National Post (National Edition)
New WILD Outside conservation program creates commitment through action among youth volunteers
Canada’s youth get first-hand conservation experience while getting a real outdoor adventure and learning about community-building.
One of the most effective ways to create a connection between nature and young people is to provide them with conservation opportunities, allowing them to experience first-hand what it means to make a difference. That’s the focus of WILD Outside, a new program launched this year by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) to inspire conservation leadership in Canadian youth ages 15 to 18.
The new program joins the successful Canadian Conservation Corps, a nine-month experiential education program engaging young Canadians ages 18 to 30. Although the CWF is a national supporter based conservation charity, these two programs recently received funding from the federal government through the Canada Service Corps initiative, allowing both initiatives to reach even further across Canada.
The WILD Outside weekend program consists of two phases. In the first phase, young participants take part in an outdoor adventure journey designed to cultivate an appreciation for the environment and for natural spaces. Activities can include anything from rock climbing, cycling, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, outdoor cooking and nature walks to identify birds and plants, to winter activities such as snowshoeing, ice skating or cross-country skiing. In the second phase, participants devise a community-based action project that promotes conservation or benefits the environment. Participants are encouraged to dedicate approximately 120 hours to the WILD Outside program over the course of a year.
Tirian Eynon, WILD Outside program manager, believes passionately that doing, as much as learning, forges strong connections with conservation causes and the environment among young people.
“When you do something real, experience it yourself and see the impact that you’re making, connections are made that last a lifetime,” Eynon says. “You’re out in the wilderness — even the natural spaces in urban areas — and participating in a conservation activity or service program that creates lasting memories by engaging you physically and mentally. Later, you’ll be able to reflect on how that activity benefits the environment and positively impacts wildlife and the lives of other people.”
Eynon witnessed that level of engagement in early events that have included scavenger hunts in natural urban settings, parts of their community that participants may have visited but hadn’t yet thoroughly explored.
“They got so excited about spending that day in nature that they wanted to bring friends back with them,” says Eynon. “It’s communitybuilding. They realize that other people care about the environment and conservation, not just themselves alone.”
Conservation service projects that form the second part of the WILD Outside program may include anything from removal of invasive plant species to waterfront cleanup, taking a wildlife head count, maintaining parks and trails, or building wildlife habitats.
One new CWF program that’s been gaining significant traction is #GrowItDontMowIt, an initiative designed to change the way Canadians look at public and urban spaces. The program encourages municipalities and utilities to plant naturalized pollinator or community gardens along rights of way that may include roadsides, industrial areas, or land reserved for electrical transmission towers. It also encourages the planting of natural wildflower species in backyards and community gardens.
“We’re advocating that they grow native wildflower species and naturalize these properties to the extent that they can,” says Carolyn Callaghan, senior conservation biologist with CWF. “The health of pollinator species such as birds, bees and other insects is critical to the health of our environment, and providing them with flowering plants that attract and nourish them is an important effort. We see the possibility for WILD Outside participants to become local champions of the program, helping to seed native wildflowers and educating their communities about the importance of this endeavour.”
WILD Outside initially launched programs in Charlottetown, Halifax, Toronto and Calgary. Once Covid19 restrictions are removed, the program will resume in 10 new cities including Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg and St. John’s, Kitchener/Waterloo, Moncton, Regina, Saskatoon and Edmonton. In the meantime, staff are conducting virtual WILD Outside programs via webinars and online resources with a goal of engaging those youth still looking to connect.
“We encourage young people 15 to 18 to submit an online application to WILD Outside at WILDOutside.ca,”
Eynon says. “You can also visit the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s Facebook page to see what sorts of events we’re planning and what we’ve already done. Everybody’s welcome and even if you think it might be difficult for you to take part, let us know. We have resources that can help make WILD Outside happen for you.”
When you do something real, experience it yourself and see the impact that you’re making, connections are made that last a lifetime.