Jan Sneddon is passionate about building relationships that help bridge the gap between environmental and civic education and improve the educational experience for young people. Jan works for Earth Force, a nonprofit based in Denver, CO, that strives to engage young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. Jan has been with Earth Force for 10 years and directs the GM GREEN program, where young people work with engineers from General Motors to conduct water quality monitoring and use their findings to create lasting solutions for pressing water quality issues in their community.
Ever since her years as a Peace Corps science teacher in Ghana, West Africa, Jan has been convinced that environmental health and stability can only be achieved if the world’s populace is informed about environmental threats and equipped with the knowledge, skills, and motivation to be active problem solvers in addressing those issues. Post-Peace Corps, Jan obtained a Master of Science in Environmental Science from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs. She then joined the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to co-coordinate the Hoosier Riverwatch volunteer monitoring program. Through Riverwatch, Jan discovered Earth Force and the perfect path for working to educate and empower young people to interact with, enjoy, and protect the environment. Hobbies have been on the back burner for the past 5 years in favor of raising her two little ones – Ian, 5, and Gracelyn, 3. When Jan is not working or spending time with her children, her hobbies include reading, kayaking, biking, running, and gardening.