Media Advisory - Kids, frogs and fun

Rubber Boot camp at Tommy Thompson Park for next generation wetland ambassadors

TORONTO, July 19, 2016  /CNW/ -

Date:	Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Time:	11:00 am
Location:	Tommy Thompson Park
	1 Leslie Street, Toronto ON
Event:	Something magical happens when a child pulls on a pair of rubber boots, wades into the water and discovers tiny creatures living in a wetland. And when young people who appreciate our natural resources and the environment as a whole share their passion and enthusiasm with others, they can be powerful changemakers.
	This week, a group of secondary students will head to Tommy Thompson Park (TTP) to learn how to do just that. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) and Toronto Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) have joined forces to see 12 local high school students participate in Conservation Youth Corps (CYC) - a week-long summer program that provides the opportunity for high school students to earn 35 volunteer hours by participating in outdoor stewardship activities (https://trca.ca/get-involved/programs/conservation-youth-corps)
	In addition to engaging in stewardship activities, these passionate students will be trained to become wetland ambassadors so they can mentor younger students during the delivery of elementary wetland programs at TTP during the 2016/2017 school year. Lessons in conservation leadership at its best!

Join us Wednesday, July 20^th at 11:00 a.m. to see the students in action as they learn to lead interactive programming as part of their wetland ambassador training.

Media are invited to attend, shadow the program and talk to students, instructors and staff. While you're here, roll up your sleeves, get your hands dirty and experience the wonders of wetlands for yourself! This is a great photo opportunity.

Quotes:

"This initiative is a win-win for students and the community. Secondary school students earn volunteer hours by participating in meaningful stewardship activities while experiencing the wonder of Toronto's urban wilderness at Tommy Thompson Park. As Wetland Ambassadors, they will also become mentors to younger students, helping to foster a sense of place and an ethic of care for the natural world."

-    Colin Love, Supervisor - Education, Training & Outreach,TRCA

"It is so important for kids to have the opportunity to get outside and experience nature for themselves. This service-learning approach to environmental education provides opportunities for students to elicit positive change in their communities and become advocates for the environment and wildlife as well as build character and develop skills to carry forward with them into their lives and future careers."

-     Stephanie Walker - Education Specialist, DUC

Tommy Thompson Park
1 Leslie Street, Toronto ON

Please note that Tommy Thompson Park is closed to the public during weekdays. A representative from Toronto Region Conservation Authority will meet you at the entrance gate (as identified on the map below) and escort you to the program delivery location.

On-site contacts:
Colin Love - Toronto and Region Conservation – cell #:  [phone]
Stephanie Walker - Ducks Unlimited Canada – cell #:  [phone] (cell)

SOURCE Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

For further information: Media contacts: For Ducks Unlimited Canada, Joanne Barbazza, Communications Specialist, Ontario, 705-721-4444 ext. 240, [e-mail]; For Toronto Region Conservation Authority, Elizabeth Oakley, Project Manager, Content Marketing, [phone] Ext. 5856, [e-mail]