Three Haida Gwaii youth camps to go solar thanks to Bullfrog Power and Swiilawiid Sustainability Society partnership

Three Haida Gwaii youth camps to go solar thanks to Bullfrog Power and Swiilawiid Sustainability Society partnership

Monday June 26, 2017

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Haida Gwaii, BCSolar: A Bright Future—a series of solar installations at Haida Gwaii youth camps in British Columbia—is being announced today alongside a partnership between Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, and Swiilawiid Sustainability Society (Swiilawiid), a Haida Gwaii community non-profit. Through the partnership, Bullfrog Power will provide financial support to enable the construction of three solar installations at remote youth summer camps with the ReDiscovery Haida Gwaii Program, Swan Bay Rediscovery Camp and Mount Moresby Adventure Camp.

“These solar installations demonstrate Haida Gwaii’s commitment to work towards a renewable and environmentally sustainable future. I went to Haida Gwaii Rediscovery when I was a young teen and it was really transformative. We are so excited to be helping foster the next generation of environmental leaders,” said Valine Crist, Coordinator, Swiilawiid Sustainability Society.

Solar: A Bright Future is an initiative to reduce the camps’ environmental footprint, showing youth and local communities how to be environmental stewards and to learn more about energy systems on Haida Gwaii. Youth who attend the camp will have the opportunity to learn about solar potential and see first-hand that small-scale clean energy is possible.

“Swiilawiid’s Solar: A Bright Future is an inspiring example that renewable energy is possible on Haida Gwaii and will illustrate the potential for small-scale renewable energy on the Islands,” said Ron Seftel, CEO, Bullfrog Power. “Thanks to the support of individuals and businesses across Canada who choose renewable energy with Bullfrog Power, we’re able to support this community-led transition to cleaner forms of energy.”

Through its community renewable projects program, Bullfrog Power has supported more than 115 green energy projects nationwide. Across Canada, Bullfrog Power community projects include the Hope Blooms solar greenhouse in Halifax as well as solar projects with the Lutsel K’e Dene First Nation in the Northwest Territories and B.C.’s Kanaka Bar Indian Band.

As hosts of the new solar installations, each organization sees the potential for growth that Solar: A Bright Future represents:

  • “We’re so excited to be putting up solar panels at our camp this year! Being off-grid, this will be a great opportunity to teach our youth about energy. We’re so used to walking into a room, flicking on a switch and having light. We’re totally unaware of where our electricity comes from,” said Rosemary Hart, Steering Committee Member, ReDiscovery Haida Gwaii.
  • “Swan Bay Rediscovery is dedicated to helping young people to learn about the Haida Stewardship laws that are founded in the cultural concept of Yah’guudang—respect for all things and all things are connected and depend upon each other. This requires caring for the land and sea and not wasting. The solar panels will provide an opportunity to add renewable energy curriculum to the camp sessions,” said April Churchill, Manager, Swan Bay Rediscovery.
  • “As an off-grid facility, Mount Moresby desires to minimize its impact on the environment through reducing diesel consumption for its lights and food systems,” said Geoff Horner, Associate Coordinator, Mount Moresby Adventure Camp.

About Bullfrog Power
Bullfrog Power, Canada’s leading green energy provider, offers renewable energy solutions that enable individuals and businesses to reduce their environmental impact, support the development of green energy projects in Canada and help create a cleaner, healthier world. As a Certified B Corporation, Bullfrog Power meets higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Thousands of individuals and businesses in Canada are doing their part to address climate change and air pollution by choosing green energy with Bullfrog Power. Sign up easily, quickly and affordably at bullfrogpower.com.

Join the bullfrogpowered community online on Facebook (facebook.com/BullfrogPower), Instagram (@bullfrogpower) and Twitter (@bullfrogpower).

About Swiilawiid Sustainability Society
Swiilawiid is a fledgling non-profit society founded by local residents who want to contribute to a positive future for the Islands. Our work helps create and innovate sustainable solutions that maintain our well-being. For more information, visit swiilawiid.org.

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Contact Bullfrog Power: Jon McKay, Corporate Communications Manager, 416.360.3464 ext. 239, jon.mckay@bullfrogpower.com

Contact Swiilawiid Sustainability Society: Valine Crist, Coordinator, info@swiilawiid.org