Climate Action Learning & Leadership Program!
Introducing the CALL Program:
Empowering Change through Action
In the world of conservation science, a stark reality persists: marginalized communities bear the majority of the burden from climate change while being under-represented.
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The Climate Action Learning & Leadership (CALL) Program is a dynamic initiative rooted in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) principles. Our mission is to engage and inspire youth from historically underrepresented and marginalized communities (low-income neighbourhoods, Black/Indigenous/People of Colour, and new Canadians) to combat climate change.
In a world marked by socioeconomic inequalities, marginalized youth often find themselves deprived of exposure to conservation science. As a result, they remain unaware of the diverse range of careers available or are discouraged from pursuing an education in conservation. This perpetuates a cycle where their potential contributions to conservation are untapped and underutilized.In a world marked by socioeconomic inequalities, marginalized youth often find themselves deprived of exposure to conservation science. As a result, they remain unaware of the diverse range of careers available or are discouraged from pursuing an education in conservation. This perpetuates a cycle where their potential contributions to conservation are untapped and underutilized.
By providing unique experiences, the CALL Program raises awareness of climate change and provides conservation science career opportunities. A key aspect is equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to create their own climate change projects within their communities. Together with community partners, the CALL Program fosters collaboration, igniting a ripple effect of transformative action. Join us in this empowering journey of change.
For questions or queries, please email
[email protected]
Explore & Play App : On Thin Ice
On Thin Ice allows guests to explore how climate change disrupts Arctic life. By downloading the free app and connecting to the On Thin Ice experience, guests can interact with life-sized AR Arctic animals and learn about their adaptations and the climate challenges they face. (A preview of the experience is available off-site.)
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INTERNSHIP
Building Leadership through Climate Action Internships
(Ages 18+) -
- Duration: 12 weeks, small group of 4 people for an immersive experience.
- Paid internship program.
- Application available to the general public.
- Zoo experience: Interns will explore areas of the zoo like Wildlife Care, Wildlife Health, Nutrition, Exhibit Design, Reproductive Science, Conservation, Horticulture, and Learning & Engagement.
The CALL Intern Program is a 12-week paid internship for youth looking to get a better understanding of the various career options in conservation. The CALL Interns work in various areas of the Zoo, for example, nutrition, horticulture, wildlife care, and conservation programs, to gain valuable work experience, and knowledge and build transferrable skills. Leadership skills and communication skills will be developed through engaging others (guests, Zoo Members, their community, and online followers) about the program, their experiences, and conservation. Various platforms of interactions help them develop organizational/planning skills through designing/delivering programming (e.g. on/off-site events/ virtual broadcasts) and engaging audiences in activities related to conservation. A few of the CALL interns from 2021 have since been employed in other positions at the Toronto Zoo, and a few are continuing on by pursuing higher education in the field of conservation.
CALL Summer 2024 Wrap Up
Spotlight: Featured CALL Intern Projects
Hear Them Out
By voicing out the plight of six species we shed light on the broader struggle faced by countless others.
Hear them out. This is our CALL to action.
Climate Change & Biodiversity
Our intern visited John G. Diefenbaker to educate over 40 grade 4 and 5 students on climate change and biodiversity. The day ran from 9:00am to 11:50am and included a slideshow presentation, a seed-planting activity, and a session where students created a "Call to Action" banner to be displayed in the school. Biodiversity was a major focus of the day, as it is often less understood than climate change. The discussion covered threats to biodiversity, particularly invasive species found in the students' local area.
The students also learned about the impact of biodiversity loss and how climate change negatively affects Indigenous communities. The goal of the project was to guide students toward climate action by teaching them concepts they may not have previously understood and inspiring them to take action by showing how these issues directly impact their lives.
After encouraging the students to protect the environment, our intern provided practical tools through the seed-planting activity, which illustrated a hands-on example of climate action. This activity, along with the discussion, led the students to create a "Call to Action" banner. By decorating this banner, they participated in both a fun art project and created a meaningful reminder of their commitment to climate action.
Ultimately, the goal was to provide these students with a unique experience, helping them see biodiversity and climate change not just as school subjects but as real-life challenges they can help solve. The project also provided our intern with valuable skills in project management and child education, further motivating a commitment to climate action through education.
CALL Lunch & Learn: An Indigenous Lens on Conservation & Outreach
To promote understanding among staff about the role of Two-Eyed Seeing and traditional knowledge in conservation, and to provide ways to support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives both as zoo staff (through public education, incorporating traditional knowledge in wildlife care, horticulture, signage, etc.) and as individuals (by supporting organizations and communities).
