Project KELP reviews growth in 2023 and looks forward to 2024

In 2023, Project KELP started these initiatives:

• Sustainable Waves 2023, on October 14, 2023 at UBC’s Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre. This featured event was created to increase the awareness of sustainable action through achievable steps that we can do everyday.
  
  With participation from the public, community leaders, and exhibitors from various organizations and fields, the day was both one of sharing and learning. We gathered organizations centered on conservation, education, local businesses, clean energy, the circular economy, health and well-being, and the environment. Speakers came from across different sectors as well, sharing their perspectives and journeys. For more details about the event please see visit projectkelp.com/sustainable-waves.
  
  To all guests, honourable speakers, featured exhibitors, supporters, and the special team of volunteers. Thank you! You all made it a memorable and amazing day.
  
  Sustainable Waves: 2023 was held on the traditional, ancestral, unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) First Nation.
• The creation of The Fleet of Sustainability (featured at Sustainable Waves): Using recycled and sustainably sourced paper to make origami boats and ships, this interactive activity gathered kids and all to decorate and command their own ships of sustainability. Materials at this booth consisted of donated and previously owned art supplies to encourage everyone to rethink how resources can be used and engage in protecting our environment through fun activities.
• Connecting with various organizations and community members that started events and initiatives possible through Project KELP and UHill SEC.
• Interviewing Vancouver School Board Chair and Trustee, Victoria Jung on Sustainability.
• Meeting Up with Ocean Wise Seafood Program at Spot Prawn Festival 2023. Talking to different organizations about sustainable fishing and local foods.
• Salmon Day at ƛ̓éxətəm (Colony Farm) Regional Park. Meeting PhD candidate/researcher Zachary Sherker at his event with Watershed Watch Salmon Society to learn more about salmon, new technology, biodiversity, and engage in interactive activities!
• Interviewing Secondary Teacher at University Hill Secondary School on Sustainability.
• Meeting and interviewing the Indigenous coordinator at UHill Secondary.
• Participated in Ocean Wise’s Eco-Action Accelerator Program from May to October of 2023, with the support from a team of mentors and through workshops and funding from Ocean Wise and the Government of Canada’s Canada Service Corps- leading to the creation of the Sustainable Waves series.

Plans for 2024

• Sustainable Library Project at BC Children’s Hospital with book donations campaign!
• Create channels to bridge people and organizations for sustainable solutions!
• Events for healthy you, and healthy planet!

In 2023, UHill SEC hosted the following events:

• Share the initiatives and activities by UHill Sustainable Everyday Club (UHill SEC) at the Vancouver School Board (VSB) Public Delegation Board Meeting. (see here for more details)
• Ideas for a Sustainable Winter: Sharing ideas and tips from UHill Sustainable Everyday Club members to encourage the school community to be sustainable during the holiday season! (see here for more details)
• Zero Waste Boxes – for Snack + Candy Wrappers, Cables + Cords, & Sporting Goods: To reduce the recyclables from being sent to landfills UHill SEC launched three zero waste boxes from TerraCycle to ensure the collected items were properly sorted, recycled, and repurposed. Made possible with the funding from the VSB Sustainability Grant. (see here for more details)
• National Forest Week: Promoting the important role forests in Canada and across the planet share as part of our biodiversity- providing fresh air, water, food, medicines, and shelter. With materials supported by the Canadian Institute of Forestry. (see here for more details)
• School Supplies Swap: Several days were hosted for UHill to share, reuse, and repurpose school supplies for students and teachers. From erasers to highlighters, and binders to pens, it provided solutions for graduating students to find new homes for their materials and for others welcome them to their school entourage. (see here for more details)
• Earth Day: Save Earth Countdown 2023 Scavenger Find: Sustainability discoveries at school, from the energy efficient building design sign and resource conservation facilities such as water filling stations, to recycling+compost stations and water conserving washrooms. (see here for more details)
• UHill SEC Bottle Depot: To raise the awareness of the importance of proper recycling and reducing single use drink containers! Part of the initiative to promote hydration through water filling stations and by bringing reusable water bottles. (see here for more details)

For 2024, , UHill SEC plans to have

• Sustainable Book Corner at the UHill Library!
• Continue the promotion of Water Drinking Stations and reducing single-use bottles, ensuring proper recycling!
• To establish a network of school clubs in Vancouver School District to work together, bringing initiatives to schools across Metro Vancouver and hosting district-wide events!
• *Fostering the next generations of club members for taking on new roles after I graduate from UHill. I will continue to support the club wherever I may be!