Youth Climate Action Fund

In fall 2023, with Town Council’s endorsement, Town of the Blue Mountains Mayor Andrea Matrosov attended COP28, the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Dubai and participated in the COP28 Local Climate Action Summit. Participating communities were presented with the opportunity to receive funding and technical assistance from Bloomberg Philanthropies to support local youth-driven climate action through the Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF). Council approved the Town’s involvement in early 2024, and the Town became one of 100 communities from around the world participating in the YCAF program.

In Round 1, announced in September 2024, the Town distributed over $44,000 in funding, supporting 8 projects across Saugeen Ojibway Nation traditional territory. In Round 2, announced in July 2025, they awarded over $73,000 to support 12 projects! That’s over 20 youth-led projects across the region!

Round 1 Projects 

• Aki Guardians – Youth facilitated guided nature walks featuring climate change-related education and involving youth participants in litter cleanup activities, supported by Bagida’waad Alliance.

• Envirothon Education: St. Mary’s High School students identified and pursued climate change education opportunities through field trips and shared what they learn with other students.

• Lake Monitoring using Remote Sensing in Bruce Peninsula National Park: A University of Guelph Master’s student completed research on the impacts of climate change on inland lakes, and shared 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 filmed a series of short videos featuring local climate initiatives, stories and experiences.

• Youth Climate, Sustainability and Engagement Summit: A post-secondary student coordinated a year-end event that will bring youth together with organizations and businesses in the environmental and sustainability sector.

• Natural pigment markers R&D: Youth investigated the possibility of using naturally sourced pigments to create a refillable, thus more sustainable marker. 

• Events for Life Education and Newsletters: Participants and youth leaders learned about climate change from local leaders, and collaborated to document and share what they learn through monthly newsletters.

Round 2 Projects 

• Living Snow Fences – St. Mary’s High School students will plant a natural tree buffer to improve winter road safety and help promote Grey County’s program

• Wiarton Bike Bus – Students will run bike-to-school events and build knowledge of bike safety and repair.

• Community Gardens & Urban Farming – St. Mary’s High School students will co-design and plant new gardens, including Indigenous methods at their school.

• Water & Woods: Reviving Nature Through Cleanup & Reforestation – Youth with non-profit organization Water Speaks will work with Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority to restore a section of the Nottawasaga River in The Blue Mountains

• Earthkeepers – Owen Sound District Secondary students will explore a model of developing and delivering climate change education for Hillcrest Elementary students.

• EcoFlow – Supported by Period Equity Alliance, youth will provide education on sustainable period product options and will provide free options in various public places.

• Get Our Festivals Clean – Youth will enhance the sustainability of Bandit Fest, a youth-led music festival, and will involve attendees in climate awareness, supported by United Way Grey Bruce.  

• Backyard Bird House project – Grey Highlands Secondary students will work with younger Beaver Valley Community students to learn about, design, build and distribute bird houses to enhance habitat and biodiversity.

• Butterfly Garden and Insect Hotels – Georgian Bay Community and Beaver Valley Community students will learn about, design, build and distribute insect hotels and will provide pollinator-friendly plants to families. 

• Endangered Species Mural – Walkerton District secondary students will create a mural to build awareness of endangered Ontario species for the Bluewater Outdoor Education Centre

• Pollinator Engagement and Education – Supported by Beaver Valley Outreach and Pollinate TBM, youth will create public art and installations to build awareness of pollinators and pollinator habitat in The Blue Mountains

• Community Gardens Food Security and Education – Youth will co-design a new community area at the CMHA Grey Bruce garden and food forest and deliver educational content.