We connect youth from across the City with each other and with local opportunities to make a positive impact on the environment. We aim to create the next generation of local eco-heroes through youth mentoring youth, environmental leadership opportunities and participation in tree planting, event greening, and more.
The BurlingtonGreen Youth Network (BGYN).... Do you attend a Burlington high school? Are you passionate about the environment? Do you want to learn how YOU can make a difference? Whether you are a member of an eco-club, have a general interest in the environment, or want to know where to start, we want to hear from YOU!
By sharing ideas, resources, successes and by working together on school and community eco-projects, we can have a greater impact with a louder voice.
Join us at the Art Gallery of Burlington for the opening of their new exhibit "Divisions of Labour" which highlights the waste generated by the art industry. An "Artist Material Fund" will be created to help share and divert artist materials that are no longer being used - free for all to attend!
Where: Art Gallery of Burlington, 1333 Lakeshore Road, Burlington
When: 7pm-9pm
BurlingtonGreen will be participating in the Free Fare Fair! A workshop to teach participants how to upcycle, repair and divert waste! BYO-Tee to make product bags with our team!
Check out these videos about our youth network:
BGYN Cafeteria waste audit
The BurlingtonGreen Youth Network has created a Cafeteria Waste Audit to be conducted in each Burlington high school.
The waste audit investigates the type of products used in cafeterias, how they are disposed of, and the educational efforts at the school around reducing waste. The information collected is used to create a ranking of the high schools based on their waste diversion efforts.
Learn more about the Waste Audit and how to conduct it at your school!
What do BGYN members have to say about the Network?
Being a part of the BGYN Youth Council has been one of the best experiences...
Being a part of the BGYN Youth Council has been one of the best experiences of my life! I have learned so much, from both the youth and the facilitators of the group, about how to lead a sustainable lifestyle and make environmentally conscious decisions. Moreover, it has been so fulfilling and inspiring to volunteer with BGYN because I have personally seen how the work we’ve done has made a difference in our community. I am so proud of the growth I have experienced by being a BGYN volunteer and would recommend for anyone to do the same!
My experiences with the Youth Network have truly transformed...
"My experiences with the Youth Network have truly transformed me as a person, and have positively influenced many other youth like me. The BurlingtonGreen Youth Network is what I describe as a powerful grassroots catalyst for very real and exciting youth-led action in improving the environment both locally and globally...I believe that the Network is a deeply vital and necessary program for the present and future well-being of the community. Aside from its crucial role in facilitating action by youth for the environment, the most precious element of the Network is its unique ability to creatively instill an unyielding spirit and drive and motivation and potential in each youth who participates in the program."
My experience as a BGYN member has been the absolute most motivating...
"My experience as a BGYN member has been the absolute most motivating, empowering, educational and impactful volunteer opportunity I've ever had to date. This organization has influenced my life in more ways than I ever thought possible. Most importantly it has enabled me to find full potential in my passion for the environment…One of the most memorable experiences I have with the BGYN was helping to organize Burlington’s first Environmental Youth Conference. Working with an innovative team to plan and run a day of environmental action and inspiration for 400 youth was an invaluable teamwork, event planning and organizing experience. There is nothing else like the BurlingtonGreen Youth Network."
BurlingtonGreen’s tireless commitment to engaging youth...
"BurlingtonGreen’s tireless commitment to engaging youth as today’s environmental leaders is truly inspiring. As a professional Community Worker who has worked with youth in a range of non-profit sectors, I have been absolutely astounded with the energy and devotion BGYN’s youth members have invested in creating and encouraging positive environmental change. By offering youth-focused environmental programming that provides youth with valuable skills and opportunities, BurlingtonGreen not only has positive impacts on the natural environment, but also in the lives and futures of young people; they are truly “EcoMentors” in every sense of the word."
–Josh Stevenson, EcoMentors Program Manager, Earth Day Canada
BGYN TAKES ON CLEAN UP GREEN UP!
Every April, BurlingtonGreen hosts this citywide event inviting all sectors of the community to get involved in cleaning up our beautiful city. To date, over 77,300 participants have joined the collective effort resulting in cleaner parks, streams, schoolyards and neighbourhoods! BurlingtonGreen wants both BGYN members and non-members to mark their calendars ( April 22-28, 2019) and come out to this year’s Clean Up Green Up event! Click here to see the details.
BGYN EVERY MONTH AT NUVO!
Our youth meetings are typically held the first Thursday of every month from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at 1295 North Service Road (please check our BGYN Facebook page for confirmation of the date and location, as sometimes it changes for special events). All of our meetings are zero waste so please bring your own reusable water bottle for your drink. We provide the snacks!
“I think this is amazing, I always look forward to the meetings. Something like this is long overdue!”
“I wish it were more than once a month!”
“My favourite things about the Network are collaborating with other youth and all the volunteer opportunities.”
“It's the best way to meet with environmental club members from schools in Burlington to share ideas.”
"The BGYN is all about working together to work smarter not harder! There are 9 high schools in Burlington and if we all work together to achieve our common goals we'll be a lot more effective than if we went at it separately! Everyone is welcome, just contact me to get involved!"
The BurlingtonGreen Youth Network (BGYN)....
BGYN Cafeteria waste audit
Our youth meetings are typically held the first Thursday of every month from 5:00pm – 7:00pm at 1295 North Service Road (please check our BGYN Facebook page for confirmation of the date and location, as sometimes it changes for special events). All of our meetings are zero waste so please bring your own reusable water bottle for your drink. We provide the snacks!
