A Message From Geoff Love, Pivot Green
Earth Month 2026
Cynics claim that youth is wasted on the young. What they too often overlook is the good work many young people do, and nowhere is this more evident than the current fight against climate change.
The first Earth Day in 1970 attracted over 20 million (mostly young) followers in the US, with a few events in Canada. These actions got me fired up to work with Pollution Probe (hired by my future wife!), helping to run an environmental awareness program visiting schools and communities across Ontario. I also served as part of the team, including youth, who started the first Canadian Blue Box recycling program in Kitchener in 1981. That program received a UN award of recognition and led to my 45 year career in the area of “Extended Producer Responsibility” around the globe.
Fast forward to the next century. With Covid at its peak, six of us now retired Blue Box recyclers came together again to form Pivot Green and, with support from the remarkable Small Change Fund, created the Canadian Youth Climate Action Award in 2022. We knew there were success stories from the war on climate change and made it our group’s goal to seek out and celebrate those successes. Over four years, the Award has attracted 124 applications from youth-led groups all across Canada. We award a total of $25,000 each year and winners have ranged from neighbourhood local action projects to nation-wide climate advocacy programs. A list of this year’s remarkable winners can be found here. Our team feels so privileged to work with these amazing people.
It’s easy to be pessimistic about what lies ahead, given the daily turmoil in the news. But as with the good old ‘70s, youth continue to teach us there is no time for pessimism – it’s time to act. They have not given up. Neither should the rest of us.
– Geoff
Our newsletter banner this month features 2026 first place winners, Sundance Commons. Congratulations!
Building a Climate Community
Congratulations to our partners Climate Momentum who held their fifth annual Earth Day Street Party this past weekend in Stratford, Ontario. Featuring information tables, live music, food booths and kids activities, the event helps normalize climate action and reassures people that they are not alone in their concerns about climate change. “There’s a vibrant community of individuals and organizations right here in town that are working hard to fight climate change,” explains event organizer Kaitlyn Kochancy. “We want people to know they’re part of something bigger, and I think, five years in, that message is out there in the community.”
Not ones to rest on their laurels, this weekend Climate Momentum is hosting Catherine McKenna, former federal Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, for a public lecture in the Stratford City Hall Auditorium. There are just a few spots left for this free event — to register, click here.
Victory for Opinicon Lake
The Ontario Land Tribunal has ruled that the proposed expansion of Skycroft Campground on Opinicon Lake fell short in essential environmental protection standards and had not assessed the impact on the entire area. This is a major win for this sensitive ecosystem which is part of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere – identified by UNESCO as the most biodiverse region in Canada. As Reade Davis, Environmental Anthropologist and Director of Protect Opinicon explains, “This decision affirms that growth must be rooted in comprehensive environmental analysis and respect for the natural and cultural landscapes that define this region.”
Research supported by our project with Protect Opinicon shows that the proposed development area contains critical habitat for several species at risk, including the Cerulean Warbler and Gray Ratsnake. The proposed development would have reduced the forest canopy in that area to only 60% of its current cover and cleared the understory, negatively impacting both species at risk and the area’s biodiversity. A major thank you and congratulations to everyone who contributed to this important victory!
Celebrating Volunteers
April 19–25 was National Volunteer Week and we want to give a major shout out to all of the volunteers who help us create BIG change – from many of our partners and their teams to our volunteer board. From all of us at Small Change Fund, THANK YOU for your service!!
Looking for some inspiration? Check out Angela’s volunteer story and keep watch for additional volunteer spotlights throughout the year.
Tents to Cabins to Homes
Our partners Two Steps Home are collaborating with Durham Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation to launch the first transitional cabin community in Durham. This pilot will help 50 unhoused people move from the streets into secure, dignified housing and provide on-site supports to equip them for a successful transition into permanent housing. You can help us support this critical step towards ending the cycle of homelessness in Durham (and Toronto) by donating here!
Welcome Back, Sophia!
We are delighted to welcome Sophia Young back full-time for the summer! A nationally-recognized youth transit advocate, Sophia works part-time as Program Coordinator for Get on the Bus throughout the school year. This will be her third summer with Small Change Fund and we look forward to this next chapter of her journey with our team. We also want to congratulate Sophia on recently receiving the 2026 Michael Rawson Clark Award from the University of Alberta Sustainability Council. This award recognizes students who are working to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the campus and in their community. Congrats, Sophia!
No Music on a Dead Planet
Our partners Music Declares Emergency Canada made their third JUNOs appearance this year. The key focus for this high-profile collaboration was to encourage attendees to take public transit to the event. The team succeeded in getting the host city of Hamilton to provide free transit for all ticket holders, along with offering an incentive in the form of a draw for an electric scooter. The team was also present with a table outside of the gala to share the bold, and chillingly accurate, message “No Music on a Dead Planet,” speaking to the importance of climate leadership in the music industry. Check out our project together here.
Organizing for a Youth Climate Corps
We are thrilled to continue supporting the development of a national Youth Climate Corps. While the 2025 federal funding commitment towards the launch was a major breakthrough, the fight continues to ensure the pilot grows into a bold new public program providing good pay and careers in the growing clean economy. Led by many of the same ambitious youth who saw the campaign through to a national launch, we are working to scale the Youth Climate Corps into a program that provides tens of thousands of good, green jobs. You can support our efforts here.
Small News Bites
- Karen Barnes will return to court on May 4 as the City of Burlington continues to pursue a costly fight over Karen’s naturalized garden. Help us set a precedent for natural gardeners in Burlington and beyond by contributing towards Karen’s battle.
- Tune into the Building a Liveable Ontario podcast by following @liveableontario on YouTube. The podcast, hosted by Franz Hartmann, focusses on building liveable neighbourhoods, safeguarding food and water security, and making homes affordable across the province. For a sneak peek, including introductions to some of the diverse range of guests on the show, check out this preview.
- Applications are open for the Trellis Fund as part of our efforts alongside the Gardner Bursary Fund to support the next generation of clean energy professionals. Individuals who self-identify as women and are studying to play a role in Canada’s clean energy transition are encouraged to apply.
- The groundbreaking Fairy Creek film has been nominated for “Best Sound Design in a Feature Documentary” at the Canadian Screen Awards. Congratulations to everyone involved and good luck!!
- Our partners at 350 Canada have launched Toxic Trivia – designed to debunk the fossil fuel industry’s propaganda and build public opposition towards expanding the industry in a fun and engaging way.
Happy Earth Month!!
Warmly,
The Small Change Fund team
P.S. Your donation directly to Small Change Fund allows us to keep improving services and supports to help more grassroots projects succeed nationwide. Thank you for helping make change!