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YOUTH GROUP
Engaging Climate Action Champions
(Ages 13 to 17) -
- Duration: 2-4 weeks (July and August), 10-15 participants per session.
- Coordinated bus transportation provided, lunch and snacks included.
- Application exclusive for youth part of four community partners: Woodgreen, Storefront, Native Child & Family Services, Toronto Community Housing.
- Zoo experience: Participants learn about biodiversity, climate change, and its impact on wildlife from Zoo staff.
- Youth are awarded prizes and track engagement with Zoo guests.
- Additional Opportunities: Integration into the Volunteer Program at the Toronto Zoo and other partner organizations after the program.
The Youth Climate Action Champions program, for ages 13-16, is a 2-week experience where the youth learn from Zoo staff about biodiversity and climate change, and their impacts on wildlife. A key aspect of this program is also having the youth work together in small teams, under the guidance of Zoo staff, to create and deliver action-oriented projects. These have involved hosting multiple onsite events for Zoo guests including info booths and trivia games. The goal of the program is that these experiences will flow into additional opportunities for these youth e.g. integrating them into our Volunteer program at the Toronto Zoo/other partner volunteer opportunities, and further provide them with hands-on experiences when applying for positions at the Zoo or other like-minded organizations committed to protecting biodiversity.
Spotlight: Featured CALL Youth Projects
Team Tiger: The youth focused on the Sumatran tigers for their project, educating the public on the species, current threats they are facing (ex. Palm oil production and climate change), and how you can take action to help them at home.
Pollution Project: The youth focused on educating the public about the impacts of pollution on aquatic species. They hosted their project in the Americas pavilion and gave short presentations about their topic, showed visitors their materials (poster, pamphlets and an art piece), and gave out prizes to guests who participated in a round of trivia (they created different levels for different ages).
Recap of cohort 1 of the 2023 CALL Youth Champions Program. In partnership with East Scarborough Storefront.
Recap of cohort 3 of the 2023 CALL Youth Champions Program. In partnership with WoodGreen Community Services.
Testimonials:
The CALL internship was an amazing opportunity to be a part of. I had the chance to network with many Toronto Zoo staff members and expand my knowledge of climate change and conservation. This internship taught me so much, and I was able to develop my skill set by participating in various initiatives and events around the zoo. Overall, I highly recommend the CALL internship program, and I'm incredibly thankful for the experience.
Kayajny Shanmugam – CALL Building Leadership through Climate Action Intern 2024
“The CALL Program was a very great program that has taught me a lot about climate change and environment conservation. I enjoyed touring around the zoo and learning about the different animals, how endangered they are, and how we can protect them. All around, I loved every single day and everyone I worked with during the program. I have learned a lot, and I'm so grateful for the experience.”
Laura – CALL Engaging Climate Action Champions Participant 2023
“The CALL program was a great opportunity to learn about climate change, its impacts, and what we can do to help. I enjoyed the culminating project as I got to learn more about my peers while using critical thinking skills to problem solve. As COVID impacted my confidence in public speaking, through the CALL, I attained new public speaking skills. Additionally, I enjoyed the team-building tasks as I learned to be a stronger leader.”
Faith – CALL Engaging Climate Action Champions Participant 2023
“Everything about the program was great! Our AMAZING CALL mentors … were more than amazing. They were with us every step of the way, and they definitely made our time at the zoo more exciting. They brought in so many guests and introduced us to so many people, all of which gave us a very blessed experience.”
Azan – CALL Engaging Climate Action Champions Participant 2021
“CALL internship was an excellent opportunity for me to learn about animals and climate change. I always wanted to do something about climate change and animal conservation, but I was unable to do something about it due to a lack of opportunity in my community. Thanks to the CALL internship I was able to meet lots of amazing people at the Toronto Zoo. Who taught me a lot about climate change and conservation. I am grateful to them. Because of the CALL internship, I feel like I am better equipped for the future and many other climate change challenges we might face in the future. Thank you CALL Program for giving me this amazing opportunity to learn and have fun at the same time.”
Farhan – CALL Building Leadership through Climate Action Intern 2021
“Through the CALL Youth Program, I was able to improve my communication skills. Improve my knowledge on climate change and wildlife, and was introduced to many jobs in the community.”
Recyer – CALL Engaging Climate Action Champions Participant 2022
