Active Program
YOUTH CLIMATE CORPS BC - Kelowna
YCCBC Kelowna is excited to be entering our second chapter this spring/summer 2026! Last season, we partnered with the City of Kelowna and local organizations to strengthen relationships and improve their capacities for combating the effects of climate change. This season, we look forward to building upon the last cohort’s work!
Our team will continue to support the City of Kelowna’s Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and increase community engagement with the ClimateSmart program through the facilitation of dialogue with the general public and community partners. These initiatives include the Home Energy Navigator, FireSmart, WaterSmart, and NeighbourWoods. In particular, we will support the Fire Department in the creation of a communication plan, emphasizing the necessity of prescribed fires.
YCC Kelowna will also host various climate action workshops to strengthen climate resilience through DIY air purifiers and grab-and-go kits. Alongside this, the team will conduct field work related to fire prevention.
We also look forward to strengthening ties between non-profit food organizations to support food security and waste reduction in our community. This initiative works towards reducing food waste through the gleaning, purchasing, and distributing of fresh produce.
As our season is just getting underway, stay tuned for other exciting projects that are in the works!
Land Acknowledgment
The YCCBC Kelowna team works and lives on the traditional, ancestral, unceded, and currently occupied territory of the syilx people. syilx people have lived on and cared for these Lands since time immemorial. The n̓syilxčn̓ name for this place is kiʔláwnaʔ, meaning grizzly bear. Follow this link to see a map of syilx territory.
As settlers in this territory, we strive to continuously learn how to align our climate action with syilx sovereignty. We look forward to deepening our relationships with the Land, Water, and people who have been here for thousands of years.
The YCCBC Kelowna team invites you to learn alongside us:
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Visit Sncəwips Heritage Museum to learn more about syilx people, culture, and lifeways
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Read the Syilx Water Declaration
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Sign up for nsyilxcən for everyone lessons with Kelowna Museums
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Seek out further opportunities for learning and solidarity lead by syilx people
Note: we have not capitalized n̓syilxčn̓ words here because, as syilx journalist Kelsie Kilawna (2023) shares, “According to some n̓syilxčn̓ language keepers, there are no capitalizations in the spellings of any n̓syilxčn̓ words. In an egalitarian society, capitalization insinuates there is something that holds more importance over another, and that does not fall in line with syilx ethics.”
Photo Caption: The 2026 YCC Kelowna team from left to right: Ria Kaeley, Samantha Squires, Neela Rader, Pasha Summerland, Zoe Sibthorp, Augustus Lees.
Within Youth Climate Corps, crew members are between 17-30 years old; they earn wages, gain work experience, build networks, and develop themselves personally and professionally. Meanwhile, they complete projects that both benefit their own communities and support global efforts to act on the climate crisis.
If you or your organization wants to learn more about how to team up with us and move forward on projects in your community, or if you are interested in funding one of our projects related to our different focus areas, we are here to support you.