Want to join Kingston’s Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion program?

The City of Kingston is accepting applications for its Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion (NCAC) program. Now in its second year, the NCAC program supports passionate climate champions in their efforts to inspire, motivate, and encourage neighbours and friends to make change in our community.

“Last year, we received tremendous interest in the newly created Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion program, with many residents eager to share their knowledge and create a more sustainable community,” said Julie Salter-Keane, Manager of Climate Leadership for the City. “A diverse range of ideas were shared and put into action, ranging from creating an edible community garden to exploring the wonders of moss. I’m eager to see what creative climate action ideas this year’s champions will bring forward.”

According to a release from the City, the NCAC program is part of the City’s response to the climate emergency and empowers residents to make change in our community by supporting community-focused actions that support the City’s Climate Leadership Plan.

The City suggested that climate action project ideas could include: 

• Educating residents about environmental issues 
• Leading discussions on climate challenges 
• Collaborating on community-focused projects 
• Inspiring broader participation in climate action  
• Contributing to the City’s Climate Leadership Plan for greenhouse gas reductions 

Champions have a range of potential projects, including hosting workshops on waste reduction or cycling, leading events to raise awareness about climate change, organizing workshops to enhance energy efficiency, and planting pollinator gardens or community gardens, among other impactful ideas, the City stated.

Participants will receive training (in-person or virtual) through a series of webinars on climate change science, climate change communications, and climate action in Kingston, according to the City. After the training, participants will receive a Neighborhood Climate Action Toolkit to help them engage their neighbours in discussions about climate change and develop innovative neighbourhood-focused climate action projects. 

Cherilyn Burnell, Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion for the Trillium District, chose to establish a community garden and provide educational gardening programs for children.

“I am passionate about building strong and sustainable communities and this program offered me the funding and coaching that could help me bring some ideas to life,” Burnell said.

According to the release, Burnell collaborated with the City, Loving Spoonful, Kingston Frontenac Public Library, and community members to create space and resources for people to grow fresh, local food to feed people in our community. Garden members of all ages and levels of experience were welcome to join.

“This garden initiative champions sustainability and fosters a genuine sense of community through shared gardening and harvesting experiences. Through this collaboration, we’ve been able to donate hundreds of pounds of produce to people in our community, with some going to Loving Spoonful’s ‘Grow-A-Row’ program as well as to local neighbours through a pop-up food stand this fall,” Burnell added.

The City is encouraging Kingston residents to think about what they would do with $2,000 to support climate action and make changes in our community. Individuals and organizations are invited to apply to become the next Neighbourhood Climate Action Champion program before Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

For more information including eligibility requirements, or to apply, visit GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca.