Ohio City resident Jinan Berard’s love for nature began at a young age.
“Ever since I was little, I really loved nature. I should probably thank my parents for that,” she said. “We traveled a lot and saw a lot of beautiful natural spaces. My mom, brother and I had a plot in our community garden. All those things were a big part of my childhood experience.”
In between scuba diving, gardening and dance, she is now channeling her passion for sustainability to serve the City of Cleveland.
Berard started her role as the new youth mayoral appointee for the Urban Forestry Commission (UFC) on Jan. 14. The UFC advises the mayor and City Council on policies and regulations to maintain and increase the tree canopy, which improves the health and vibrancy of Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
The commission had been interviewing for the youth mayoral appointee since June of last year. Berard is a junior at Hathaway Brown and is the Midwest regional coordinator for the National High School Climate Forum. She has always had an interest in the environment and green initiatives.
From the seas to the trees
Berard heard about the youth commissioner position from someone she works with.
“Someone I know sent me the link that Sustainable Cleveland had posted and said I think you would be really interested in this and good at it, so I went for it.” Berard said.
Initially, Berard wanted to be a marine biologist. Now, after gaining more experience in the environmental field and in the community, she wants to work directly with people.
“Whether it’s making a company have more sustainable practices or influencing policy, I just want to contribute to making the world and the people in it healthier.”
‘Showing her love for the City of Cleveland’
Berard is looking forward to pursuing a degree in environmental studies and sustainability. She believes being a part of the commission will help her continue to sharpen her skills while also exposing her community and peers to positive environmental practices.
“As a young person, I’m really interested in thinking about community outreach, especially youth outreach and how we can gain more visibility for the commission and the things that they are doing.” she said.
“I love the city of Cleveland. I kind of thought of this opportunity as a way to take all of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained through my other extracurricular sustainability experiences and use them to give back to Cleveland through this commission.”
Along with her work with the UFC, Berard will continue her own environmental projects, including growing native trees at Hathaway Brown.
“I’m working on a capstone project in my sustainability class with one of my classmates. We are starting a native tree nursery on campus. We are hoping in five or six years that we can give them to an organization that can plant them in the city where they are needed the most.”
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