FREEPORT — The start of a new year is prime time for planning ahead, and Meridian Stories is inviting Maine youth to help shape their state’s environmental future by participating in the statewide challenge “Paradise Found — the Search for Maine’s Environmental Visionaries.”
Middle and high school students may produce one- to two-minute videos addressing their goals and ideas for the future of Maine’s environment. The audience for their messages: state leaders in both the public and private sector. For this statewide environmental initiative, Meridian Stories is partnering with Maine Audubon Society and Wolfe’s Neck Farm to foster environmental awareness and bring forward the next generation of Maine environmental leaders.
“This project is designed as a form of activism,” said Brett Pierce, Meridian’s executive director. “The goal is to give voice to Maine students’ collective vision and truly impact what tomorrow looks like for our state.”
Meridian Stories provides students with suggested prompts for their submissions, such as: In a 1- to 2-minute video letter to the president of the United States, state your position advocating for or against a Maine Woods National Monument, and why; if you secured $1 million to bring healthier, locally grown, environmentally friendly and affordable food to Maine’s population, what would you do; and in a global environment where fresh water supplies are seriously dwindling, Maine enjoys abundance. How do you propose to balance the two objectives of protecting our freshwater resources and tapping it to slake a global thirst?
Students use the power of digital media to produce videos to imagine and share the future they envision for Maine’s environment. Entries will be posted on the Meridian Stories website where users can explore their visions for Maine’s natural environment. The top 10 visionaries will be chosen by a panel of educators and environmental and media professionals. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 10 Maine Environmental Visionaries.
Last year a Caribou High School student earned status in the top 10 visionaries. Benjamin Ezzy, then a junior, was chosen for his presentation “Life of Maine,” in which he proposed a nonprofit venture to help conserve Maine’s national heritage.
Meridian Stories’ community of schools includes schools in Aroostook County, as well as Androscoggin, Cumberland, Kennebec, Lincoln, Sagadahoc and York.
After the competition wraps up, every Maine legislator will be sent a link to a live map showing where participating students attend school, and watch the “Paradise Found — The Search for Maine’s Environmental Visionaries” videos.
“It’s paramount these messages are delivered — that people across the state hear what these kids have to say,” said Pierce. “Sharing these videos and inspiring people to take action is the real power in this program.”
Funding from the Horizon Foundation, a Maine philanthropy, enables Meridian Stories to offer this challenge free to middle and high schools from across Maine and award cash prizes to the Top Ten Environmental Visionaries.
The registration deadline is Feb. 15; the deadline for submissions is April 15. Registration is free — visit www.MeridianStories.com to register and see the full challenge.
