Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has designed a range of programs for new Canadians, including education for post-secondary students, bridge training for environmental professionals, and opportunities for newcomers discover and explore their local natural environment.
Multicultural Connections
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority’s (TRCA) Multicultural Connections Program (MCP) helps introduce new Canadians to their local natural environment.
Language and economic barriers can limit the participation of newcomers in nature-based events and outings. To help overcome these barriers, the MCP program engages newcomers through in-class environmental educational programs at English language learning centres, as well as through field trips and participation at cultural/faith events.
Our programs enable newcomers to Canada to experience local green spaces, and to receive information that helps them participate in climate change initiatives, including water, waste and energy conservation efforts at home.
Adult language centre presentations are often delivered with local and regional municipal partners, to provide context and ensure consistency with water and waste messaging within in each municipality.
PRESENTATIONS AT LANGUAGE CENTRES
TRCA half-day presentations at adult learning centres are free of charge. The costs are covered through the generous support of our regional funding partners.
Presentations are held at your language centre. We can run the presentations in the classroom, in a boardroom or in a large room able to accommodate all the students and a PowerPoint presentation. If you have an outdoor space at your site, we would welcome the opportunity to take your group outside.
You can book as many as two presentations per day at your language centre.
To book a presentation, please contact:
Toronto and Region of Peel:
Lisa Ward, Coordinator
416-661-6600 ext. 5854
lisa.ward@trca.ca
York Region:
Mac Graham, Coordinator
647-339-7574
macj.graham@trca.ca
To learn more about TRCA presentations, please check out our FAQs.
Presentations Available:
| Great Lakes and Water Conservation Explore the importance of the Great Lakes and learn about water as a critical resource. Discover practical ways to conserve water every day at home. Great Lakes / Water Conservation Presentation Vocabulary |
| Solid Waste Management Through the use of props, group activities and an interactive presentation, you will learn the importance of the “3Rs” and how waste is managed in your municipality. Solid Waste Management Presentation Vocabulary |
| Climate Change Learn the vocabulary related to climate change and explore different solutions to effectively deal with this global crisis. Climate Change Presentation Vocabulary |
| Energy Conservation Through the use of props and group activities learn about the importance of conserving energy and practical ways to do so. Energy Conservation Presentation Vocabulary |
| An Introduction to First Nations Learn about First Nations Peoples across Canada prior to European contact. This interactive presentation focuses on the Iroquoian peoples living around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin. Introduction to First Nations in Canada Presentation Vocabulary |
| The Contact Period Travel through the history of the New World with the use of a Power Point presentation and interactive activities. Learn about European colonization and its impact on the Indigenous people of Canada. The Contact Period: The European Arrival in the New World Presentation Vocabulary |
| The Buzz on Bees Participants will be made aware of the variety of native bees in the area, and the contributions that bees make in our daily lives. Participants will learn about friendly pollinator practices that they can use around the home. The Buzz on Bees Presentation Vocabulary |
| The Meadoway – A Corridor to Nature and Neighbourhoods The Meadoway is transforming a barren power corridor into a vibrant 16-kilometre stretch of urban greenspace and meadowlands in Toronto. Participants will learn about the importance of protecting and accessing natural areas in the Greater Toronto Area, the province of Ontario and across Canada. The Meadoway – A Corridor to Nature and Neighbourhoods Presentation Vocabulary |
Planning a Field Trip?
Explore the wide range of outdoor locations that TRCA offers.
Transportation:
We know that transportation costs can be a barrier for language centre groups participating in field trips. Limited funding is available to language centres to assist with busing costs for trips to our local green spaces.
Funding is limited and the bus subsidy will be provided on a first come-first serve basis
To apply for transportation subsidy, please complete and submit the application form here.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What do the presentations cost
Our presentations are free of charge.
2. Where are the presentations held?
Presentations are held at your language centre.
3. How do I book a presentation?
You can book your presentation by phone or email. Contact us.
4. How many presentations can I book?
You can book two presentations per day at your language centre.
5. How long are the presentations?
The presentations are typically 2 hours to 2.5 hours in length.
6. How many students can participate at once?
To book a presentation, we require a minimum of 15-20 students per session.
7. Can I book presentations on different topics?
You can book presentations on different topics. You can pick one topic in the morning session and a different topic in the afternoon.
8. How do I know which dates are available to book presentations?
Please contact the program coordinators for available dates.
