Health Management and Policy Student Advocates for Green Spaces in Los Angeles
Health Management and Policy graduate student Gabriela Albavera has been awarded the Green for All Scholarship from the nonprofit organization Dream.org. This award is designed to aid individuals in jumpstarting their careers in sustainability by funding environmentally conscious projects and providing industry networking opportunities. The aim is to lift up communities that are most affected by poverty and pollution and scholars who are underrepresented in the field.
Gabriela’s project inspiration came from walking around her neighborhood in Los Angeles and noticing little tree coverage, lots of dead lawns, and few parks. However, instead of being discouraged, she decided that this was an opportunity for positive change. With that, she proposed her project to Dream.org to engage Angelenos in transitioning to eco-friendly landscaping, tree planting, and green space preservation. She wants to provide incentives to engage community members in the process of green urban design. At the center of her tactic is a community-based approach, which allows the people affected to get involved in the decision-making process. In her words, “Ownership breeds some degree of responsibility. When people can actually provide input on what type of tree is planted in front of their house or are involved in planting, creating, or designing, they may feel more inclined to sustain the project.” Gabriella believes that the viability and sustainability of green projects rely on community feedback to ensure that projects align with the community’s needs and views.
Gabriela is currently a second-year student at San Diego State University working toward her Master in Public Degree with a concentration in Health Management and Policy. Gabriela holds a B.A. in Public Health from the University of California – Irvine. Her academic and professional focus is based around providing her community in Los Angeles with the opportunity to be included in the solutions for climate change. By advocating for more green space in low-income communities and boosting civic engagement, Gabriela hopes to improve the lives and health of Angelinos.
