Behind The Print: Green Kids Club Environmental Stories
Welcome to the latest episode of Behind The Print, where we bring you the creative stories of industry leaders shaping the world of professional printing. In this episode, I sit down with Sylvia Medina, founder of Green Kids Club, to discuss her journey in creating engaging environmental stories for children. We’ll explore Sylvia’s passion for conservation, her background as an environmental engineer, and how print materials play a crucial role in educating young readers. Sylvia’s approach blends storytelling with real-world conservation efforts to inspire future generations of environmental stewards.
Below, you’ll find the transcript of our conversation, edited for clarity to ensure easy reading. If you want the full, authentic experience, make sure to check out the video attached below.
8-minute read
“Never give up. Always ask and ask and ask—because all they can say is no, right? Eventually, they get tired of saying no.” Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Transcripts from Behind The Print with Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Welcome back to Behind The Print podcast, where we feature industry leaders and uncover the creative minds behind businesses in the professional printing world. Our mission is to provide you with inspiring, actionable resources to elevate your business projects and accelerate your journey to excellence in profit and print.
Today’s episode is Green Kids Club Environmental Stories, and I’m here today with Green Kids Club founder and environmental engineer, Sylvia Medina!
Sylvia Medina: Hi Zoe, it’s nice to be here. Thank you for having us. We’re really excited to be participating in this interview with you.
“Being a small business, we’re going to grow larger. We’ll have to sell more books, and it’s just going to take time. We have an awesome team, and we just do the best we can.” Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Sylvia Medina: Hi Zoe, it’s nice to be here. Thank you for having us. We’re really excited to be participating in this interview with you.
Zoe Fisher: Of course! We love your books—they’re absolutely gorgeous.
Sylvia Medina: Thank you! We work really hard at that.
Zoe Fisher: Who does Green Kids Club primarily serve?
Sylvia Medina: We serve kids, parents, and educators, teaching them about environmental protection and endangered animals. Our books highlight species that are at risk or need conservation efforts. We aim to reach families, schools, and classrooms to inspire young readers between the ages of six to ten—though, to be honest, even adults read our books!
Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! How do your books and programs encourage kids and families to be more active in environmental conservation?
Sylvia Medina: We started with stories about African wildlife, but we’ve shifted our focus to animals in the U.S. People are more engaged when they learn about species in their own backyard. Books like Grizzly 399 gained a lot of traction because people are deeply connected to wildlife they recognize.
We’ve also worked with schools and grants to distribute books for free. For example, we’ve partnered with Jackson-based organizations to bring environmental education into classrooms. Recently, we donated books to schools in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho—places where grizzly bears are part of daily life. Our goal is to provide kids with real-world knowledge about these animals so they become future environmental stewards.
Zoe Fisher: That’s such a great initiative! How did Green Kids Club first start?
Sylvia Medina: I’m an environmental engineer, and I moved to Idaho Falls for work. At first, I didn’t want to be here. I was from the Southwest and thought I’d freeze! But then I fell in love with the landscape. I could drive an hour and see moose, bears, and owls. That completely changed me.
I later founded an environmental engineering company called Northwind, which I ran for 15 years before selling it. After having kids, I wanted them to understand environmental stewardship, so I started writing stories. I had no background in publishing, but I figured I’d learn as I went. My books originally followed my own children, Maya, Victor, and Tiago, as the “Green Kids.”
Then, I connected with Elephants Without Borders and co-wrote a book with them about a rescued baby elephant. That was the start of our Environmental Hero Series—real-life stories of wildlife conservation. From there, we partnered with former Disney artists and wildlife conservation groups to bring more books to life.
Zoe Fisher: That’s such an incredible journey! What sets Green Kids Club apart from other environmental education programs?
Sylvia Medina: Unlike other authors who might publish one or two books about conservation, our entire mission is built around environmental storytelling. We also partner with conservation groups—for example, Project Chimps helps with chimpanzee rescue, and part of our book profits go to them.
We also highlight real animals—our books tell true stories, not just fictionalized tales. That connection makes a difference when teaching kids about conservation.
