EPIC D4Y post
🚀 The EPIC D4Y Prototypes Rolled Out!
A four-photo collage titled “E.P.I.C D4Y shows a collage of photos that represent each of the events. The top left image shows a youth kneeling in the soil digging a hole to place a small plant into the ground. The top right image shows youth talking about art pieces. The bottom left image shows three youth completing homework at a park. The bottom right image shows a youth creating a banner that says, “community garden event”.
The E.P.I.C D4Y (Efficient, Precise, Innovative, Collaborative Design for Youth) groups officially launched their prototypes at the beginning of 2026!
To rewind a bit, back in July 2025, EcoLogik interns Lucinda A. and Mayumi L., EcoLogik Youth apprentices, and facilitators Sam and Paul Wynns ran the inaugural three-day E.P.I.C D4Y symposium for high school students. During this immersive experience, participants developed design-thinking skills and worked collaboratively to identify real challenges within their communities. By the end of the symposium, each group had developed a solution aimed at increasing accessibility to nature, environmental education, and community connection for youth across San Diego.
Below you can find recaps of the events!
A four-photo collage titled “New Year, New Plants” shows volunteers and youth planting native plants outdoors in a sunny, grassy area. Groups kneel in the soil digging holes, placing small plants into the ground, and working together along a dirt path surrounded by greenery.
New Year, New Plants Recap (1/4):
The Ecologik Institute started off the year doing what we love most: working with others to conserve and restore natural habitats. At New Year, New Plants, Design and Innovation Intern Lucinda A., and Executive Director Sam W. worked with youth and adults from across San Diego to restore native plants along Dog Beach, a popular coastal recreation area in Ocean Beach, San Diego. This program was run as a part of the EPIC D4Y conference that Lucinda A. and Mayumi L. led over the summer. It was the first of five public events that resulted from youth engaging with one another at the conference and developing prototypes to increase the accessibility of nature and the outdoors to youth in San Diego County.
The group that ran this event chose to focus on providing outdoor volunteer opportunities for youth and, working with the San Diego River Park Foundation, developed this program to enhance the opportunities that youth are exposed to. It was a great success! There were over 25 attendees, the majority of whom were young women, that came to support and collaborate. Attendees learned about why native plants are important and how crucial it is to restore habitats in an engaging talk from the San Diego River Park Foundation. Then, everyone picked up their tools and got to work digging, uprooting, and removing invasive plants, filling about 7 trash bins. The final step was to plant native plants, 12 of them, across the section that had just been cleared out. The event ended with dirt under everyone’s nails and huge smiles across their faces as they admired their work. The group that planned this event hopes to continue their partnership with the San Diego River Park Foundation, running more events like this in the future, so keep your eye out!
A four-photo collage titled “Nature’s Market” shows youth participating in outdoor activities at a park. Two photos show teens using trash pickers and holding large trash bags while cleaning up grass areas. The other two photos show a table displaying nature-inspired artwork, including drawings and prints, with youth standing nearby and presenting their work.
Nature’s Market Recap (1/18 and 1/25):
The next EPIC D4Y prototype was Nature’s Market, a unique two-part event created with the goal to increase community among teenagers while serving their wider communities. The first Nature’s Market was a cleanup event where youth gathered at César Chávez Park with trash bags and grabbers to rid the park of trash and litter. After two hours of hard work, the group had cleaned up nearly 10 full trash bags’ worth of litter. The key takeaway from this event, though, was the collaboration on display! What began with individuals or pairs exploring on their own ended with everyone coming together to comb the park. The result was an inclusive, supportive community grounded in civic service!
This program was followed up by the second event, the following Sunday, where Nature’s Market displayed youth art and brought youth artists to discuss the importance of nature and art. Leadership Academy youth apprentices Kate W. and Landyn A. displayed their photography, sketches, and crafted pieces of art to the public. They even ran an interactive activity where visitors created small animal figurines from beads and wire. This event was unique and successful because people passing by had the opportunity to stop, engage, and participate!
A four-photo collage titled “Focus Park” shows youth gathered at tables in a sunny park, with their laptops, textbooks, and homework.
Focus Park Recap (1/25)
We wrapped up January's E.P.I.C. D4Y events with a phenomenal study session outdoors, which the WiFi Focus Park group from E.P.I.C. planned. This group identified that a main challenge that teenagers faced when trying to get out into nature was the overwhelming amount of schoolwork and studying that they had to do. Knowing this, they chose to plan an event where students could complete their homework while being in nature. They created surveys to identify the effectiveness of their event, brought snacks and drinks, recruited tutors, and (most importantly) bought a hotspot so there would be accessible WiFi at the park.
Lucinda A. attended the event as a tutor, along with EcoLogik Institute’s youth apprentices Jocelyn C. and Citlali M.. All the attendees were focused, working hard, and collaborating on their schoolwork. The snacks and WiFi made studying enjoyable and efficient. The post-survey given to the attendees showed that all participants reported being more productive in nature and completed all of their work. This was a phenomenal experience because it combined nature, studying, and collaboration to increase the attendees’ focus while making them feel better as they were surrounded by nature. This group is going to continue their project by planning events across San Diego County, so keep an eye out for the information!
A four-photo collage titled “Native Plant Party” shows adults and children gathered at tables in a sunny park, potting and learning about native plants together. Volunteers help kids with soil, small pots, and plants in a hands-on, family-friendly outdoor setting.
Native Plant Party Recap (2/1)
The final EPIC D4Y event was planned by a few of our amazing EcoLogik Institute youth apprentices. Maya P., Maya S., and Landyn A. (who all participated in E.P.I.C. D4Y), along with their group members, planned a fantastic event highlighting the importance of native plants in San Diego County. When participants entered, they were given a quick lesson about the importance of native plants to maintain balance and stability in ecosystems. Then, participants were given a pot and paints to decorate it. Once they completed their masterpiece, then they got to choose what native plant seeds they wanted to plant and were given a gorgeous pamphlet with information about how to care for the plant and why they should care. The event wrapped up with a delicious, sweet treat!
This event was fabulous because it combined numerous aspects of STEM: art, community, education, and action! It was hosted at La Mesita Park in San Diego and was packed the entire time. Families from the playground stopped by to paint, plant, and connect with other passionate conservationists. This was a perfect event to wrap up our EPIC D4Y events! We look forward to hosting more events that are going to leave a lasting impression like this one. If you weren’t able to attend any of them, stay tuned for more events and opportunities!
For those who participated
