Borderlands Earth Care Youth (BECY) inspires and trains the next generation of land stewards by hiring culturally diverse youth living on the US/Mexico borderlands to restore the trans-national watersheds they call home. Youth work with rock, wood, seeds, hands, and hearts to return flowing waters and riverside ecosystems to the arid borderlands.
Youth interns work alongside conservation professionals to make grassroots systemic change in historically overlooked and underserved communities. Simultaneously, youth learn leadership skills and are empowered to develop tiered-leadership roles with increased responsibility, accountability, and empathy. Since beginning in 2012, 170 youth have graduated from BECY.

​Contact us at becy@borderlandsrestoration.org with questions.  
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Video created by Valeria Cabello, BECY Youth Leader
Publication: Weaver, C. (2021). Borderlands Earth Care Youth Institute Restoration Work in the U.S./Mexico Borderlands. Air, Soil and Water Research, 14. 

BACKGROUND

​Today only 4% of the historic rivers and streams still flow in Arizona. As a result, riparian (riverside) tree roots can no longer access year-round water in one of the three most biodiverse regions in the United States. It's difficult to overstate the importance of riparian habitats, which produce 100 times more plant mass than the surrounding desert. The rich habitat of mesquite, oak, ash, cottonwood, sycamore, and other plant life translates into food, nesting sites, and cover for both native and migration wildlife. 
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By paying culturally diverse youth in the economically depressed region within 50-miles of the US/Mexico border to restore rivers, we can empower the next generation to re-imagine the border’s future. By working on cross-border watersheds with Mexican and American landowners alike, we can heal the perceived divide between our deeply connected countries. By teaching youth how to harvest rainwater, grow plants, and work together – we can rediscover how vibrant a place the border can be.

PROGRAM DETAILS
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BECY provides paid internships for youth, ages 15-18, to learn practical, marketable skills in watershed restoration, ecosystem restoration, and community restoration. Currently there are programs based out of the Douglas and Patagonia communities. Crews are comprised of 10 youth, with two designated as youth leaders. 

​Each crew develops experiences and vocabulary in teamwork, leadership, and empathy, while following a curriculum of habitat restoration in the following structure: Watershed Restoration, Ecosystem Restoration, and Community Restoration. Those interested in applying should be prepared for physically strenuous, but fulfilling activities in some of the most beautiful locations the Arizona/Sonora border has to offer.
Story from Arizona Public Media about The University of Arizona Southwest Field Studies in Writing residency program. Each year three creative writing graduate students come to Patagonia for two weeks to write, research and connect with borderlands communities and teach creative writing to BECY interns.

PAST ACTIVITIES & PROJECTS


​Watershed Restoration: 
  • Stabilizing eroding waterways with rock
  • Shaping earth to infiltrate rainwater
  • Installing rainwater-harvesting cisterns
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Ecosystem Restoration:
  • Removing invasive plants
  • Planting native flowers and grasses
  • Applying seed to recover native ecosystems

Community Restoration:
  • Support sustainable farmers and ranchers
  • Harvest rainwater in cities and towns
  • Restore wildlife habitat in cities and towns

Final project video by 2023 Borderlands Earth Care Youth Patagonia interns Drey Kipnis and Birdie Baer presented as their reflection project at the conclusion of the course. 
Thinking about a career in conservation work?
​Check out our resource guide full of opportunities.
Print friendly version here.
​BECY Case Study: Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative
​Interested in supporting BECY? Donations of all sizes appreciated to support the BECY program!

BECY IS GENEROUSLY FUNDED THROUGH PRIVATE SUPPORT FROM DONORS, GRANT FUNDING AND KEY PARTNERSHIPS

 Thank you to our current and past funders and partners who make this important program possible. 
47 Ranch, Arevalos Farm, Barboot Ranch, Borderlands Restoration L3C, City of Douglas, Coronado National Forest, Cuenca Los Ojos, Deep Dirt Farm, Douglas High School Land Lab, Douglas Public Library, El Coronado Ranch, Harris Heritage Farm, Home Grown Instruments, Huachuca City Community Garden, Madrean Archipelago Plant Propagation Center, Malpai Borderlands Group, Milagros del Desierto, Patagonia Flower Farm, The Patagonia Museum, Patagonia Public Library, Patagonia Regional Community Fund, Patagonia Union High School, Patagonia Youth Enrichment Center, Santa Fe Ranch Foundation, Southwestern Research Station, Sycamore Ranch, T4 Ranch, Town of Patagonia, University of Arizona Southwest Field Studies in Writing, Winkler Ranch, U.S. Geological Survey, Wildlife Corridor LLC, Youth Conservation Crew, Youth Conservation Corps