Eagle Ridge to host youth environmental summit, concert 

High school students from across Greater Victoria will have a chance to showcase ideas on environmental challenges and sustainable living, while hearing from the big guns in climate science, such as the University of VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Andrew Weaver. 

The latter half of the event is slated for emerging local bands, slam poets and youth artists.

B次元官网网址淲e want young talent to perform and mix in the environmental message B次元官网网址� using music as the medium,B次元官网网址� said Judy Fainstein, the event organizer and founder of YesBC, a youth environmental leadership program. B次元官网网址淭he whole idea of doing this festival is thinking about what is relevant to youth.B次元官网网址�

Fainstein plans to bus in about 200 leadership students from three school districts for morning sustainability seminars and workshops at Eagle Ridge arena in Langford on April 21, one day before Earth Day. Students will have a chance to talk about the successes and lessons behind environmental projects, such as BelmontB次元官网网址檚 recent rollout of its school-wide recycling program.

Coined as a celebration of B次元官网网址測outh power,B次元官网网址� Cindy Moyer with Climate Action West Shore, a partner in the project, said the summit and festival is a prime chance for leadership students to network and share ideas on environmental innovations. 

B次元官网网址淜ids need a platform to express themselves and talk about the world they are creating. Many of these kids are leaders now and we need to support them,B次元官网网址� Moyer said. B次元官网网址淭his will introduce students to options out there.B次元官网网址�

The B次元官网网址渙ff the gridB次元官网网址� aspect of the Off the Grid Music and art Festival comes from Saanich-based Energy Alternatives, which is powering the entertainment stage with a mobile, solar-powered power station.

B次元官网网址淭he idea is to produce this off the grid,B次元官网网址� Fainstein said. B次元官网网址淚 like the idea of going off the grid with the music. It sends a powerful message.B次元官网网址� 

Energy Alternatives plans to truck in a shipping container equipped with solar panels and battery banks, and that doubles as a demonstration unit. Typically mobile power units are used in remote work camps and isolated communities.

B次元官网网址淭he unit can go for a couple of days. Music doesnB次元官网网址檛 use that much power,B次元官网网址� said Kevin Pegg, president of Energy Alternatives. B次元官网网址淭here will be a full demo. People will get to see how it all works.B次元官网网址�

The Off the Grid festival on April 21 is calling for musicians, performers and artists. E-mail info@offthegridfestival.ca  or call 250-478-1130 for more information on participating. See www.offthegridfestival.ca for more information on the event. 

Students are encouraged to fill out a survey regarding the festival. Find the link on the festival website.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com