Traveller’s blog no 8 - Lauren

Monday, 24 March 2008 | posted by Matt_BC
Climate, Guildford 2008

Hello Guildford 60,

My spring break in Canada is just about wrapping up. I am sitting at my computer feeling a bit down after spending an amazing week with 29 youth environmental activists from across British Columbia, Canada. Together we traveled as a flotilla participating in the World Wildlife Fund's Young Leaders for a Living Planet program, where we traveled around the Gulf Islands learning about actions some people were taking to make a difference on this planet. For those of you who do not know, the Gulf Islands are islands tightly scattered in the Pacific Ocean along the west coast of Canada. The purpose of this program was to bring like minded youth together to share, innovate, and discuss solutions which could be used to tackle pressing environmental issues. We were also there to learn and be inspired by role models to initiate projects at our schools and in our communities.

I had trouble figuring out where to start, but I thought I'd first show you the boat I stayed on for six days. I was accompanied on the ship, Columbia III, with 9 other youth. We sailed along bird sanctuaries where the species populating the island is becoming extinct. We also encountered doll porpoises, seals, and sea lions that were sometimes in polluted waters along a paper mill factory. At one point, we stopped on Salts Spring Island to meet up with two marine biologists named Nikki Rice and David Denny. Divers brought up sea creatures from below and we were given intimate lessons about starfish, nudibranch, eel grass, urchins, and much more.

I even got the chance to be apart of a land restoration project on Galiano Island. I pulled out an invasive plant species called Scottish Broom which damages the soil and takes up valuable growing space for native plant species. Then we planted arbutus trees and hemlock trees to try and revive a land that had been heavily logged in the past.

Amidst all the cool things we got to do, there were also moments where we got down and serious. We spent a lot of time discussing what types of projects we could pursue, but also what obstacles we would face when trying to organize a project. There were moments when I was learning about the many failures environmentalists encounter when fighting for nature and sustainability. It seemed like when environmentalist take two steps forward, they had to take three steps back. However, this experience with the WWF provided me a lot of hope. I met inspirational people that devote themselves to supporting and educating youth about the environment. They taught me that I am never alone when I am fighting to protect nature. I learned there are people out there taking action in their community and although the action may be small, it is still a step forward towards a better tomorrow.

Since returning from Guildford, I have set up an environmental education program called Plan-et for the Future and have been working with young school kids in an after-school program, teaching them about the taking care of our planet through arts, crafts and games. I will be organizing schools to participate in Earth Hour, which will be held on March 29th, where schools will shut off all the lights for the lunch hour to save energy. I also hope to get elementary schools on board with WWF on the Footprint Challenge. This project challenges students to reduce their ecological footprint or impact on the environment by taking simple actions such as walking, biking, eating a vegetarian meal, turning off the lights, or taking 4 minute showers.

Well, this was just a snapshot of what I have been up to. I miss you all. Keep making a difference and be the change!!

- Lauren