who We Are
Urban Earth Collective is dedicated to protecting children in Trenton from environmental hazards like lead exposure through education, advocacy, and community action.
wATCH 'bLOODLINES'
A Story of Environmental Justice & Community Legacy
Discover the powerful story of a community’s generations-long fight for environmental justice. Bloodlines traces the legacy of Trenton residents who stood against lead pollution and the leaders carrying that work forward today.
The film features Shereyl Snider, Founder of Urban Earth Collective, alongside community leader Sheila Caldwell, as they continue the fight to protect families, preserve community memory, and ensure future generations are not harmed by the environmental injustices of the past.
Bloodlines. A short film by Synai Ferrell and Payge Neals
Courtesy of Purcell Carson | Vimeo
Why This Work Is Important
Children in Trenton are growing up in environments that expose them to harmful toxins, including lead. These exposures impact learning, behavior, and long-term health. At Urban Earth Collective, we work directly with families and communities to raise awareness to lead, provide supportive care, and push for policy that makes a difference to the families affected by this toxin.
Our Story
Urban Earth Collective was founded by Shereyl Snider, a community organizer, educator, and advocate for environmental justice.
After moving to Trenton in 2000, Shereyl witnessed firsthand the environmental and social challenges affecting local families. Through her work in education and community organizing, she began to see a pattern—children struggling in school were often living in environments impacted by toxins like lead.
Her journey led her to study social justice and environmental health, where she discovered the deep connection between environmental exposure and public health outcomes.
Urban Earth Collective was created to address these challenges and to ensure that all children—regardless of race or income—can grow up in safe, healthy environments.