Learn about the EcoSchools Youth Advisory Committee!
The YAC is an engaging group of youth creative leaders and community members who are aiming to bring their perspectives into the EcoSchools program.
What is the YAC?
The YAC was created in 2020 to bring greater youth leadership and voice to the EcoSchools program, with a focus on environmental and climate action. The committee is an opportunity for youth to bring their perspectives into the EcoSchools program by providing guidance and insight, as well as a space to learn, share new skills, knowledge, and teachings to support environmental action within their school communities.
What are the benefits of joining the EcoSchools Youth Advisory Committee?
Share and explore ideas for tangible climate and environmental action within an open, participatory space.
Impact environmental education and action in schools from coast to coast through your leadership and insight.
Learn and share new skills/knowledge to support community building and caring within environmental action.
Connect with youth from diverse schools/regions and grow a web of collaborators and mutual support.
Access collaborative and creative support for campaigns/projects through.
Gain volunteer hours.
What are the Committee’s principles?
The EcoSchools Youth Advisory Committee is based on principles of intergenerational and intercultural collaboration, where reciprocity, knowledge sharing, and shared decision making are practiced. The YAC strives to be a space for youth to explore and express their perspectives, cultivate new learnings and grow within a caring community. The YAC mutually creates a code of best practices to center mindfulness, self-awareness, empathy, integrity and communication throughout the gatherings.
What is the commitment for members of the YAC?
Join the YAC for the current school year (October 2023 to June 2024).
Participate in the monthly gathering (virtual). Each gathering will be 1 hour, which can be flexible. If additional time is required, members will be notified in advance.
About 1 to 2 additional hours of work each month.
Who is eligible to apply?
This opportunity is available to students enrolled in secondary school during the current academic school year (2023-24) who are going to a school within Canada.
EcoSchools values the celebration and inclusion of diverse cultures and identities. We encourage youth self-identifying as LGBTQ2+, BIPOC, people with disabilities, people who live outside urban areas, and people who are members of diverse cultural, religious, and linguistic communities to apply. EcoSchools hopes to open participatory spaces where diversity is represented and amplified, creating a growing web of mindful relationships.
No prior leadership experience is needed. We believe all unique stories and experiences can benefit environmental stewardship and community building.
Who are the current YAC members?
Ainsley
TDSB, grade 12
Hardworking, reliable, creative
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“To me, the environment refers to all aspects of the Earth, including land, water, and air. A big part of the environment is the living organisms on Earth, and how they rely on other abiotic aspects of the environment. A community is a group of people with a shared characteristic that unites them.”
Alex
YRDSB, grade 12
Elephant, curious, steadfast
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“When I think of “environment,” I often picture sunshine. It’s the source of life for everything on this planet—from the birds to the ocean to you and me. The sun powers the environment by illuminating its wonder and magic. When I think of “environment” and “community” together, one word that comes to mind is earth. We live on this planet together, and we share the universal goal of safeguarding our land for those that come after us. And when we work as one, inspired and determined by the same goal, that’s community for me. I believe we’re all part of one large community, and there’s so much we can do within to uplift each other and preserve our beautiful planet.”
Darsveer
Delta School District, grade 11
Motivated, resilient, collaborative
What does environment mean to you?
“The environment encompasses us, connects us, a finite resource that sustains all life as we know it. We as a community who reside in this environment must protect it and ensure that the benefits and the beauty of it last a lifetime.”
Izabelle
TDSB, grade 12
Compassionate, hardworking, enthusiastic
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“Environment is a space for people to grow. It has a major impact on the person and who they become. I think this applies within the context of the natural world as well. The environment is so important to how people live and experience the world. Nature helps inspire, calm and engage the lives of all living things and we would be incomplete without it. Community is a space for people with a shared experience or set of values to connect. I find that in my life, I have been welcomed into many communities that help me better express myself and what I want to share with the world. Things like my art, stories and activism have been shared to the outside world thanks to the support of my communities.”
Jasmine
Independent/private, grade 11
Compassionate, Inquisitive, Empathetic
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“To me, the environment and community are deeply interconnected. A community bonds people together, but it is the most effective within a safe and healthy environment, both social and natural. Simultaneously, maintaining and enhancing a safe and healthy environment requires collaborative efforts from community members. Both the environment and the surrounding community profoundly impact us and influence our lives in many ways.”
Jerin
Peel, grade 12
Objective, goal-oriented, leader
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“The environment can be compared to a composer leading a symphony of life because of its complex nature. It directs the complex harmonies of ecosystems, coordinating the interaction of numerous factors to support every aspect of life. Despite our occasionally careless actions, the essential gifts of energy and the clean, life-giving air are given to us by an ever-giving friend. A community is fundamentally like a carefully stitched-together quilt of lives. Each individual makes up a unique thread that is woven into a strong fabric with a common goal. It is a dynamic network where people with various backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints come together. It is where the skill of teamwork is fostered as individuals work together to accomplish a symphony of feats that improve the lives of everyone involved.”
Jordyn
HWDSB, grade 12
Nerd, determined, kind
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“To me, environment means the space we move through in our daily lives, on both a social and ecological premise, it is a space we all share, and must preserve, for our own sake as well as everyone else’s now and forever. Community makes up the people within our environment, and who we share this responsibility with. No matter who you are, all of us within our communities must do our best to take care of the space we inhabit.”
Kaarhunyaa
OCSB, grade 11
Caring, Passionate, and Responsible
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“To me, “environment” means the world around me that provides me with every single opportunity that I have. The environment is one of the most important aspects of our lives. The environment is the heart of the world that we must keep alive and preserve so future generations can see the true beauty of our environment. The environment is the nature around us that motivates us to care for our planet. To me, “community” is the word that is used to describe the people and environment that unite us together. It fuels my passion and commitment to helping others. It represents the bonds we share, reminding us of the significance of connection, support, and collective well-being. Our communities are what tie us together to promote change and preserve our environment.”
Sarah
YRDSB, grade 12
Compassionate, wildlife, hard-working
What does “environment” and/or “community” mean to you?
“To me, “environment” means a shared community. This community is shared by people, animals, and plants, and we must nurture it. The environment is like a habitat that we must take care of and sustain for future generations.”
Yasmine
YCDB, grade 12
Loving, sky, passion
What does “environment” mean to you?
“To me, “environment” encompasses everything around us that impacts our lives, including nature, our homes, and our cities. It’s crucial for our well-being and future generations, and I firmly believe that we need to take care of it in order to maintain a healthy and sustainable planet.”
Past YAC Members
“My involvement with the YAC has been a great experience for me. I have gained many new skills that I can use further on in my life. I am very happy that I made the decision to join the YAC, I never would have learned what I have learned here, anywhere else”. – 2020-21 YAC member
