Region-wide survey shows Burlington youth feel strongly about environment
Published October 18, 2022 at 1:43 pm
A region-wide survey of youth showed Burlington kids feel strongly about their natural environment.
More than 300 Burlington youth, aged 8-18, took part in the Our Kids Network survey, which asked them about their opinions on youth volunteerism, civic engagement, and helping the community.
More than 70 per cent of Burlington respondents said they feel personally responsible for helping protect the natural environment. More than a quarter said they regularly participate in events organized by local groups to protect the natural environment.
According to the survey, Indigenous youth were more likely to participate regularly in volunteering and initiatives to protect the natural environment (independent of age and gender). Indigenous youth were also more likely to report high civic engagement in the last year compared to their non-Indigenous peers.
Burlington had the highest percentage of youth who identified as Indigenous at 14 per cent.
Newcomer youth were more likely to report regularly volunteering or engaging in activities to protect the natural environment compared to participants born in Canada. However, those born in Canada were more likely to report high civic engagement than those who had immigrated to Canada.
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Done in partnership with UNICEF Canada and the Canadian Index of Wellbeing, the Halton Youth Impact Survey findings explore differences across municipalities and neighbourhoods, recognizing that strong neighbourhoods help children thrive.
A total of 27 different neighbourhoods were identified to collect, analyze and then share
the research, which OKN says is a hallmark of its works in Halton.
“Neighbourhoods play a critical role in the healthy development of children and youth,” OKN said of the survey. “Green spaces like parks, trails, beaches, and community gardens are important public spaces that support physical health, connection and belonging.
“Civic engagement and volunteerism are ways that youth can exercise their right to have their voices heard and participate in decisions that impact them – this includes the society that they will one day lead and the environment that supports their wellbeing.”
OKN is a Halton-wide partnership of organizations and agencies serving children and youth.
For more results from the survey, visit here.
