Our Story
The project began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison through the Wisconsin Idea Fellowship and is now focused in Chicago, where schools lack key tools to support climate education despite a statewide instruction mandate beginning in 2026-2027.
At Juniper Journal, we are dedicated to spreading awareness about the lack of environmental education resources for students and young learners.
Since 2020, the platform has engaged more than 600 youth and educators across the Midwest and has raised $14,000 in pre-seed funding through startup grants and pitch competitions.
Inspiration
Mee Vaj
Mee Vaj, grandmother of Ben Yang, was a Hmong refugee during the Vietnam War who was displaced from her homeland in Laos and Thailand. After immigrating to the United States, she built an impactful life rooted in sustainability and urban farming despite facing systemic racism, poverty, and environmental challenges. Her resilience continues to inspire The Juniper Journal’s mission to strengthen educational resilience for youth and communities in the face of climate change.
Chae Lee (left) and Mee Vaj (right), sisters, pictured working in the fields.
Meet the Team
Co-Founder/CEO
Benjamin Yang
Ben holds a B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and brings experience in environmental impact modeling and energy systems. He is also an environmental educator focused on hands-on, project-based learning.
Co-Founder/CTO
Ricardo Rios
Ricky holds a B.S. in Biological Engineering and is pursuing an M.S. in Computer Science with a focus on AI at Stanford University (2026). His work centers on full-stack development, human-centered systems, and responsible AI design.
Trusted Partners & Early Collaborators
We’ve worked with leading educational institutions, community organizations, and innovation partners to pilot programs, conduct workshops, and develop early versions of our platform.
