About
Your U-turn is a resource and connection point to empower youth initiatives that aim to turn our current course towards a greener path. In many instances it has been Surrey’s youth initiatives that have lead to many tangible examples of environmental stewardship. Surrey Youth Stewardship Squad (SYSS) and the Salmon Habitat & Restoration Program (SHaRP) are just two of five youth programs that are offered by the City of Surrey.
Our vision is to promote sustainability through peer-based education and community-driven public awareness programs. Your U-turn provides an opportunity for students to bring or enhance stewardship projects at their respective schools through providing:
- Resources and support through the Your U-turn website
- Scheduled workshops
- Your U-turn youth advisory committee
- A program coordinator who can work with students to help jump start campaigns
Students who volunteer with Your U-turn are able to complete 30 hours of community service hours required for the Graduation Transitions Program. As well, the Your U-turn game show is offered to Grade 10 planning classes to promote Your U-turn resources and bring awareness about environmental sustainability issues in the City of Surrey.
“Sustainability” means meeting the needs of the present generation in terms of socio-cultural systems, the economy and the environment while promoting a high quality of life but without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The City of Surrey has finalized the Surrey Sustainability Charter. As part of the first steps in “walking the talk”, Surrey is dedicated to educating and supporting Surrey communities to make steps towards sustainable living. As part of the immediate implementation strategy, Surrey will work to "increase public education and the sharing of information on sustainability."
Although the Your U-turn web resources currently offered are predominantly geared towards achieving environmental sustainability, we hope to evolve this site to include a more comprehensive view of sustainability and its related solutions. As a first step, Your U-turn bridges the gap between governmental decision-making and citizen engagement, building the capacity to move towards broader community involvement.
We appreciate the City of Surrey, Environment Canada and Passion for Action for their contributions to this project.