9. What language levels can participate in the program?
Our presentations are designed for adult students with an intermediate to advance language level. Presentations are not suitable for literacy and lower language level classes. Ask our coordinators about the presentation content before you book.
10. What should we do as a class to prepare for your presentation?
Language teachers who have confirmed a booking will receive a vocabulary sheet two weeks prior to the presentation. Please familiarize the students with the new words and terminology. Reviewing the vocabulary as a class is an essential part of the preparation.
11. What are some of the classroom resource needed?
We will need to use a laptop, projector and a white or black board. If any of these resources are not available, please inform the coordinator when booking a presentation.
12. What will our students learn during the presentations?
Students will be learning about local environmental issues, the importance of conservation and actions they can take at home and in their own community. For the learning objectives of a specific topic, please refer to the presentation descriptions.
13. Are there any follow up activities after the presentations?
Yes. Following each presentation the teacher and the students are asked to complete a presentation evaluation. Worksheets, web links and resources will be provided to the teachers as follow-up activities.
Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project
The Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project (NYGEP) supports newcomer youth in the GTA to access field trips, experiential learning opportunities and job skills training.
Throughout the five-month part-time program, participants will have access to learning opportunities in the following environmental career pathways:
- Ecological restoration
- Water management
- Green energy/green building
- Environmental education
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
- Must be 18-29 years of age and reside in the GTA
- Must be a newcomer to Canada
- Major focus of study or job search must be in the environmental sector (e.g. Environmental science, engineering, planning, education or studies).
WHAT DO STUDENTS RECEIVE?
JOB SEARCH AND CORPORATE CULTURE TRAINING:
Eight half-day workshops in which you will learn about corporate culture and job search skills in the environmental sector. You will prepare your resumé and perfect your interview skills.
ONLINE TRAINING:
30 hours of existing Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) online training on job search and communication. Topics: labour market, resumé targeting, networking, making a good first impression, teamwork, giving and receiving feedback, etc.
TECHNICAL TRAINING:
Online technical modules covering: low impact development (LID), environmental legislation.
FIELD TRIPS:
To Kortright Centre for Conservation, Alderville First Nation, and TRCA education sites.
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PLACEMENT:
Participants will be placed with a host employer in one of the four environmental career pathways (see above) for an experiential learning opportunity. The host employer will provide a mentor who will guide a group of five students (per career pathway) through completion of a real-world project.
STIPEND:
Participants will receive a stipend for their participation in the project to offset travel costs. This will be provided at the end of the program, pending successful attendance and participation.
EMPLOYMENT COACHING:
Six hours of employment coaching will be provided to assist students with job search, applications, and interviews.
INDIGENOUS LEARNING:
Presentations:
1) An Introduction to First Nations: Iroquoian peoples living around the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River basin
2) The Contact Period: European colonization and its impact on the Indigenous people of Canada
The following groups were consulted in the development of these presentations:
– Peel Aboriginal Network
– Native Canadian Centre of Toronto
– Woodland Cultural Centre & Mohawk Institute Residential School
– National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS:
Participants and their families will be invited to TRCA-led community events/workshops for free. Events offered include:
– Winter Bird Count at Tommy Thompson Park
– Urban Birds and Citizen Science
– Gardening with Native Plants
– Sustainable Balcony Gardening
– Morningside Creek Planting event
Black Creek Pioneer Village Family Day: Participants and their families will be invited to a free tour of Black Creek Pioneer Village, where they can experience Ontario’s rich rural heritage by exploring an authentic re-creation of a 19th century village.
APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM
Applications for our 2020 program will open in the new year. Please check back with us in 2020 for information on upcoming programming. (Anticipated start dates: June and November, 2020.)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Sign up to be added to the program mailing list:
QUESTIONS?
Contact Leigha Howard: leigha.howard@trca.ca
Response within 2 business days.
PAIE Bridge Training Program
Professional Access into Employment (PAIE) is an innovative bridge training program designed to help internationally-trained environmental professionals launch their careers in Engineering, Geoscience, Environmental Science and Planning here in Canada.
The one-year PAIE program equips participants with an understanding of the local labour market, and supports them as they seek to secure employment and gain the Canadian experience required for professional licensing and certification.
PAIE offers participants:
- Unlimited employment and job search coaching.
- Over 150 hours of professions-specific and soft skills training.
- Access to a mentor in their field.
- Post-hire and retention support from staff.
