Over 125 Students Gather for Fourth Annual Youth Climate Action Conference

On October 28, over 125 elementary students and more than 27 educators from 24 schools across Grey and Bruce counties gathered at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound for the fourth annual Youth Climate Action Conference (YCAC). The event provided a platform for students, educators, and community organizations to come together, learn, and collaborate on climate action initiatives.

The day opened with the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Drummers and a land blessing, followed by remarks from Saugeen First Nation Chief Conrad Ritchie and Chippewas of Nawash Acting Chief Jessica Keeshig-Martin. Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs introduced the keynote presentation by St. Mary’s High School teacher John Watkins and students from the Green Industries program. Watkins and his students shared their experience designing, installing, and planting several new community garden spaces at their school with support from the Town of The Blue Mountains Youth Climate Action Fund.

Over the course of the day, students participated in hands-on workshops that explored water, land, and energy themes, facilitated by organizations such as Grey Sauble Conservation Authority, the Saugeen Ojibway Nation Coastal Waters Monitoring Program, and local community changemakers. Through one workshop, students planted a mini forest of 160 trees and shrubs on the Bayshore property. Students also participated in a Changemaking 101 workshop, where they explored what brings them joy, their superpower, and what’s needed in the world to help them come up with an action project.

“Grey County is proud to support this initiative and see YCAC continue to grow and inspire young people across our region,” said Grey County Warden Andrea Matrosovs. “Both student participants and the student leaders are developing the skills and passion needed to drive meaningful climate action for years to come.”

The day concluded with students sharing their project ideas in an energized session at the end of the day including creating pollinator gardens and starting a school composting program.

While students were in sessions, teachers participated in a full day of professional development on how to connect climate to their curriculum, led by Learning for a Sustainable Future.

The conference was organized by The Sustainability Project, with support from Learning for a Sustainable Future, Grey County, City of Owen Sound, Bluewater District School Board, Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board, local climate action teams, and financial contributions from over 10 community organizations.

The conference supports the work of Grey County's climate change action plan, Going Green in Grey. To learn more about Grey County's Climate Action Plan, Going Green in Grey, visit grey.ca/climate-action. For more information on the conference or to learn about becoming a year-round school mentor for student action projects, visit ycac.info.

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For more information, contact:

Rob Hatten, Grey County Communications Manager at communications [at] grey.ca (communications[at]grey[dot]ca) or 548-877-0730

Leigh Grigg, The Sustainability Project Board Member at scaleupprojects [at] gmail.com (scaleupprojects[at]gmail[dot]com) or 519-270-8041

Additional Background

After a successful inaugural conference in March 2023 that brought together 50 students from Owen Sound schools, The Sustainability Project, in partnership with Grey County and other community organizations, has grown the event significantly. The second conference in November 2023 hosted over 60 students from 10 schools, while the third conference in November 2024 welcomed over 130 students and 30 educators from 27 schools.

This year, The Sustainability Project and Grey County continued their partnership with Learning for a Sustainable Future (LSF), a national charity that has been working for over 30 years to integrate sustainability education into Canada's school system. LSF brings expertise and federal funding, which supports release time for educators to participate, action project funding, and event coordination.