Zoe Fisher: That’s powerful! You mentioned working on 3D animation—can you tell me more?
Sylvia Medina: We’re currently collaborating with a Hollywood-based team to bring Yellowstone wildlife to life through animation. Kids from other countries hear about Yellowstone, but they’ve never seen it. Imagine them experiencing wolves, grizzlies, and geysers through a 3D experience—that’s what we want to create.
Zoe Fisher: That’s so exciting! You mentioned branding challenges—what strategies have helped grow awareness for Green Kids Club?
Sylvia Medina: Because we’re based in Idaho, we don’t have the same publishing access as someone in New York or LA. So we’ve taken a different approach:
- Licensing deals – We recently partnered with YaYa International to bring Green Kids Club to Southeast Asia.
- Trade shows – Attending the Licensing Show in Las Vegas helped us secure five new licenses.
- Park partnerships – We’re hoping to have our Yellowstone wolf book approved for national park stores.
It’s been a slow process, but we’re steadily expanding our reach.
“Surround yourself with really excellent people who know more than you do, who can help you be successful, and always make sure you have good cash flow.” Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Zoe Fisher: That’s great progress! How do you manage wearing so many hats as a small business owner?
Sylvia Medina: It’s definitely tough. We have a small but committed team—two artists, a book layout designer, and a marketing coordinator. We’re constantly juggling projects, but we believe in our mission. I also still have kids in school, so balancing everything is a challenge!
“We’ve sold thousands of the Grizzly 399 books. She was an iconic grizzly bear, almost 30 years old, who had 23 cubs.” Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Zoe Fisher: What advice would you give other small business owners just starting out?
Sylvia Medina: Surround yourself with great people and manage your cash flow carefully. When I ran my engineering company, I made sure we had steady income and financial stability. With Green Kids Club, I fund a lot of it myself, but my biggest piece of advice is: don’t take on debt unless absolutely necessary.
Also, never stop asking. When I wanted to co-write a book with wildlife photographer Tom Mangelsen, he said no three times. But I kept asking, and eventually, he agreed. That book—Grizzly 399—became one of our bestsellers. Persistence matters!
Zoe Fisher: That’s incredible advice! What’s next for Green Kids Club?
Sylvia Medina: We’re expanding into schools and working on books about wild horses, Yellowstone wolves, and orcas. I’d love to see our books become standard educational tools in classrooms. We’ve also started adapting some of our books for dyslexic readers, thanks to our partnership with Noah Text.
“Think about the things that you’re doing. Think about how you can make a difference. Think about how you can work with your friend next door who maybe doesn’t see things that way.” Sylvia Medina, Enviromental Engineer
Zoe Fisher: That’s amazing! Where can listeners connect with Green Kids Club and order books?
Sylvia Medina: Visit GreenKidsClub.com to order books, or check out LoveTheWild.org, our nonprofit that donates books to classrooms worldwide. If you know of a great environmental hero, reach out—we’re always looking for new stories!
Zoe Fisher: Perfect! Listeners, check out Green Kids Club and explore their inspiring environmental stories.
That’s a wrap on another episode of Behind The Print. Thanks to our listeners for joining us as we explore the artistry and innovation of the printing world. Remember, have a strong vision, build the right strategy, and use tools like print to amplify your message and make your brand stand out.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, be sure to get your sample pack today from PrintingCenterUSA.com and share it with your fellow business enthusiasts. Until next time, keep your creative sparks flying, and remember, there’s always more to discover behind the print.
Inspiring Young Conservationists, One Story at a Time!
From heartfelt storytelling to impactful education, Sylvia Medina from Green Kids Club brings environmental awareness to life through engaging children’s books and conservation initiatives. Her work fosters a love for nature and empowers kids to become future stewards of the planet. For Sylvia, we have been a trusted partner in crafting high-quality printed materials that bring her vision to life. Whether it’s educational books, classroom resources, or custom marketing materials, you can elevate your brand with professional printing. Order today!
