Mountains to Ocean
An immersive 3-week long program for participants to learn about the interconnectedness of the land and ocean around Vancouver, BC.
What is Mountains to Ocean?
Mountains to Ocean is a program designed to immerse youth ages 15-21 into Vancouver, British Columbia’s one-of-a-kind coastal landscape and connect them to other young leaders in their communities. While learning about environmental stewardship with hands-on learning activities and projects, youth will be inspired to tackle pressing oceanic and climate challenges like plastic pollution, climate change, and habitat loss. Participants will complete an individual project to demonstrate that taking action in their everyday lives can make a difference. This action project is designed to motivate other youth to become environmental stewards and leaders, bringing their communities along in the effort to protect the planet. This part-time program takes place on evenings and weekends, requiring a 25-35 hour time commitment. There is no cost to program participants.
Each of the three consecutive cohorts of participants will engage in three weeks of programming.
Cohort 1: November 19 – December 9, 2024 (applications due November 8)
Cohort 2: December 3 – 23, 2024 (applications due November 24)
Cohort 3: January 7 – 27, 2025 (applications due December 29)
The keystone component of each cohort will be a three-day outdoor learning experience called a learning journey. During these learning journeys, youth will connect to the forests and ocean of British Columbia while learning from community partners about the importance of protecting and restoring our environment. This main experience is bookended by an online orientation call a few days prior to the first learning journey, and after attending the learning journey, youth will be given various options to complete their own action project over the following two weeks. Following all three cohorts, all youth will be invited to a Showcase Social where they can network with each other and leaders from our organization.
Helping youth alleviate their eco-anxiety through learning and action in their communities, leading to tangible and lasting differences that pave the way for a more sustainable future.
What can you expect?
Participants will increase their understanding of the interconnectedness of the land and ocean surrounding Vancouver, BC by joining immersive learning journeys.
Participants will apply their knowledge to complete an individual action project motivating youth to become environmental stewards and leaders.
Participants will foster a culture of service by learning from community partners, collaborating with other youths, networking with leaders from Ocean Wise, and inspiring their communities to protect the planet.
Action Project Examples
Looking for inspiration for your action project? Here are just a few ideas to get you started!
- Starting an environmental club at your school or in your community
- Developing and leading workshops to educate classmates on environmental sustainability
- Creating ocean conservation resources for schools and educators
- Leading a Shoreline Cleanup and collecting data on pollution in your city
- Publishing an article raising awareness about a recent conservation win
- Volunteering with a local community organization
