The Junior Center of Art and Science steps into an exciting new role as host and convener for the Lake Merritt Action Coalition.

Lake Merritt is what it is because people show up for it. For years, volunteers, community groups, city staff, and residents have worked to care for and protect this shared space.

But too often, these efforts happen in isolation. The Lake Merritt Action Coalition brings people together to work in alignment—so we can share resources, strengthen advocacy, and make a greater collective impact.

Last year, the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation (OPRF) convened a series of meetings called “Critical Conversations,” where they tapped the wisdom and commitment of some of the most active organizations serving the lake.

The need was clear and compelling: Lake Merritt steward organizations were missing a unifying body to create a shared table, a shared voice, and a platform for leveraging our collective power.

In November, OPRF passed the baton to the Junior Center. We are excited to be be working with the same core group of stewardship organizations to get the basics in place.

In the days ahead, we’ll be sharing much more. For now, please know that we deeply appreciate OPRF for their leadership in bringing this missing element into existence. We are grateful for the trust, enthusiasm, and extraordinary commitment of our Lake Merritt stewardship partners. And, we are sincerely honored to serve the people of Oakland and the Lake Merritt community in this capacity.

The Challenge

While hundreds of volunteers work on the lake, their efforts have historically been siloed, limiting advocacy and resources.

The Solution

While prioritizing coalition-building, youth environmental education and sciences, public awareness campaigns, and coordinated advocacy, the Junior Center of Art and Science (JCAS) will serve as a trusted convening partner to strengthen stewardship, improve accessibility and infrastructure, and bring a creative lens to conservation.

The Four Pillars

Creating a shared platform for all stewardship groups.

Engaging the next generation through environmental science.

Launching creative campaigns to celebrate the lake.

Leveraging collective power to improve infrastructure.

Donate to: Lake Merritt Action Coalition

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Junior Center for Art and Science
558 Bellevue Ave.
Oakland, CA 94610

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