ZUNI, NM (Apr. 30, 2024) — Last week, the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project participated in several “Earth Week” events to commemorate Earth Day 2024 on April 22. These included an Earth Day Celebration with community partners, a ZYEP neighborhood clean-up, a Zuni Middle School clean-up, and a community trail clean-up.
On Monday, April 22, the nonprofit youth project partnered with Major Market and Ancestral Lands to support Major Market’s Earth Day Celebration. During this event, the popular local establishment — a grocery store, deli and cafe — brought community partners together to highlight the importance of sustainable energy and climate justice.
“Various state representatives and local leaders spoke to the gathered crowd,” said Tahlia Natachu-Eriacho, ZYEP’s executive director. “Tribal programs set up information booths so attendees could learn more about local services, and everyone enjoyed delicious food as well as a recycling-education scavenger hunt to earn a free T-shirt.”
On Tuesday, April 23, ZYEP staff conducted a neighborhood trash clean-up under the direction of Built Environment Coordinator Thomas Zunie and new Built Environment Leader Ethan Martinez. The duo made sure the team had the correct gear, equipping fellow staff with safety vests, trash grabbers, gloves and bags.
“We want to do our part for our neighborhood,” Natachu-Eriacho said. “A clean environment should be the standard.”
On Wednesday, April 24, Zuni youth participating in ZYEP’s Rooted In Healthy Traditions after-school program cleaned up the Zuni Middle School grounds. The middle-school edition of RHT currently has 14 students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades enrolled in the program; they attend every Tuesday through Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m.
“The response from the RHT participants was incredible,” said Tara Wolfe, ZYEP’s program manager. “We envision having this community clean-up become part of the physical activity portion of the RHT program, as the youth did quite a bit of walking and squatting throughout the event. Creating enjoyable activities can also mean greater things, like pitching in to clean Mother Earth.”
Finally, on the evening of April 24, Thomas Zunie conducted a community clean-up activity at the Bluebird Trail. This free public trail is one of 10 that ZYEP maintains for the community; together, more than 60 miles of trails are available for outdoor exercise and recreation, and they are easily accessible from most residential neighborhoods in the pueblo.
During the trail cleanup event, participating community members walked the Bluebird Trail and picked up trash along the way.
“It was really cool to see the community come together for a good cause,” Zunie said. “It’s one thing all of us can do to make a difference.”
“Thomas said that, over the course of the week, we filled a truck bed with garbage,” Natachu-Eriacho reported. “I love how all of this came together, how we were able to do this work at multiple levels — youth, staff and community.”
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
