The Town of The Blue Mountains is pleased to announce it is supporting eight initiatives through the Youth Climate Action Fund.
The Town of The Blue Mountains was one of 100 communities worldwide to receive $50,000 USD to distribute as microgrants of $1,500 to $6,000 CAD to fund youth-led climate initiatives. Through the application process, the Town received and selected eight eligible submissions totalling $44,275 dollars.
To be eligible, the projects are new initiatives that will be led and implemented by youth between the ages of 15 and 24 within the traditional territory of Saugeen Ojibway Nation. Eligible projects support the Town’s climate change goals from either The Blue Mountains Future Story, the Town’s sustainability plan, or Going Green in Grey, Grey County’s Climate Action Plan. Each of the selected youth-led projects is supported by an eligible sponsoring organization and youth leaders will work to complete their projects by December 31, 2024.
“We have been pleased to receive and select eight excellent applications to help support youth-led climate education, research and action since we launched the program in early June,” said Town of The Blue Mountains Mayor Andrea Matrosovs. “Youth have great ideas about making a difference but sometimes do not have the means to enact them. This is a project fund that allows us to support them and provide the funding for small projects with big impact. We look forward to supporting these young leaders as they work to implement their meaningful and creative projects.”
The initiatives selected to receive funding are:
- Aki Guardians: guided nature walks in The Blue Mountains featuring climate change-related education and involving youth participants in litter cleanup activities, supported by Bagida’waad Alliance
- Envirothon Education: an Envirothon student group at St. Mary’s High School in Owen Sound will identify and pursue climate change education opportunities through field trips and will share what they learn with other students
- Remote sensing monitoring of inland lakes in Bruce Peninsula National Park: a Master’s student working with the University of Guelph and Parks Canada will use water level loggers and satellite data to research the impacts of climate change on inland lakes, and will share information about the research design and preliminary results with other youth
- Tiny Forest: a high school student supported by Beaver Valley Outreach and Climate Action Now Network will engage other youth in the design and planting of a tiny forest on a parcel of land in The Blue Mountains
- Green Grey Blue Mini Series: two post-secondary students will film a series of short videos featuring local and regional climate change initiatives, stories and experiences to help foster a sense of environmental stewardship and community pride
- Youth Climate, Sustainability and Engagement Summit: a post-secondary student will coordinate a year-end event that will bring youth together with organizations and businesses in the environmental and sustainability sector
- Natural pigment markers R&D: a post-secondary student and recent graduate will investigate the possibility of using naturally sourced pigments and alternative casing solutions for a more sustainable marker.
- Events for Life Education and Newsletters: participants and youth leaders with Events for Life will learn about climate change from local leaders, and will collaborate to document and share what they learn through monthly newsletters
For more information about the Youth Climate Action Fund, please visit the Town of The Blue Mountains website at www.thebluemountains.ca/YCAF or contact:
Nicholas Cloet
Sustainability Coordinator
Town of The Blue Mountains
(519) 599-3131 ext. 235
About Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund:
Kickstarted at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Innovation Studio at COP28, as a part of the Local Climate Action Summit, the Bloomberg Philanthropies Youth Climate Action Fund provides cities with the tools, techniques, and supports to leverage innovation approaches that invite and foster robust youth collaboration in climate problem-solving and policymaking.
The Town of The Blue Mountains received $50,000 USD to distribute microgrants to fund youth-led climate initiatives as part of the Youth Climate Action Fund.
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 700 cities and 150 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on creating lasting change in five key areas: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a philanthropic consultancy that advises cities around the world. In 2023, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $3 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org, sign up for their newsletter, or follow them on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and X.
