Ottawa Faith Community Capacity Building Program

Youth Engagement

Engaging youth will help educate and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and provide diverse perspectives and new insights on your project! Also, read youth leaders’ testimonials and learn how to organize and manage a youth-led action project.

• Youth Voices Outreach Manual How to organize an inter-faith youth group retrieved from Faith the Common Good
• Youth Community Action Projects by Ottawa Riverkeeper
• The Green Street Guide to Authentic Youth Engagement by Jennifer Hoffman, Susan Staniforth, and the Green Street Youth Steering Committee
• Youth Can Change the World – But They Can’t Do It Alone by Aleksandra Spasevski, Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network
• Blog Posts (Youth Engagement) by Watersheds Canada
• #RisingYouth Stories by TakingITGlobal
• #RisingYouth Research Highlights on Lessons Learned from Participants by TakingITGlobal
• Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network Position Statement
• Guide to Action Simple Steps Towards Change by TakingITGlobal
• Canadian Youth Biodiversity Network Position Statement
• Youth Voices by Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
• Engaging Youth Within Our Communities by Josee Latendresse MSc, Natasha Blanchet-Cohen PhD, YouthScape, and Boscoville 2000
• SEAS (Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards) Toolkit_ A resource for planning your on-the-land Indigenous youth program by Nature United
• Youth Climate Jobs are Critical to a Covid-19 Economic Recovery – Research Brief by Youth Climate Lab
• RAD Collab Toolkit for Radical Change by Youth Climate Lab’s RAD Cohort

• #DigitalArt4Climate Environmental Advocacy Toolkit by Emel Tabaku retrieved from Youth Climate Lab
• AYLEE Climate Action Plan worksheet by Alberta Youth Leaders for Environmental Education
• Climate Change Guide by Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
• Climate Change Youth Guide to Action by TakingITGlobal
• Infiltration Manual Pushing for Ambitious Climate Action at the Municipal Level by Youth Climate Lab and Climate Caucus
• Leaders of Today Empowering youth for climate change activism by Monica Moore retrieved from The United Church of Canada
• Our Climate Our Stories_ A Collection of Stories and Poems by Canadian Youth retrieved from EnviroMuslims

• Community Monitoring – Taking Action with Water Rangers
• Introduction to Watersheds (and Anishinaabemowin Water Words) Student Worksheets by Water First
• Inland Waters Biodiversity – What_s the Problem_ by Convention on Biological Diversity
• Yellow Fish Road Program Guide by Trout Unlimited Canada
• Yellow Fish Popping Up in Portland as Sustainable Drainage Project Kicks Off by Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
• Lake Evaluation Card
• Water quality handout – Water Rangers and Watersheds Canada
• Why Water Testing and How to Use the Freshwater Explorer Kit by Water Rangers
• Water in Indigenous Childrens Books written and illustrated by Joanne Robertson – The Water Walker Teacher Guide written by Laura Horton with editing by Colinda Clyne
• Water Rangers Water Quality Test Kits Store Guide
• Water Smart – Protecting Water from Source to Tap by City of Ottawa
• Watershed Explorer_ Family-Friendly Activities to Help You Explore Your Watershed by Watersheds Canada and Canadian Wildlife Federation
• Digital Water Journey Student Worksheets by Water First

• Start a Nature Discovery Backpack Lending Library with Your Faith Community! poster by Watersheds Canada and Greening Sacred Spaces
• Nature Discovery Backpack checklist
• ClearWaterFarm handout
• Nature Discovery Backpack workbook
• Making a Splash Activity Book by 4-H Canada
• Powered Up Activity Book by 4-H Canada
• Steeped in Soil Activity Book by 4-H Canada
• Bees, Bears, & Butterflies: A program for older children by Bethe Benjamin Cameron retrieved from The United Church of Canada
• Dig into Soil Activity Book by 4-H Canada
• Eco Ramadan Challenge by EnviroMuslims

• Who Can I Reach Out to for Future Projects? handout by Watersheds Canada and Greening Sacred Spaces
• A Guide to Developing a ‘Green Team’ in Your Faith Community by Faith the Common Good
• A Muslims Guide to Energy and Climate Change by Bahu Trust and Kamran Shezad
• Faith and the Environment Toolkit by Community Environment Alliance retrieved from Faith _ the Common Good
• Letter of the Faithful Image and Guide by For the Love of Creation

This collection of resources is a part of the Freshwater Stewardship Engagement Toolkit which was created for the Ottawa Faith Community Capacity Building Program. Watersheds Canada and Greening Sacred Spaces launched this program to provide faith communities in Ottawa and the surrounding area with the tools and resources their leaders and volunteers need to identify a freshwater stewardship need in their community. Six faith communities will lead greening projects using this information toolkit and microgrant program opportunity. Thank you to the Ottawa Community Foundation and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation for making this important project possible!