Get Involved!  Check out the following organizations in Colorado, with opportunities for students:

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Student Resource Partners

Abbondanza Organic Seeds and Produce:

Abbondanza, giving youth the opportunity to connect with were food actually comes from as well as making a difference in their community.

What YOU Can Do:
The intention of this volunteer program is to give youth the opportunity to be apart of Abbondanza, and really experience life on the farm. Each week will focus on a different theme ranging from the individual and its relationship to the farm and the community as a whole. The main activities will include meeting and working with the farm animals, harvesting food for the farmer’s market, making lunch from farm veggies and much more!

Contact:
Soni Hueftle, Youth CORE at Abbondanza!
http://www.eatabbo.org/get-involved.html
snowpens@gmail.com

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The Bike Depot:

The Bike Depot is a non-profit community bike shop advocating for healthier people and environments through the distribution of bikes and bicycle knowledge. We do this through programs such as community open shop, Earn A Bike, family bike rides, and more.

What YOU Can Do:
We need volunteers to work on bikes, help others work on their own bikes, help with programs, command the Front Desk, and much, much more.

Contact:
Laurie Hanselmann, Program Manager The Bike Depot, 303-393-1963
http://www.thebikedepot.org/
laurie@thebikedepot.org

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The Center for ReSource Conservation:

The Center for Resource Conservation (CRC) is working to empower the community to conserve natural resources.  Each year, CRC empowers more than 30,000 individuals to live a more sustainable life.  CRC and engages individuals through programming in its energy, water, and waste divisions. 

What YOU Can Do:
The Center for Resource Conservation's ReNew Our Schools PV grant program donates 10kW photovoltaic (PV) systems - solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity - to schools in the Boulder Valley School District.  The goal is to provide schools with renewable energy equipment that lowers operating costs and environmental impacts and establishes interactive school and community-based conservation projects.    

CRC has a variety of internships and volunteer opportunities for students interested in learning about conservation.  The volunteer and internship opportunities range from spending a few hours each week in the office or the sales yard to collecting data in the field. 

CRC also posts a wide variety of classes and events. Check out http://conservationcenter.org/events.htm to learn more!

Contact:
Kate Eckhardt, Outreach and Education Manager, 303-999-3820 Ext. 218
http://www.conservationcenter.org/
keckhardt@conservationcenter.org

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The Colorado Association for Recycling:

The Colorado Association for Recycling (CAFR) is actively working to promote and encourage recycling through programs that educate the public, local governments, businesses, and Colorado's elected officials.

What YOU Can Do:
Participate in CAFR's annual Summit for Recycling, submit entries for our annual poster contest, and implement recycling and waste diversion programs in your school and community.

Contact:
Visit http://www.cafr.org for more information.

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Common Threads:

Common Threads – Consign and Design is a two part business.  We sell gently used clothing so that Boulder locals can be fashionable without breaking the bank, can keep their unwanted clothing out of landfills, and can reduce their dependence on overseas clothing production.  The second part of the business offers classes in sewing, design and jewelry making so that people can hone their skills to repair, alter, and design their own clothing and accessories.

What YOU Can Do:
Common Threads has year-round design classes for youth and teens to help them repurpose clothing, jewelry, and bedding and find their own style - while being respectful of the environment.  Our internships for high school and college students give exposure to and training in sewing, design, jewelry making, crafts education and the consignment business.

Contact:
Sarah Tracy, Education Coordinator, 303-449-5431
www.commonthreadsboulder.com
commonthreadsboulder@gmail.com
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Denver Urban Gardens:

Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) builds and maintains nearly 100 community vegetable gardens around the Denver Metro area. They are committed to supporting the growth of garden communities by providing educational programs and affordable ways to garden organically and locally.

What YOU Can Do:
As a non-profit, volunteer support is vital to DUG’s success.  There are a number of ways that high school youth can get involved including Garden Construction workdays, DeLaney Community Farm help, and Garden Project with Garden Leaders. Each opportunity is different and may include tasks such as building pathways and fences, painting, weeding, and harvesting. Note: all volunteers will need to sign waivers (also signed by a parent or guardian if the volunteer is under 18 yrs), and provide their own transportation to and from the sites. 

Contact:
Lisa Bult, Volunteer and Construction Coordinator, 303-292-9900
www.dug.org
lisa@dug.org
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Rocky Mountain Sustainable Living Fair and Future Friday:

Rocky Mountain Sustainability Fair and Future Friday  educate people and communities in the Rocky Mountain region about healthy sustainable choices.  We each have the power to sustain our natural resources and bring about change through safe, healthy and conscious consumer and lifestyle choices. Help us work to inspire actions that sustain our earth!
 

What YOU Can Do:
The Sustainable Living Fair and Future Friday provide relevant, current workshops and panels on eco-lifestyles for teens, green careers, youth community building and volunteering opportunities, environmental action and leadership, entrepreneurship, money management and conscious consumerism, renewable energy, energy savings at home, land conservation, organic gardening and composting, community gardens, Local Food in Local Schools movement, backyard chickens, building with re-purpose, woodworking, metal working, blacksmithing and pottery, sustainable business practices and fair trade, local economies, yoga, tai chi, Teens Turning Green spa, skate ramp, enviro & indie short films and music videos, DJ, PeaceJam and more.

