NeighbourWoods on the Grand has hired two summer students to help with tree inventory and stewardship from now until the end of August.
The positions are funded by Canada Summer Jobs 2013, a Canadian government initiative that funds mostly not for profit employers to create summer workplace experiences for local students.
Evan Wade and Jesse Grant, both post-secondary students with an interest in the environment and the tree canopy of Centre Wellington, will be responsible for participating in NeighbourWoods’ tree inventory, tree planting and mulching, as well as organizing events ranging from an outdoor movie night, to manning a booth at the farmer’s market in Elora.
“The government’s top priority is creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity for all Canadians,” said Michael Chong, MP Wellington-Halton Hills. “Through Canada Summer Jobs, we are helping local organizations like NeighbourWoods create summer job opportunities for students, while strengthening our community’s economy.”
Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.
Locally, 72 positions were created with an investment of $176,000. Proving to be a valuable initiative for both students and local organizations, Canada Summer Jobs recognizes local circumstances and helps students get the experience they need to be competitive in the job market.
The Canada Summer Job students hired by NeighbourWoods were chosen for their outgoing personalities and curiosity to learn more about trees.
While Wade is going into his third year at McMaster University for Political Science, Grant is going into her second year at Wilfrid Laurier for Biology. Both students live in Centre Wellington; Wade is from Fergus, while Grant is from Belwood.
“Over the course of the summer as a NeighbourWoods steward, I hope to gain a better understanding of the relationship between politics and the environment, as well as the processes that shape these relationships,” Wade says.
“After only one week at the organization, I have already begun to appreciate the urban tree forest of Centre Wellington and its importance to our community.”
The students are gaining valuable experience not only in learning about trees in Centre Wellington, but also learning how to work in an office setting, how manage and coordinate volunteers, as well as how to effectively promote and market events and NeighbourWoods as a non profit organization.
“I was very excited when I found out I got the job.” To find out more about NeighbourWoods visit www.ecee.on.ca.
