01
Improve understanding and actual actions around sustainability. This includes increasing chances for community cleanups and schoolwide initiatives (that include all students), reducing the number of paper ads distributed across Waterloo Region, and improving recycling practices in public spaces.
More chances to volunteer for community clean ups
– Sense making sessions
More school wide initiatives re. Environment and sustainability (not just connected to clubs)
– Sense making sessions
I think improving people’s access to nature with more trails, creating more outside spaces for meeting, and actively encouraging people to be outside will improve well-being in the community.
– YIS Qualitative
Reducing number of papers ads you get in the mail (unnecessary and get thrown out)
– Sense making sessions
Better understanding of sustainable farming practices
– Sense making sessions
If you have information as to how this is moving forward in our community, please connect with jlincho@carizon.ca
02
Increase affordability of reusable or sustainable options. Encourage reusable options in public spaces where possible (e.g.grocery stores, restaurants).
Make reusable or sustainable options more affordable
– Sense making sessions
More plastic restrictions in grocery stores and restaurants
– Sense making sessions
More info on recycling vs. garbage
– Sense making sessions
More plastic restrictions in grocery stores and restaurants
– Sense making sessions
Promoting rain barrels
– Sense making sessions
Organization: Extend-A-Family Waterloo Region
Extend-A-Family has partnered with Sustainable Societies Consulting Group and Devon Fernandes to create the Kitchener-Waterloo Library of Things (KWLOT). KWLOT is a space where you can borrow infrequently used items such as tools, garden equipment, kitchen appliances or camping gear.
Learn more about Extend-A-Family here!
03
Improve people’s access to nature (trails, outdoor meeting spaces, encourage people to be outside). This is better for the environment, and improves the collective well-being of our community.
More natural areas and more small shops
– From YIS Qualitative
Leave more green space. Try to limit land being turned into buildings and/or recreational areas.
– YIS Qualitative
Adding more local parks to neighbourhoods that contain houses older than 15 years. Like all em, new, local parks are in new neighbourhoods
– YIS Qualitative
I think improving people’s access to nature with more trails, creating more outside spaces for meeting, and actively encouraging people to be outside will improve well-being in the community.
– YIS Qualitative
More nature and trails/parks
– YIS Qualitative
Organization: Waterloo Public Library (WPL)
WPL has a new eastside branch located at RIM Park Manulife Sportsplex. Eastside branch is nature and sustainability focused.There is a natural outdoor space used for dynamic programming and educational activities for all ages. Teaching Beehive is a space at the Eastside branch where you can enjoy programs and workshops centered around teamwork, food production and environmental stewardship.
Learn more about the Waterloo Public Library here!
04
Increase understanding/practices of sustainable farming, community/home gardens, and composting. Build in opportunities and resources that are easily accessible for all to build this understanding, and apply it in their daily lives (e.g.more ways/places to compost).
Better understanding of sustainable farming practices
– Sense making sessions
More knowledge and opportunities for composting
– Sense making sessions
Promote composting
– Sense making sessions
Sustainable farming practices (fast food industry and animal farming practices)
– Sense making sessions
If there is any way this organization could try to get more produce gardens into communities that would be absolutely amazing
– Feedback Survey
Plant more trees, help the bees by planting more flowers.
– YIS Qualitative
Organization: Nurture and Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab
Nurture is a youth-led business that focuses on building and expanding community gardens in Waterloo Region. Nurture’s goal is to foster positive mental health among youth by making Waterloo Region a sustainable food forest.
Learn more about Nurture here!
Organization: Idea Exchange
Idea Exchange, Preston location has a free seed library where you can browse and choose from a wide variety of seeds. As well as, a tool library which lends out gardening tools for free. The Preston location also has a community garden.
Learn more about Idea Exchange here!
Organization: House of Friendship
Sunnydale Community Centre a community centre HOF is connected to offers children and youth gardening programs as a tool to connect children and youth with nature and learn the importance of practising sustainable farming.
Learn more about House of Friendship here!
05
Increase and improve mobility across communities, and promote public transportation. This includes access to public transportation (e.g.affordability, as well as increasing routes and times out to townships), as well as clearing sidewalks and common “foot traffic” areas in the winter.
Safer crosswalks for kids (bridges). More pride flags and things around the city
– YIS Qualitative
Improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooterists.
– YIS Qualitative
Region is so big, it can be hard to get around (especially if your not comfortable taking the bus alone)
– Sense making sessions
Busses not making it out to townships – have to rely on parents to get around
– Sense making sessions
Clearing sidewalks in the winter → some places great, others terrible
– Sense making sessions
Organization: Community Justice Initiatives
The Root to Rise program provides youth with 20 bus tickets per month in order to travel back and forth for CJI programs as well as encourage them to attend community events.
Learn more about Community Justice Initiatives here!
06
Ensure that everyone has access to clean drinking water, regardless of their income or where they live - build this into taxes.
Everyone should have access to clean water → shouldn’t have to pay (provided through taxes)
– Sense making sessions
Organization: Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab
The Smart Waterloo Region Innovation Lab is supporting a youth working to develop mobile water testing kits. Currently in our Region, those looking to have well water tested must drop off samples at a Regional site. This innovative solution will allow folks to test their own water!
Learn more about the SWR Innovation Lab here!