Contact:
Kristina Cash, Fair Director
http://www.sustainablelivingassociation.org/thefair/
kristina@sustainableliving.org

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Sierra Student Coalition Colorado

The Sierra Student Coalition (SSC) is a broad network of high school and college-aged youth from across the country working to protect the environment. Our mission is simple: "to train, empower, and organize youth to run effective campaigns that result in tangible environmental victories and that develop leaders for the environmental movement."
 

What YOU Can Do:
Work with the Sierra Student Coalition to plan events using strategies that will create real change in your community.  Help recruit members to work for environmental protection and build a strong Colorado Sierra Student Coalition.  

Contact:
Laura Lyznicki, Sierra Student Coalition Organizer
http://ssc.sierraclub.org/index.html
laura.lyznicki@sierraclub.org
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Solar Energy International:

Solar Energy International (SEI) has been training forward-thinking people to design and install solar, wind and other renewable energy systems since 1991. Our hands-on workshops bring in students from Colorado, throughout the U.S. and around the globe.

What YOU Can Do:
SEI’s youth outreach program, Solar In the Schools (SIS), is looking for energetic, motivated high school students with an interest in spreading the word about renewable energy. As a local volunteer living near Carbondale, you can train to deliver our renewable energy classroom presentation to younger students. If you live further afield, you may be able to volunteer remotely to improve SIS’s online profile and social networking connections.

Contact:
Noah Davis, Coordinator of Solar in the Schools, (970) 963-8855
http://www.solarenergy.org/solar-schools-sis
noah@solarenergy.org
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SOS Outreach:

SOS Outreach is focused on building character in youth through outdoor adventures.  We provide opportunities for a variety of outdoor programs including mountain biking, backpacking, climbing, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and even snowshoeing.  Our curriculum includes community service opportunities and the adult mentor relationships that are central to our programs.

What YOU Can Do:
Throughout the summer, join SOS Outreach for mountain biking, rock climbing, and backpacking trips.  Youth can get involved with SOS Outreach by participating in their year-round programs, volunteering, or by becoming a Program Support Intern.

• Friday, July 16 from 11:00-12:30 at the Denver Marriot West: Join us for a youth-focused public listening session on the President’s great outdoors initiative. 

Contact:
Stephanie Marcus, (970) 926-9292 x110
www.sosoutreach.org
stephanie@sosoutreach.org

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Wildlands Restoration Volunteers:

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers (WRV) fosters a spirit of shared responsibility for the stewardship and restoration of public lands in Colorado.   WRV provides meaningful volunteer opportunities for people who are eager to care for their public lands.

What YOU Can Do:
WRV has opportunities for youth to work on many of our projects either as an individual or as a group. There is also the chance to get involved in our youth steering committee or become a crew leader! 
 

Contact:
Katie Renga, 303-543-1411
http://www.wlrv.org/
katie@wlrv.org

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ZeroHero: 

ZeroHero works across the country creating zero-waste events and festivals. Through education, waste recovery and alternative energy our clients realize there is more to zero than ever imagined.

What YOU Can Do:
ZeroHero can help students that are interested in zero-waste programs for their school, classroom, or special event.  ZeroHero offers volunteer and internship opportunities for students and youth interested in waste reduction and low-impact events and festivals.  Contact ZeroHero and make your prom or graduation a zero waste event!

Contact:
Bryan Birch, Education Director, 970.237.1498
http://zeroheroevents.com/
bryan@zeroheroevents.com

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Supporting Organizations

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education:

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) serves all sectors of the Colorado community by increasing the collective effectiveness of environmental education (EE). CAEE is dedicated to supporting and promoting quality environmental education opportunities by facilitating communication, coordination and professional development among the varied environmental education programs throughout the state.

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Denver Recycles:

Denver Recycles offers free recycling service and seasonal waste reduction programs to Denver residents. Sign up for service by calling 3-1-1 or at DenverGov.org/DenverRecycles. Denver Public Schools also receive recycling service from Denver Recycles. 

Denver Recycles encourages Denver's youth to explore ways to improve their school's recycling program and ask their family and friends to participate in Denver's residential recycling program. Denver youth may also volunteer at Denver LeafDrop, the City's annual leaf composting collection event.

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The Keystone Center:

The Keystone Center’s Youth Policy Summit brings high school students from around the nation together to confront the toughest problems facing their communities. Topics range from energy innovation and water resources to childhood obesity and youth violence prevention. The Youth Policy Summit’s goal is to give YOU the skills and opportunities to analyze current policy and make a difference by developing sustainable solutions. Our students are often inspired to turn their research into action: In 2009, YPS students from each of our Summits presented to legislators, formed student action and awareness groups, and pursued alternate career paths.

The Keystone Center provides ongoing communication and networking for YPS alumni by facilitating internships with industry and government, sharing scholarship and award opportunities, and providing an outlet to share grassroots efforts and celebrate successes.