OLTA’s environmental outreach program, Engaging New Canadians With Nature, encourages newcomers to Canada & individuals from diverse communities to connect with nature through conversations around what nature means to them, learn about natural spaces and cultivate an interest in nature in Canada. This outreach work is in collaboration with CultureLink, a settlement and community organization with more than 30 years experience in developing and delivering services to meet the needs of diverse communities.
The project’s purpose is to build connections between nature groups and new Canadians & individuals from diverse communities to empower connection and care for their natural environment and to foster opportunities for new Canadians & individuals from diverse communities to connect with the emotional, mental and physical benefits of nature.
Throughout the Engaging New Canadians with Nature Program, we shared resources and materials on our website to encourage the development of similar programs across the various communities our land trust members operate in Ontario. Recently, we created an Experiential Learning Guide after the second year of the program to share broader learnings and opportunities for land trusts to create similar programs.
