Environmental Exchange Program Welcomes Costa Rican Youth

Young people from Nova Scotia and Costa Rica who were hired to work together on environmental projects this summer will start training in Wolfville on Tuesday, July 4.

From July 4 to 6, Acadia University will be home to more than 50 members of the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps and the Environmental Leadership Program.

The Environmental Leadership Program is a four-month cross-cultural exchange between youth aged 19-24 from Nova Scotia and Costa Rica.

The three-day session will provide participants with skills to help them in their summer jobs. Training will take place in occupational health and safety, emergency first aid, and safe lifting practices. The session is also an opportunity for participants to share ideas, experiences and opinions about emerging environmental issues.

"We are thrilled to have youth from Nova Scotia and Costa Rica working together on environmental projects," said Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour. "The training sessions allow them to learn about different cultures, gain basic workplace training and become more environmentally aware."

Under the program, Nova Scotians have worked on environmental projects in Costa Rica while being hosted by Costa Rican families.

The Costa Ricans returned with their Nova Scotia partners to begin work on environmental projects in the province.

Costa Rican participants come from different parts of their country and will be working with their Nova Scotia colleagues in Port Hood, Halifax, Antigonish, and Sackville. Projects include efforts aimed at environmental education, recycling programs, and water quality.

For more information on the Nova Scotia Youth Conservation Corps or the Environmental Leadership Program, see the website at www.gov.ns.ca/enla/youth .