Land Justice Organizing Fellowship

‍

The Gulf South is one of the largest oil-producing regions, and communities of color face the brunt of pollution and climate impacts—from petrochemical plants and LNG pipelines to water contamination, extreme heat, and deadly storms. At the same time, youth are encouraged to work in the petrochemical and polluting industries and recruited in high schools. We are creating a just transition by providing green workforce development and career paths.

‍

Through our fellowship, designed by and for youth of color (ages 15-22) we are expanding the capacity of local groups and building new leadership, thus strengthening the foundation for systemic change and climate justice across Texas and beyond.

‍

What the Fellowship Offers

‍

8 weeks paid grassroots organizing at $20/hour
Organizing training: base building, power mapping, door-knocking, strategy, community meetings, forming a team, campaign roadmap and more

Opportunity to lead grassroots campaigns, participatory research, shape policy, and build community owned systems
Storytelling, journalism, and media training
Weekly political education
Weekly leadership development sessions
Intergenerational mentorship
All expenses paid in person retreat

‍

Since 2021 we have reached 70 Black & Brown youth across TX & NY and prevented 313 billion tons of CO² emission through campaign wins!

“As a grassroots organization, this fellowship has been a huge support in expanding our capacity and advancing our campaigns. It helped us see our organization from a youth perspective. We would love more opportunities to keep the collaboration with current fellows or new ones.”

South TX Environmental Justice Network

“This summer fellowship has allowed me to make connections between injustices happening in my community and those across the world and practice organizing and solidarity with other Indigenous youth and communities."

Sage Jimenez – 2025 Summer Cohort member

Featured campaigns
and projects

Stopped a proposed desalination plant in Corpus Christi with For the Greater Good

Blocked an Enbridge oil terminal with Indigenous Peoples of the Coastal Bend

Advanced statewide policy to prevent water privatization with Water Inequality Network

Collected 500 community responses on SpaceX and LNG impacts in Brownsville

Led a land and housing justice protest at Austin City Hall with CPATX

Published a zine on foraging native plants

Produced a 10-episode podcast centering Black and Brown voices from East Austin

Tested soil, reduced food waste, and built urban agriculture center at Walton Campus

Meet Our 2026 Fellows

Meet our summer 2026 fellows from Austin, Corpus, Brownsville and St. Johns Louisiana who are organizing for environmental justice in their own communities and utilizing youth participatory research to set a new agenda and vision for a just transition rooted in the gulf south.