U-CAN is a program of AFC + A, in partnership with the US Forest Service (USFS) & the National Wildlife Federation (NWF).
2018 U-CAN SUMMER YOUTH CONGRESS
Colorado, US & Puerto Rico
Americas for Conservation + the Arts (AFC+A), in partnership with the National Wildlife Federation (NWF) and with the support of the US Forest Service & its Woodsy Owl Conservation Corps, host young leaders from across the country and Puerto Rico to participate in the United Cultures for Art + Nature (U-CAN) Green Ambassadors Youth Congress last Summer.
AUGUST, 2018 @ Cal-Wood, Colorado
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JULY, 2018 @ Tabonucco, Puerto Rico
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The U-CAN scholarship covers all of the program costs including; your travel to and from one of the designated pick-up spots, and your lodging and meals during your stay. In this Congress, students will experience an innovative curriculum joining studies in the principles of environmental stewardship with the development of creative skills in verbal, visual, and sound arts and their application to social change.
2018 U-CAN FACULTY & SPEAKERS
Colorado, US
KEYNOTES
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Michelle Gabrieloff, Environmental and Eco-Social Justice
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Rafael Salgado, Cal-Wood Director
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Jorge Figueroa, Principal El Laboratorio AFC+A "River Sisters"
FACULTY
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Bianca Mikahn, Sound Arts Workshop
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Shawna Crocker, Pollinators
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Alexis de los Santos, Therapist, "Emotional Intelligence"
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Mercy Dinwiddie, Forestry & Conservation Workshop / Fishing & Archery
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Alfonso Piloto Nieves Ruíz, Visual Art Workshop "Recycle Materials"
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David Manzanares, Verbal & Visual Art "3D Storytelling: Write, Sculpting & Drawing"
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Franklin Cruz, Verbal & Visual Art "3D Storytelling: Write, Sculpting & Drawing"
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Dana Coelho, Director Metro DNA "Forestry Conservation"
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Melissa Martinez, "River and Watersheds"
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Erin Hattler, Herbalist "Medical Plants & Nutrition"
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Joseph Callahan, EnergyLab Activity and Workshop
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Haydee Flores Trueba, Get to know myself through the ART
STAFF
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Irene Vilar, Founder & General Director AFC+A
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Danielle Okst, U-CAN Colorado Director
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Auraluz Guzmán, U-CAN Puerto Rico
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Jonathan Cintrón, AFC+A Puerto Rico Director
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Rocio De Prado, Photography, AFC+A Logistics & Special Events
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Miri Vilar, AFC+A Coordinator
MENTORS FOR STUDENTS
Alejandro Soto, U-CAN Colorado 2017
Nalleli Hidalgo, Houston WOCC
Cinthia Cantú, Houston WOCC -Zumba
Andre Saenz, Houston WOCC
Juan Elizondo, Houston WOCC
2018 U-CAN FACULTAD & ORADORES
Puerto Rico
ORADORES
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Tara Rodríguez Besosa, Direccción del Fondo de Resiliencia en Puerto Rico AFC+A "Justicia Alimentaria"
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Jesús 'Bubu' Negrón, Brigada PDT Puerta de Tierra "Artivism: Arte & Activismo"
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Ariel Lugo, Dirección Ecológica del International Institute of Tropical Forestry "Ecología de Puerto Rico"
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Juan Lazo, USFS Woodsy Owl Conservation Corp "Compromiso Ambiental"
FACULTAD
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Malcom Ferrer, Artista Local "Máscaras de Vejigante"
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Alexis de los Santos, Terapista, "Inteligencia Emocional"
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Alfonso Piloto Nieves Ruíz, Artista Visual "Arte de Reciclaje + Barro"
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Franklin Cruz, Maestro de Ceremonias "Artes Narrativas y Circulos Comunitarios"
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Ana Trujillo, Scuba Dogs Puerto Rico "iTree"
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Frances & Rolando, Finca Bikai "Agricultura Ecológica"
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Fello Pérez & Shaisa Soto, Siembra Para Tod@s "Plantas Medicinales"
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Edgardo González, "Manejo de Bósques de Puerto Rico"
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Zaimarie Carrillo, Para la Naturaleza "Reforestación"
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Jorge Figueroa, Dirección El Laboratorio AFC+A "Política Pública Ambiental"
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Dana Coelho, Dirección Metro DNA "Biodiversidad de Bósques"
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Eunice Esther Jimenez, Columpio Colectivo "Movimiento y Teatro"
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Mayra Santos Febres, Festival de la Palabra "Arte Verbal y Poesía"
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Juan Rosario, Amaneser 2025 "Energía Renovable para Puerto Rico"
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Marién Torres, Taller Tambuye "Baile y Barriles de Bomba de Puerto Rico"
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Haydee Flores Trueba, Orticultura en las artes plásticas
STAFF
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Irene Vilar, Fundadora & Dirección General AFC+A
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Auraluz Guzmán, Dirección U-CAN Puerto Rico
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Jonathan Cintrón, Dirección AFC+A Puerto Rico
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Rocio De Prado, Fotografía, Logística & Eventos Especiales AFC+A
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Miri Vilar, Coordinación Programas AFC+A
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Ginna Malley-Campos, Coordinación y Educadora Camp Tabonuco
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Rosaura Rodríguez, Coordinación y Educadora Camp Tabonuco