consent to the participation of the minor participant(s) named in this form, who is/are my [relationship as provided in this form], in Braided Seeds' Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program. On behalf of the named minor participant(s), I agree to all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement. By signing this Release of Liability, I represent that I have legal authority over and custody of the minor participant(s) named in this electronic form.
  
  6. MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION. In the event of an injurty to the above minor(s) during the above described activities, I give my permission to Braided Seeds or to the employees, representatitves or agents of Braided Seeds to arrange for all necessary medical treatment for which I shall be financially responsible. This temporary authority will begin at the start of the Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program from October 2026 through June 2027, and will remain in effect until terminated in writing by the undersigned or when the minor(s) no longer particpate in the Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program, whichever occurs first.
  
  Braided Seeds shall have the following powers:
  
  The power to seek appropriate medical treatment or attention on behalf of my child as may be required by the circumstances, inclduing without limitation, that of a licensed medical physician and/or a hospital;
  
  The power to authorize medical treatment or medical procedures in an emergency situation; and
  
  The power to make appropriate decisions regarding clothing, bodily nourishment and shelter.
  
  7. APPLICABLE LAW. Any legal or equitable claim that may arise from participation in the above shall be resolved under Washington law.
  
  8. NO DURESS. I agree and acknowledge that I am under no pressure or duress to sign this Agreement and that I have been given a reasonable opportunity to review it before signing. I further agree and acknowledge that I am free to have my own legal counsel review this Agreement if I so desire. I further agree and acknowledge that Braided Seeds has offered to refund any fees I have paid to use its facilities if I choose not to sign this Agreement.
  
  9. ARM'S LENGTH AGREEMENT. This Agreement and each of its terms are the product of an arm's length negotiation between the Parties. In the event any ambiguity is found to exist in the interpreation of this Agreement, or any of its provisions, the Parties, and each of them, explicitly reject the application of any legal or equitable rule of interpretation which would lead to a construction either "for" or "against" a particular party based upon their status as the drafter or a specific term, language, or provision giving rise to ambiguity.
  
  10. ENFORCEABILITY. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement, whether standing alone or as applied to a particular occurrence or circumstance, shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement or of any other applications of such provision, as the case may be, and such invalid or unenforceable provision shall be deemed not to be a part of this Agreement.
  
  11. EMERGENCY CONTACT. In case of an emergency, the provided emergency contact and/or listed Guardian for the participant will be called.
  
  I HAVE READ THIS DOCUMENT AND UNDERSTAND IT. I FURTHER UNDERSTAND THAT BY SIGNING THIS RELEASE, I VOLUNTARILY SURRENDER CERTAIN LEGAL RIGHTS.
  
  By electronically signing and providing your full name and zip code at the end of this registration form, you are signing a contract to release Braided Seeds of liability for the Roots of Resiliance: Paid Environmental Justice Leadership Program.
- Parent/Guardian Full Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Parent/Guardian Signature
- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY - THIS AFFECTS YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS
  
  I understand that photos, videos, and audio recordings of my youth participant(s) listed in this registration form will be taken during the event.
  
  I also understand that Braided Seeds would like the opportunity to share this media featuring my youth participant(s) listed in this registration form for education/field-building and/or marketing efforts for Braided Seeds but will only do so if I grant a full media release.
  
  I am also aware that Braided Seeds creates private photo albums to share media amongst staff through Google Photos.
  
  I agree to only publicly share media from the private albums that solely feature my youth participant(s) listed in this registration form or will seek explicit permission from the families of any other youth featured in media I wish to share outside of the private albums.
  
  By electronically signing this media release, you are consenting that you are comfortable with and affirm your understanding of this policy.
- Parent/Guardian Full Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Parent/Guardian Signature
- Type a question
- Community Agreement Form
- PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
  
  I understand that my youth participant(s) listed in this registration form will be held accountable to a community agreement. If they violate that agreement, I may need to come pick them up from a Braided Seeds event.
- Parent/Guardian Full name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Parent/Guardian Signature
Should be Empty:

Roots of Resilience: Paid Environmental Justice Program Leadership Program

Youth Participant Availability & Commitment

Emergency Contact #1

Emergency Contact #2

Release of Liability

Community Agreement Form