Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors

Who are Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors?

Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors are university and high school students living in the Greater Golden Horseshoe, who are concerned about the environment and the ongoing protection of the Greenbelt. Youth Ambassadors work together to educate fellow students, the general public and elected officials about the importance of maintaining and protecting the Greenbelt. They learn about, celebrate and speak for the protected lands that maintain healthy local environments and communities.

What is the Greenbelt?

The Greenbelt is a highly protected area known to safeguard natural resources that clean our air and water and mitigates the impacts of climate change. To learn more, click the image below for EcoSpark’s interactive StoryMap about Southern Ontario’s Greenbelt.

What does a Greenbelt Youth Ambassador do?

Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors explore the riches of Ontario’s Greenbelt, including the farmland, forests, wetlands and watersheds. In turn they encourage others to understand its benefits, and advocate for its ongoing protection for future generations.   

Youth Ambassadors learn:

• About the importance of the Greenbelt and the role it plays in filtering our water, cleaning the air, reducing impacts of climate change, providing healthy local food and recreational opportunities for surrounding communities;

• The threats to the Greenbelt and the roles of public policy and planning;

• To network with people working for the ongoing protection of the Greenbelt;

• The skills to effectively communicate their newly gained knowledge to community members and local officials; 

• About career pathways to become community organizers and leaders in the environmental movement;   

• To work towards a better future for themselves and others.

How will Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors advocate their message?  

Youth Ambassadors will work within three levels:

Youth Ambassadors will:

• Work with other Youth Ambassadors within their region to identify, track and respond to local issues affecting their area;

• Work with Youth Ambassadors from other regions focused on similar issues impacting the Greenbelt in their area;

• Attend and organize community events and meetings to promote the benefits of the Greenbelt;

• Develop and execute communications strategies and plans, including both traditional media and social media campaigns;

• Plan, organize and lead Greenbelt Youth Ambassador events and meetings.

Why should you become a Greenbelt Youth Ambassador?

• Become an environmental leader in your community;

• Learn to create a positive impact on the Greater Golden Horseshoe and your local community;

• Explore Ontario’s Greenbelt through interactive bus tours and annual Ambassador retreats; 

• Meet and make friends with like-minded individuals and professionals;

• Gain experience to add to your resume (with an official letter from EcoSpark).

• Registration and Participation is FREE!

What have previous Ambassadors done?

Check out this BLOG and take a look at the sites and issues explored by the Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors during the 2019 Fall Greenbelt Tour.

How can I participate in the program?   

Phase I: Greenbelt bus tours

Physically explore sites first-hand
Each Spring and Fall our new Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors experience first-hand what the Greenbelt has to offer. Participants will get to explore sites such as bee farms, special-designated Greenbelt trails, orchard farms, old-growth forested areas, quarry pits (active and rehabilitated) etc.

Participants will see how development affects these local sites and the natural ecosystems. They will hear from experts on land use issues and the impact of policy and planning on urban growth and local communities. Likewise, participants will meet and hear from people living and working on the Greenbelt, who will talk about the many roles the Greenbelt plays in their lives and supporting Ontario’s economy.

Phase II: Ambassador Retreats

After Your Bus Tour, It Gets Even Better
Ambassadors retreats are opportunities for all Ambassadors to come together and share their experiences from their respective tours, expand their knowledge, and plan future events to spread the message about the Greenbelt. Participants will be involved in a series of professionally led workshops, focused on skills development and program and project planning.

Workshops will include:

• leadership and team building skills

• fun outdoor activities

• grassroots advocacy

• event planning and promotion

• effective social media outreach

• communication and engagement skills (e.g. letter writing to your local MP, public speaking skills)

To get the latest program updates, follow the Greenbelt Youth Ambassadors on Instagram @greenbelt_youth

For questions and inquiries about the Greenbelt Youth Ambassador program
greenbeltyas@ecospark.ca