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www.insidehalton.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, June 16, 2017 | 14 akvillegreen Conservation O Association’ Youth Stewards (OCAYS) wrapped up a successful year of hands-on ecology training with a tee planting and youth leadership event at Shell Park on June 3. Forty-four youths planted trees, enjoyed a scavenger hunt and lunch, and participated in a youth leadership workshop presented by Our Kids Network. Youths from CYAN (Community Youth in Action Network) and HENS (Halton Environmental Network) Ambassador program also joined in the fun. The first year of the OCAYS program was a wonderful success with over 160 students, aged 13-18, participating in monthly ecological re workshops and monitoring pro) The “OCAYS program helped urban youths connect to nearby Through hands-on workshops ahout pollinators, salamander monitoring, invasive _species, arboriculture, identifying uees and plants, and bird banding, youths learned about local conservation issues and actions they can take to be part of the solution. Workshops, monitoring projects, 5 3 week we showcase topics cho local youths. a SEND US YOUR NEWS: story or photo to share, we’ best to publish it on this page. it to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver. com, along with your name and a brief paragraph about why you want to share it with our readers. Forty-four youths took part in a tree planting and leadership event at Shell Park to wrap up the inaugural year of Oakvillegreen Conservation Association’s Youth Stewards (OCAYS). They were joined by youths from CYAN (Community Youth in Action Network) and others from the Ambassador program run by HEN (Halton Environmental Network). fieldwork, and job shadowing days, were facilitated by experts from Conservation Halton, Ontario Nau, Ontario Invasive Plant council, the ‘flown of Oakville, and era other local organizations and ecologists. In addition to hands-on taining and field experience, OCAYS volunteers also gained volunteer hours. At the Shell Park celebration, | photos courtesy Oakvillegreen six OCAYS, who completed the program requirements, including participating in three workshops and events throughout the year and promoting conservation action in their schools completion certificates OCAYS monthly events will resume in September Youths can enrol in the OCAYS program here: http/oakvillegreen. org/programs/oakvillegreen-youth- stewards/. Find out = more — about Oalvillegreenis other education and programs and events at Ipoeeen org, villegreen Conservation Association Youth Stewards has been generously supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Oakvillegreen is a not-for-profit community organization founded in 1999. It strives to make Oakville a living city with enhanced biodiversity and healthier green spaces and to Teconnect people to the natural their awareness of importance of nature and move them to action to protect, enhance and restore Oakvilles natural environment. — submitted by Giuliana Casimir, executive director, Oakvillegreen Conservation Association, Tel: 289-813-1568 Fmail: ed@oakvillegreen.org MADE IN. (*) CANADA : FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 35 YEARS. > Laurentide == MANUFACTURER SHOWROOM 111 Brockley Dr., Hamilton, Ontario Visit our showroom online @ www.laurentidekitchens.ca Monday-Friday 9am-4:30pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday & Evenings by appt. only SAILA 905.573.2311