Environment & Diversity

HEN is a founding member of the Halton Environment & Diversity Network (HEDN). Members of this network currently include Halton Multicultural Council, The Centre for Skills Development and Training, The Centre for Education and Training, Conservation Halton, Credit Valley Conservation, and FutureWatch Environment & Development Education Partners. HEDN meets regularly to discuss current initiatives in Halton and collaborate on methods and events for connecting newcomer families to nature.

One of the focuses of the HEDN is the Natural Connections program. Natural Connections is a new collaborative outreach and engagement initiative between Conservation Halton and FutureWatch aimed at connecting new communities in Halton to their precious natural surroundings. These connections will serve as starting points to discuss social integration and local environmental issues, programs, services and opportunities. This initiative is designed to engage residents through a social, two-way dialogue that focuses as much on introducing residents to local conservation and recreation programs as it does on learning from their diverse perspectives on the environment. The Natural Connections initiative has developed a the Newcomer Environmental Club (NEC) to engage environmental professionals in learning about International and Canadian environmental practices, services in Halton Region, working on greening projects, connecting other immigrants to their natural surroundings, and gaining experience for employment in the environmental sector. Natural Connections is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

HEN is also working on connecting with immigrant communities by integrating multilingual resources on the website. This is a work in progress. If you would like to assist with this, please email outreach@haltonenvironment.ca.

If you are interested in finding out more about Environment & Diversity or the HEDN, please email outreach@haltonenvironment.ca or subscribe to our monthly Environment & Diversity newsletter.

History

In March 2011, the Halton Environmental Network received a mini-grant through the Environment & Diversity Program of the Sustainability Network. Grants totalling $25,400 were awarded to six organizations across Ontario to assist them in becoming more diverse and inclusive organizations. HEN received $5,000 to increase the effectiveness of its outreach by connecting with the various immigrant communities in Halton.

HEN began outreach to various groups through connecting with local settlement agencies to hold focus groups to assess the needs of newcomers in Halton Region. Resulting from the focus groups, HEN made presentations to government, engaged in social media and newsletter outreach, produced a multilingual banner, and shared the outcomes in a webinar in early 2012.

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