The BGYN has been working with Jane Goodall's Roots & Shoots program to contribute to the impact they are making all across Canada! In addition to sharing the great work we have done in Burlington with other Roots & Shoots groups across Canada we are now helping them to promote the call for members of the Roots & Shoots Youth Leadership Council (YLC).

"Roots & Shoots, a program of the Jane Goodall Institute, is a powerful, youth-driven, global network of more than 8,000 groups in almost 100 countries. Together, youth of all ages are taking action to improve our world through service learning projects that promote care and concern for animals, the environment and the human community."

They are seeking enthusiastic, committed youth ambassadors to implement Roots & Shoots programs and support members, while strengthening their own leadership skills.

Benefits of being part of the YLC

• Leadership development and training
• Hands-on projects to enhance skills
• Connection to Roots & Shoots global network of youth
• National and/or international opportunities

• Get to know like-minded youth across the country

Roles & Expectations of the YLC

• Organize Roots & Shoots projects and events
• Engage local Roots & Shoots groups and provide mentorship
• Conduct outreach and increase awareness of JGI programs and Roots & Shoots in your community
• Work collaboratively with other YLC members
• Attend monthly meetings beginning July 2012

Preference will be given to candidates who are**

• Between the ages of 16 -- 25
• Passionate about making a difference in the world
• Interested in developing sustainable solutions to real problems
• Well-rounded, critical-thinking and diverse youth, with strengths in:
- Time management and organization
- Project and event planning
- Interpersonal skills
- Environmental, international development, humanitarian, green enterprise and/or animal-welfare issues
- Communications and social media

*Youth with little experience in these areas, but very eager to learn are encouraged to apply!

Download an application here:
http://www.janegoodall.ca/about-work-volunteering.php#YLC2012

Please send your completed application, along with resume and one reference letter to:
Cari Bourrie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to 416-978-3717

Interviews will be conducted during the last two weeks of May.

Call 416-978-4799 with questions.

Deadline to apply: Sunday, May 20th, 2012

**Please note that there are a limited number of spaces available for the 2012-13 Roots & Shoots YLC term. Members will be selected based on experience (in Roots & Shoots and related activities), desire, geographic diversity, and commitment to the duration of the term (July 2012 to June 2013). Please also note that these are unpaid positions.

Are you passionate about protecting our environment? Do you want to help teach younger kids about what they can do for the planet?

We are too!!!!

The BurlingtonGreen Youth Network has worked with the Earth Day Canada EcoMentors Program for a few years helping to organize local training events, sending guest speakers to their events and leading EcoMentors workshops in our schools and communities.

The BGYN had several members that are qualified to run EcoMentor training sessions & would love to lead one for your school eco-club/green team or other community groups you may be involved with.

What exactly is an EcoMentor?

EcoMentors are self-motivated youth who are passionate about the environment. They have been trained to facilitate environmental education workshops and engage their peers and other young people. EcoMentor workshops take place in a wide range of settings. Examples include...

• Schools and educational classes
• After-school programs and clubs
• Community and recreational centres
• Faith based organizations
• Extra-curricular organizations (ex. Boy Scout & Girl Guide troops)

If your group is interested in setting up a training date please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congratulations to Billi Krochuk & Kayla Marie Peters, the BT YA!s (Burlington Transit Youth Ambassadors) from Aldershot High School on their success with the World Car Free Day promo!

Billi & Kayla managed to receive 300 pledges from teachers & students to leave the car at home on Sept 22nd, World Car Free Day & noticed about a 50% increase in the amount of students that rode their bikes, walked or took the bus!

Billi Krochuk: "...After weeks of planning, coordinating with staff and teachers, and many announcements, our little school Aldershot showed us that we are a community that cares about our environment. We had exactly 300 pledges made that day, just under half of the entire school’s population! A big thank you to everyone for making Aldershot’s World Car Free Day such a success!"

All of the BT YA!s from across Burlington participated in this promo, collecting pledges from their school community during the lead up to World Car Free Day. Aldershot achieved the best overall performance in the promo campaign out of all of the teams of YA!s and earned a $250 cash prize to go towards a school Eco-project courtesy of Burlington Transit

BurlingtonGreen's very own Youth Program Coordinator, Kale Black was recently recognized by The Starfish's "Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25" campaign. Nominated by BG's Executive Director, Amy Schnurr: "The entire BG team is very proud of Kale and he is most deserving of this great recognition!"  Check out all the details here.

Way to go Kale!

For almost 2 years now Burlington Transit has been working with The BGYN on a innovative new program designed to promote public transportation in our Burlington High schools.  This is one of the first programs of it's kind; a Transit Authority,  a Community Environmental Organization and local Youth working together in partnership to increase student ridership for a more sustainable future!

If YOU apply to become a BT YA! you will be working with Burlington Transit to...

• Promote special offers and programs in your schools such as 2 for1 summer bus passes, various transit campaigns like "Freeze your Keys" or the Clean Air Day Transit promo.
• Occasionally conduct surveys and solicit feedback from students at your school.
• Provide ideas to Burlington Transit to generate ridership as well as plan and implement initiatives in your school.
• Attend BT YA! team meetings (appox 2 per year), working with staff mentors to create and implement transit promotional campaigns (training, promotional materials and support provided by BT)
• Check out our facebook page to see what we are up to!

Now you may be asking, WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?

If you are selected to be one of two BT YA!s for your school you will...

• Receive a signing bonus including a Pre-loaded Presto Pass, BT YA! T-shirt, a City of Burlington Swim & Skate Pass and more!
• Receive recognition for your contributions to the program at an awards ceremony held at the end of the school year at Burlington Mall. The Mayor, members of City Council, media contacts as well as friends and family invited!
• Have the opportunity to win cash rewards for your school eco-club to go towards environmental initiatives.
• Gain great "real-life"experience working with a community organization which can be highlighted on your resume.
• Earn volunteer hours for all of your work outside of school hours including BT YA! meetings.
• Once you have begun working as a BT YA! we can even provide you with reference letters for scholarships, awards, etc.
• EARN REWARDS! Do you remember when you sold chocolate covered almonds in elementary school? The more you sold the more rewards you earned. The BT YA! program has a Tier-based Reward System, simply put, the more you do to promote transit in your school, the more rewards you can earn. *You could receive rewards from items like movie tickets & gift cards to items like E-readers!

HOW DO I APPLY?!

The 2011-2012 school year is coming to an end and we have had a great first year with representation from Nelson, Aldershot, Robert Bateman, Notre Dame & M.M Robinson High Schools. We are going to be looking for 2 YAs from each Burlington High School to start in September of 2012 and have already begun accepting applications.

You can visit the Burlington Transit website here to fill out an application or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions about the program. REMEMBER, only 2 spots available per High school so make sure you apply today!