2010 Field School a Tremendous Success
The 2010 Redfish School of Change was a tremendous success—an outstanding experience for students and instructors! Students have developed action plans for environmental projects in their communities and on their campuses. They will apply their learning and implement their initiatives in the months ahead through their community action projects.
Check back early in the fall for information about the Redfish School of Change in 2011.
Follow the 2010 Class Now!
Visit the Redfish School of Change blog to hear from the sixteen students from across Canada who are now participating in the 2010 semester of the Redfish School of Change from May 12 to June 19, 2010.
In a unique fusion of academic and experiential learning, we are travelling from the mountains of the Slocan Valley to the coast of southern Vancouver Island. Over six intensive weeks, we will trek across southern British Columbia, visit innovative sites, and engage with experts in the field of environment and social justice.
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Check out the Redfish School of Change facebook page and become a fan by clicking on the "like" button.
See the Redfish Video
2009 News
"Ho Seeks Justice in the Wild"
The Imprint, the student newspaper of the University of Waterloo, featured a story about Redfish alumnus Elaine Ho and her experience with Redfish School of Change. Click here to read the article.
The First Field School
The Redfish School of Change completed its
first field school with tremendous success. Sixteen
youth from across Canada
participated in the program. The students' diverse backgrounds, ages, geographic locations and study disciplines made for an
exceptional learning community. Living and learning together, participants
visited people and places across southern British Columbia. They toured ecological
restoration sites, worked on organic farms, conducted ecological sampling in
three bioregions, explored food security and sovereignty locally and globally,
and engaged with almost 50 change agents in the field of environment and social
justice. Students explored the wilderness of Valhalla
Provincial Park,
and witnessed the changing nature of the Fraser
River as they paddled into Vancouver.
The Redfish School of Change was a profound experience for the students, instructors, and the guests who joined the journey along the way. Students learned critical knowledge and skills for creating positive change, and applied these throughout this community-oriented program. As one student commented:
"By participating in the Redfish School of Change program, I acquired the kind of experience that provides one with life-changing insights. This excursion into uncharted territory was a once in a lifetime opportunity that proved to be a source of inspiration for a better future. It is by interacting with young individuals who share the same burning passion to create change in the world, by making difficult decisions and overcoming challenges with them, that I developed and will continue to develop the particular skills necessary to dedicate my life to this worthy cause... It was a chance to meet others who share a similar ambition and feed the fire that burns inside me."
Integral to the program, each participant developed action plans for projects they will now pursue in their communities. Projects vary from hosting an arts-based event to protecting marine wildlife and creating "homefulness" in their community, to facilitating youth education workshops and changing food options available on campus. Students are supported through their action projects. They have decided on several post-program activities such as the blog, a group learning journal, monthly gatherings online and by phone, and a reunion in the summer of 2010.
The Redfish School of Change is preparing for our second semester in spring 2010 — building on the feedback and lessons learned from this wonderful inaugural year.
Media release » June 2, 2009
Vancouver, BC — Sixteen river-weary young people arrive in Vancouver this week after
paddling the Fraser River from Hope to Jericho Beach as part of a ground-breaking new youth leadership program. These times of
environmental and economic uncertainty call for exceptional leadership,
and the Redfish School of Change has responded to the challenge with a
unique field school that has participants "in the field for the future."
"The Redfish School of Change is designed for youth who have a passion for finding solutions to environmental and social challenges," says Nadine Raynolds, Director of the Redfish School of Change. "We have a group of amazing young leaders from across Canada who bring a diversity of backgrounds, study disciplines, interests and perspectives."
This intensive six-week field school, accredited through the University
of Victoria's School of Environmental Studies, takes participants from
the mountains of the Slocan Valley to the west coast of Vancouver
Island. Along the way, students visit innovative sites and engage with
experts in the field of environment and social justice. Having spent
two weeks in the Kootenay region of British Columbia, they are now
making their way to Vancouver and Victoria for the month of June.
Students are building skills, developing strategies, and making plans
for projects to bring back to their communities. Their projects span
from tackling urban sprawl and working with youth at risk, to writing a
novel, protecting habitat, and starting their own innovative education
programs. Look for the students' blog at
redfishschoolofchange.blogspot.com. Also visit
http://www.schoolofchange.ca.