The Courtenay chapter of Youth Climate Corps B.C. (YCCBC) has launched its first summer season, with a group of five young people working with the City of Courtenay on various environmental projects in the city.
Now in its fourth year, YCCBC is building on growing momentum to offer local youth paid, hands-on work that contributes to meaningful climate solutions in their own communities.
This year, in partnership with the City of Courtenay, five young people have been hired to work on projects focused on community engagement, ecosystem restoration, food security, youth leadership development, environmental monitoring, and climate education. The program not only equips participants with tangible skills and work experience but also contributes to building local resilience in the face of accelerating climate impacts.
The program has some strong local partners, and saw a big demand for services.
"YCCBC is excited to bring this proven model to the Comox Valley," a release from YCCBC says. "By investing in youth, communities are helping shape a greener, more resilient future. Some of the projects the YCCBC Courtenay team is participating in this summer include a partnership with LUSH Valley, where the team will help run urban gardens, harvest farm produce for local food distribution, and host a week-long summer camp."
Additionally, in partnership with the BC Parks Foundation, YCCBC Courtenay will conduct environmental monitoring at Morrison Headwaters, maintain trail cameras, and lead outreach to protect sensitive ecosystems. Further collaborations include work with the Lake Trail Community Education Society to build a new permaculture garden and work with the Cumberland Community Forest Society to monitor bat populations, protect migrating toads, and remove invasive species.
In 2024, YCCBC expanded to more rural, remote, and Indigenous communities than ever before.
Across British Columbia, nearly 50 youth completed over 3,400 paid working days through projects such as wildfire risk reduction, clean energy retrofits, and traditional ecological restoration.
For more information about the Youth Climate Corps B.C. and upcoming initiatives, please visit the YCCBC Website or contact info@youthclimatecorps.com.
