Students take environmental action at EcoBuzz Conference

Friday, Oct. 26, Peel middle and high school students and teachers are invited to participate in the EcoBuzz Conference at Stephen Lewis Secondary School in Mississauga.

Organized by the Peel Environmental Youth Alliance (PEYA), this fifth annual EcoBuzz Conference will create a fun and innovative venue to explore environmental issues of concern to over 250 youth participants using art, dance, drumming and music, and will inspire student-led environmental action projects.

The conference kicks off with a keynote address by youth inspirational speaker, Joel Hilchey. Students and teachers will then attend diverse and interactive workshops in the areas of sustainable student leadership, local food, starting a green business, drumming, yoga, school yard naturalization, climate change policy, nature appreciation through art, and media literacy.

Student teams will start to make positive environmental change in their community by creating a school environmental action plan in the afternoon with PEYA support. School teams will also create their own web page through PEYA's partnership with TakingITGlobal. The evening session includes a student-made local and organic dinner and sustainable food choices discussion followed by a rousing political performance by musician, Lila Rose.

Caledon community groups in attendance will include HITCH (Help Improve Transit in Caledon Hills), Caledon Countryside Alliance and the Caledon Community Mapping Project.

PEYA is a network of action-oriented students in the Peel Region concerned about environmental issues and determined to make positive change. PEYA provides a forum to share student ideas, support to other students and teachers looking to create environmental projects, and fun and effective educational events. PEYA is a project of EcoSource.

Students and teachers can register for EcoBuzz online at www.peyalliance. com. The deadline for registration is Oct. 12. For more information, please contact Stephanie Crocker at 905-274-6222, or e-mail info@peyalliance. com.