Hastings has recently been awarded a grant of $50,000 to be used for environmental projects. Mayor Nicola Armacost´s Climate Youth Council awards the grants to students in increments of one thousand to five thousand dollars. Seniors Aynsley Zamore and Mia Christie, who founded the Climate Youth Council and have worked on many environmental projects in the past, are now helping other students with their own environmental projects.

Prior to the Climate Youth Council, it was difficult for students to involve themselves in environmental projects. Through email, Mia and Aynsley shared their experience with their environmental involvement, prior to founding the CYC; “we wanted to involve ourselves in any environmental project and actually make change, but we truly lacked a way in; we didn’t know where to start or who to contact.”

Despite that, an opportunity arose when Mia and Anysley interviewed Mayor Armacost for The Buzzer and discovered that adults are interested in involving youth in climate projects. Founding the Climate Youth Council subsequently: “Our goal is to provide young people with guidance and resources,” said Mia and Aynsley. “Through the CYC, they could be connected with our amazing village network of environmentalists so they can get involved and make change.”

Mia and Aynsley also worked on their own environmental project, creating a pollinator garden on the Rosedale Roundabout. They shared, “our experiences here made us more equipped to help students come up with projects that interest them.” They also shared that due to their previous experience, they have a good grasp on what aspects of the village can improve to become more environmentally friendly.

Having the option to pursue an environmental project using this grant is an unprecedented opportunity. According to Mia and Aynsley, “it opens up doors we didn’t even have with the CYC.” Many students attended an meeting for interested students on Thursday, May 2nd, and the students had endless ideas for project possibilities. Some of these included addressing flood mitigation, tackling the invasive species issue in Hastings, and making the school more sustainable. 

Eighth grader Hanna Lambert shared that she decided to take on an environmental project because, “I love the environment and it is really important.” Hanna is interested in planting a pollinator garden and also stated that the grant is giving her an opportunity she wouldn’t usually have.

Although the specific projects that will happen are still uncertain, the goal of the microgrants is to encourage students to get involved in environmental work, as well as to make Hastings more environmentally friendly overall. Aynsley and Mia explained that changing people’s mentality and habits is very important in encouraging them to live more climate friendly: “We truly hope to see this type of change in Hastings, as well as more ambition from people to get involved and pursue the issues they care about most.”