York University professor partners with Town of Penetanguishene to develop Climate Change Solutions Park 

Penetanguishene – Climate change has emerged as the world’s most critical environmental issue, as well as one of the most pressing social, economic and health challenge of our time. While it is a global issue, its impacts are felt most acutely at the local level.   

The Town of Penetanguishene partners with Professor José Etcheverry from York University’s Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change to develop a Climate Change Solutions Park (CSP) at the Penetanguishene Ecology Garden, located at 144 Fox Street.  

This development will create an inspirational location for experiential learning, networking and innovation opportunities for local and visiting students, such as training in precision agriculture and local sustainable development strategies. It will also allow for the development of cutting-edge research and practical applications toward solving the climate emergency. 

The project focuses on addressing the climate change crisis by developing  an ecosystem of innovation by involving not only students, but local and Indigenous partners, community leaders and creators. It will focus on providing new practical opportunities for those interested in designing and implementing paradigm-shifting climate change solutions, locally and internationally. The Penetanguishene Ecology Garden was chosen by Professor Etcheverry as an ideal location to commence his nationwide project. 

“We will aim to educate and provide awareness for the public and the community on reconciliation. There is much knowledge left to learn from the Indigenous communities in our country and we are here to support, nourish, and disseminate that knowledge theoretically and experientially,” says Etcheverry, director – Climate Solutions Park. “We will also be working with Land of the Dancing Deer to assist them in the planning, development and execution of the Healing Village and their permaculture gardens through student involvement.” 

The Climate Solutions Park is also working with the Rural Urban Learning Association, a registered Canadian charitable organization with a diverse membership, to ensure trust, genuine relationship building, and community engagement remain  central to their mandates with the Indigenous communities where the projects are located.  

“The ecology garden represents a wonderful foundation that the Climate Solutions Park will continue to foster, nurture and evolve over time. We will remain connected with our roots in Penetanguishene – while reaching towards a greater collective vision for climate change solutions locally and globally,” says Codrina Ibanescu, president – Rural Urban Learning Association.  

There is also a bursary available for some students to participate York University’s 4REAL (4th Renewable Energy & Agricultural Learning) project, which is linked to one of York University’s renewable energy courses and focuses on local climate change solutions with an emphasis on the United Nationals Sustainable Development Goals. The bursary can help domestic students gain experiential opportunities at several farm and green industry sites, including the Climate Solutions Park in Penetanguishene.  

Please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/4real-renewable-energy-and-agriculture-training-tickets-360536774197 to learn more about the bursary. 

José Etcheverry 

York University 

rejose@yorku.ca 

416-458-7103