YIP Going Green:  BC Youth in Philanthropy Groups Organize Environment Forum October 20-22, 2006

 The Evans Lake Forestry Education Society Camp near Squamish, BC, was the site of youth gearing up for environmental action, as young people from three continents participated in the Going Green youth forum. The event was organized by members of BC community foundation youth advisory councils (YACs), which make grants to worthwhile youth projects, undertake leadership activities, and work to build permanent youth endowment funds in their communities.  They are part of a growing international movement to engage youth in philanthropy, volunteerism and citizenship, and recognize that, by strategic use of their resources and networks, they can have greater impact on important social and environmental issues.     

In addition to British Columbia YAC members and their adult advisors, participants included youth from community foundations in Hamilton, Ontario and Kaliningrad,  Russia.   Together with Canadian and African youth involved in a Canada World Youth exchange program, they discussed important environmental issues and formulated plans to increase youth involvement in environmental issues in their communities. 

Participants learned about environment issues, and ideas and skills for action from environment and youth organizations such as Check Your Head, Smartgrowth, the Evergreen Foundation, and 20/20 Vision.   They also heard from YACs and community foundations that had already been involved in environmental grantmaking and leadership, such as the Hamilton Foundation YAC’s POET program (Protecting Our Environment Together), the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation’s “Garbage-free Lunch Days” and the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan ‘Youth in Action’ high school environmental grants program. A short documentary on water conservation produced by students attending Princess Margaret Secondary School in Penticton titled ‘Stop the Drip’ was featured. 

Before returning to their communities, participating youth made plans for action, staying in touch, and building on the Going Green experience at local, regional and international levels.  According to Quinn Runkle, 15, of the Sunshine Coast Community Foundation YAC:   “YACers will have more opportunities to go for things that really interest them, and I think that's super important for people to be able to find what part of environmental work really fits their needs.”