The Spirit of Service: From MLK Jr. to Montbello
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Every year, Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) honors Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and legacy with a Day of Service. Unfortunately, unsafe weather and subfreezing temperatures prevented the ELK community from gathering at our Education Center this MLK Day. Although we were not able to host our Day of Service as usual, the spirit of service and the ideas of Dr. King and other Civil Rights leaders will continue to run deep in ELK’s programming and volunteer events year-round.
The essence of Dr. King’s message — service, unity, and justice — continues to guide our work at ELK. We are more committed than ever to providing opportunities for youth and community members to grow as leaders and environmental stewards through hands-on learning and impactful community engagement. Our programs continue to inspire individuals to take action and create lasting change. With this in mind, we look forward to the upcoming service-focused initiatives that will allow us to carry Dr. King’s vision forward throughout the year.
Canvassing for Denver Digs Trees
This Saturday, February 1st, ELK volunteers will be canvassing for Denver Digs Trees, a project that provides shade trees for all Denver residents. ELK staff will train volunteers to get them confident and prepared to go door-to-door in our Montbello neighborhood, helping residents sign up to receive low-to-no-cost trees that will spruce up and cool their yards and provide habitat for other local species. At a later date, ELK volunteers may also plant the trees for free for residents who may not be able to do so themselves. This project aligns with Dr. King’s vision of equity, community empowerment, and environmental justice. By providing shade trees to Montbello residents, ELK volunteers are not only improving the neighborhood’s beauty and sustainability but are also ensuring that all people, regardless of their background or income, have access to a healthier, more vibrant environment. Click here to join ELK’s Volunteer Program and participate in a wide variety of service projects that make our world a better place.
Youth for Community Wellness
Youth for Community Wellness (YCW) is an ongoing collaboration between ELK and the Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP) that brings together youth to make a positive impact on the health of their communities. In the spirit of Dr. King’s vision for a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, both of our organizations promote environmental awareness, wellness, and unity while creating spaces that foster equity. YCW equips high-school-aged youth with the skills to educate peers and younger students about mental health, helping build resilient, thriving communities. In the spring, YCW members will teach at Monarch Montessori and share their knowledge with the Lounge, a youth mentorship program that meets at the ELK Education Center on Wednesdays, furthering this mission of empowerment and collective well-being.
Nature Club Park Clean-up
On April 10th, elementary and middle school students from ELK’s Nature Club will pick up trash in the Montbello Open Space Park behind our Education Center or in another northeast-Denver Park in need of beautification. Like many Nature Club projects, this clean-up fosters a sense of responsibility and care for the environment and the people and animals who inhabit it. Nature Club teaches youth that they are never too young to embody Dr. King’s vision of working together to make a better world for all.
Nature Club Community Gardening
On May 1st, Nature Club will visit a Montbello community garden and help prepare it for planting as summer approaches. The details have not been fully fleshed out, but students may be weeding, mulching, or planting late-spring crops. They will learn from, and work alongside, community elders, who have stewarded the garden for many years and cultivated a space that is welcoming and nourishing for everyone.
Earth Day at Sand Creek
To celebrate the amazing planet we all live on, ELK families will spend April 26th beautifying a Denver Park along Sand Creek. Afterwards, they will continue the celebration by having lunch in the park. This Earth Day event honors Dr. King’s vision of creating a more just and loving world by fostering community care and environmental stewardship. ELK families’ acts of collective responsibility and respect for the earth reflect his commitment to equality, unity, and a sense of shared purpose in building a better future for all.
We hope you and your loved ones will join us for an upcoming service project or consider donating to ELK. We look forward to seeing how we can work together to inspire action and create positive change in our communities.
About Environmental Learning for Kids: Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) is a local Denver nonprofit that creates a sense of belonging, self-discovery, and adventure in the outdoors for underrepresented young people of color and their families, transforming youth into environmental stewards and trailblazers that promote equitable outdoor access, sustainable practices, and community uplift. Learn more at elkkkids.org.
About the Author: Lauren Keller is ELK’s Events & Marketing Coordinator. She was born and raised in Miami, Florida but has done meaningful work in Colorado since graduating from Colorado College with a BA in Environmental Studies in 2021. Lauren is passionate about harnessing visual media to share the wonder of the natural world with everyone. She is currently pursuing an MA in Biology with a focus on conservation communications. In her free time, you can find Lauren reading, playing games, cooking new foods, or searching for wild animals to photograph.
