UGDSB is hosting Clima-Con 2025 at the Guelph Arboretum this November

The Community Environmental Leadership Program (CELP) will host 150 Grade 9 students at the University of Guelph Arboretum Center on November 13th for our second Clima-Con!

This day is planned by CELP Grade 10 students and their teachers as part of their science, civics and interdisciplinary studies curriculum and is funded by the City of Guelph's Youth Climate Action Grant. Local youth climate activist Abigail Walton will address attendees with a keynote address on how youth can get involved and take action on climate issues.

Teams of Grade 9 students from the John F. Ross CVI, Guelph CVI and Centennial CVI geography classes will compete around the Arboretum in hands-on team challenges on food waste, the City of Guelph's Race to Zero Climate goals, sustainable transportation, postcards to a politician, invasive species, native tree identification, local climate issues and solutions, and a teamwork challenge. Points are awarded by local celebrity judges from community groups and city departments working on climate issues in our community.

During lunch, teams will have the opportunity to earn more points by attending the Climate Fair and learning how they can take action on climate change in Guelph.

Organizations confirmed for the Climate Fair so far include eMerge Guelph, Fresh Water Canada, Guelph Tool Library, Guelph Climate Action Network, The Arboretum, City of Guelph Forestry and Sustainable Landscapes, City of Guelph Race to Zero Energy and Climate Change, Trees for Guelph, Seniors for Climate Action Now Guelph, The Climate Hope Lab, Guelph Family Health Study, the Climate Reality Project and City of Guelph Transportation Services.

Selected image from Clima-Con 2024.