All Senior – Groups

Landmark 28 (Help Something Damaged)

We enhanced the riparian buffer along a watercourse.

Gr. 11 Environmental Science Class – 10/25/2022

Landmark 19 (Explore Biodiversity)

As part of our Environmental Science classes, we asked ORCA staff to help rehabilitate parks (planting) and learn about the importance of biodiversity, plant identification, the importance of soil health, and stream assessment techniques related to supporting biodiversity.

Holy Cross CSS – October 6, 2022

Landmark 22 (Citizen Science)

Tree planting in a gravel pit to rehabilitate the ecosystem. Students planted a variety of tree species and learned about the importance of biodiversity and tree-planting techniques. (SEED SHSM students)

Holy Cross CSS – November 10, 2022

Landmark 28 (Help Something Damaged)

Tree planting in Ennismore with ORCA as part of the rehabilitation of a gravel pit. The students are from a grade 11 Environmental Science class and part of the Holy Cross SEED SHSM.

Holy Cross CSS – November 10, 2022

Landmark 28 (Help Something Damaged)

The YLS class planted a pollinator garden and created/planted a rain garden at the Beavermead Campground Kiosk in partnership with Otonabee Conservation. Over 100 native trees and plants into the ground today, and the rain garden will capture the runoff from the kiosk roof and have it recharge the groundwater instead of going overland into Mead creek and contributing to flooding.

Youth Leadership in Sustainability – October 12, 2022

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop for a Grade 11/12 class at Kenner Collegiate Vocational Institute (KPR) where we explored the importance of climate action through the lens of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We covered the impact UNDRIP created across the globe and the vital role UNDRIP plays in protecting Indigenous rights and climate action nationally and locally. In addition, we promoted discussions among students on how UNDRIP principles would ensure that Canada meets the universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples and an overall stronger degree of protection for Indigenous rights than those currently in place under Canadian law. We engaged students throughout the workshop using interactive activities on Slido and Kahoot. Students were encouraged to participate in reflections and discussions on how UNDRIP resonated with them and how their knowledge and understanding of UNDRIP can help to generate a positive impact in the local community.

The students were also encouraged to take action following this workshop. We proposed a few actions for students to take to create positive change in the local community. Please see below:

1. Write a letter to your local MP on the following topics (not limited to these): Curve Lake drinking water, Indigenous rights, pipelines, etc
2. Invite an Indigenous Leader as a class speaker (online or in-person)
3. Get outside and make a connection with landmarks, and plant/animal species that resonated with what you’ve learned
4. Create spoken word or art pieces on what you learned- share with us on social media or via email

kwic2021 – May 16, 2022

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop for Grade 11/12 in the Youth in Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) class where we explored the importance of climate action through the lens of the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We covered the impact UNDRIP created across the globe and the vital role UNDRIP plays in protecting Indigenous rights and climate action in Canada and locally. In addition, we discussed with students on how UNDRIP principles would ensure that Canada meets the universal framework of minimum standards for the survival, dignity and well-being of the Indigenous Peoples and an overall stronger degree of protection for Indigenous rights than those currently in place under Canadian law. We engaged students throughout the workshop using interactive activities on Slido and Kahoot. Students were encouraged to participate in reflections and discussions on how UNDRIP resonated with them and how their knowledge and understanding of UNDRIP can help to generate a positive impact in the local community.

The students were also encouraged to take action following this workshop. We proposed a few actions for student to take to create positive change in the local community. Please see below:

1. Write a letter to your local MP on the following topics (not limited to these): Curve Lake drinking water, Indigenous rights, pipelines, etc
2. Invite an Indigenous Leader as a class speaker (online or in-person)
3. Get outside and make a connection with landmarks, plant/animal species that resonated with what you’ve learned
4. Create spoken word or art pieces on what you learned- share with us on social media or via email

Kawartha World Issues Centre – January 5, 2022

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

The workshop focused on the importance of taking action within the Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) framework and various ways youth can take action to address some of the most pressing and challenging issues in the local context. They explored their understanding of youth as agents of change and the steps needed to create social change in society. We covered different ways agents of change can influence others to create positive impact in the local community and shift social values to generate long-lasting change in society. Finally, we ended the workshop by hosting a class discussion on a problem case study and finding ways to address the issues presented.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – November 1, 2021

Landmark 28 (Help Something Damaged)

Habitat restoration (tree planting) at a municipal storm water management pond.

Holy Cross CSS – September 17, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

The class explored the importance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a local lens and the critical role youth action can play in making positive change in the community, including raising public awareness, motivating each other and involving the people around them. Throughout the workshop, we identified local social issues, such as poverty, homelessness, environmental impacts, that concerned students and brainstormed solutions that will help to build a more sustainable and just future for all.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – October 25, 2021

Landmark 28 (Help Something Damaged)

The class worked with ORCA to plant approximately 400 trees as part of the Selwyn Aggregate pit rehabilitation project. Red pine, white pine, white spruce and cedar were planted and then mulched for moisture retention. The trees will generate biodiversity, sequester carbon and rehabilitate the soil. ORCA’s Meredith did a wonderful job getting everything organized and Paul led the tree planting 101 session.
Nothing quite so nourishing for the soul than planting a tree … or 400 🙂

Youth Leadership in Sustainability – October 1, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop on Youths As Agents of Change in the SDGs (Workshop 2) for three classes at Hillcrest Public School, Cobourg Collegiate Institute, and Adam Scott CVI. during the Environmental Symposium event hosted by PVNCCDSB and KPRDSB. Students were introduced to topics such as the 17 SDGs and the importance of youths in the SDGs. We highlighted the principles of sustainable development and how the 2030 Agenda applies to all of the world’s 1.2 billion young people. We engaged students in conversation on collective agreement and creating positive change in their communities. In addition, we took a closer look at examples illustrating youths across the globe and in Canada who are taking action against unfair and unjust systems. Students were encouraged to create their own social media posts exploring local actions and issues related to the 17 SDGs.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 27, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop engaging students in a Grade 11 class at the Thomas A Stewart Secondary School on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We covered topics including an introduction to the 17 SDGs, localization of the SDGs, and youths as agents of change in the Agenda 2030. Students participated in discussions on some of the most pressing global challenges of our time, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice. We explored case studies on the localization of the SDGs in PTBO, Canada, and across the world. An in-depth example of SDG localization in PTBO was provided based on the SDG project that KWIC had been working on in collaboration with GreenUP in the past year.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 25, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop engaging students in a Grade 11 class studying at Virtual High School during their morning session. Topics we covered during the workshop include the following: an overview of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) Principle, and the importance of youths in the SDGs. We concluded our workshop with case studies and examples illustrating youths taking action to address some of the most urgent issues in PTBO and across Canada. Students also participated in a brief poetry and songwriting session during the workshop expressing their thoughts on the SDGs and issues affecting them and their communities.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – June 9, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a virtue workshop (Workshops 3 and 4 combined) to introduce students to the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Youths as Agents of Change in the Agenda 2030 at the Lakefield District Public School (same class, but different workshops). The students explored topics including how localization work and why it is important, as well as how youths can get involved and make positive change in their communities. We covered topics including poverty, climate change, and access to clean water and engaged students in discussions on how and why these issues still persist. We also included an interesting case study exploring Ontario Youth Climate Case where 7 young climate leaders come together and launched a lawsuit against the Ontario government for climate inaction.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 10, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a workshop on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for two classes at the Virtual St. Thomas School during the Environmental Symposium event hosted by PVNCCDSB and KPRDSB. Students were introduced to topics such as the 17 SDGs and localization of the SDGs. We emphasized the principles of Leaving No One Behind and the importance of the livelihood of all people as well as issues involving fair and just systems. In addition, we took a closer look at case studies on the localization of the SDGs and how plans of action can meet the needs of local communities so that they can better support communities, households, and individuals, particularly those who are at risk of falling behind. Students were encouraged to create their own social media posts about the SDGs and issues they are passionate about in their communities.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 27, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

We hosted a virtue workshop (Workshops 1 and 2 combined) to introduce students to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the central idea of Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) in the Agenda 2030 at the Lakefield District Public School. The students explored topics including how the SDGs work and why they are important as well as the key challenges of addressing LNOB in Canada and the Peterborough area. We covered topics and stories of individuals experiencing poverty, homelessness, and low income and engaged students in discussions on how and why these issues still persist. Moreover, we also included an interesting case study exploring a prison in Malawi where human waste is used to fertilize their vegetable gardens and help to fuel their busy kitchens for their 200 inmates. We talked to the students about how this project aims to improve the living conditions of prisoners by reducing frequent blockages of the sewer system, increasing their access to healthy vegetables, and gardening skills.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 7, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

In this workshop, we engaged students from a Grade 9 Geography class at Adam Scott CVI (same class but different workshop) in topics surrounding the localization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and why youth engagement is so important in propelling the SDGs forward. We talked about the different ways students bring positive social change in their community by raising awareness of the SDGs and taking part in different initiatives and programs that are ongoing. Moreover, we discussed the localization of the SDGs in Peterborough and the 5 priority action areas identified by a community forum in 2019 addressing no poverty, quality education, climate change, indigenous leadership, clean water and sanitation.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 20, 2021

Landmark 29 (Social Justice)

During this workshop, we engaged students in a Grade 9 Geography class from Adam Scott CVI. The topics we covered include an introduction to the Sustainable Development Goals framework, the Leave no one Behind (LNOB) principle and the application of LNOB at local, national and global levels. At the local level, we explored who is left behind in Peterborough and the County and issues why groups of individuals are left behind. We also looked at factors such as poverty, discrimination and social-economic status as root causes for those who are left behind. In a global context, we examined the links between internal displacement and climate change and how climate change exacerbates the living conditions for many living in different part of the world.

Kawartha World Issues Centre – May 18, 2021