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The Gifts That Reach Across

 




It’s big local news. Everyone has already written about it. For example:

Grammy and Oscar-winning singer Billie Eilish donates to Maryland climate leadership program, Adam Thompson, CBS News

Musician Billie Eilish donates $11,000 to Howard County Conservancy climate program, Jess Nocera, Baltimore Banner

The money will be used to support the Conservancy’s Youth Climate Institute. From their Facebook page:

  • Building the next generation of climate leaders.
  • The Youth Climate Institute educates and certifies the next generation of leaders on climate science, environmental justice and real world solutions.
  • A program of The Howard County Conservancy

It is Monday, November 17th and this story broke weeks ago. Why am I late on this? Because I wanted to focus on something that no one else was looking at.

So, here goes. Do you remember this?



In October of 2023 the Howard County Conservancy hosted a Climate Justice Concert. 

Join us for the YCI Alumni Network Climate Justice Concert Featuring Joshua Long!! Tuesday, October 10th - 6pm to 7:30pm at the Howard County Conservancy - The Amphitheater This FREE event is open to all middle and high school students!

The response from some hocolocals on social media was dubious, if not downright hostile, suggesting that such an event was a dangerous exercise in indoctrination from which children should be protected. (Yes, I wrote about it.) 

I just can’t get over one hundred and eleven comments over what - - back in the day - - would’ve been billed as a coffee house with a folk singer.

Having grown up in the 1960’s, I don’t find such events threatening. Maybe I have forgotten - - or didn’t understand at the time - - that there were always folks that did. 

Why? Young people. Music. New ideas. 

In these environments there is room to think, feel, create community. These experiences can be powerful enough to motivate people to work for change. 

Those things can be exhilarating for some, challenging for others.

Donor Billie Eilish - - singer, songwriter, musician - - feels deeply about environmental issues and doesn’t see them as separate from her musical career.

She has been vocal with regard to environmental causes, including climate change awareness. Among other pursuits, Eilish signed an open letter to world leaders urging them to take action against climate-induced poverty, embarked on an ad campaign encouraging young people to use technology for environmental advocacy, and hosted a six-day climate seminar in London titled Overheated to discuss topics such as sustainable fashion and youth activism. - - Wikipedia

The thing about music - - the miraculous and unexpected thing - - is how it beautifully connects. People to other people. Ideas to other ideas. Inspiration to action. 

It reaches across.

As you know, I’m an arts education person and have often urged my readers to advocate for music programs in the school budget. But, over the years, I have become more and more aware of how places like the Howard County Conservancy, The Robinson Nature Center, and The Community Ecology Institute are working with children from a very young age to engage with the natural environment and advocate for a healthy future for all of us.

The arts often give young people something to live for. Is it so surprising that they would care for a planet that supports life?

The two are not separate. They know, even if we sometimes forget.

I’m thrilled for Director Meg Boyd, the Howard County Conservancy, and all the young people who are the embodiment of this vital work in our community.



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  1. Julia A. McCreadyNovember 17, 2025 at 4:32 AM

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