Photo by Isabelle Ford-Roy
We're all about action, education, and advocacy.
Sustainable Milton is a nonprofit, non-partisan environmental advocacy group located in Milton, Ontario. Our goal is to create a sustainable and resilient Milton through initiatives that help reduce the impacts of climate change. Environment First, Solution Focused. That’s the essence of Sustainable Milton.
Our story.
Sustainable Milton began as a response to a Milton Town Council budget. In the summer of 2019, the Council joined hundreds of municipalities in declaring a climate emergency. But when the 2020 budget was tabled a few months later, there was nothing in it to support the declaration. That was the catalyst and impetus for the creation of Sustainable Milton.
Many Milton residents wanted to organize and mobilize to take action on climate change and to influence Council. On January 29, 2020, a roomful of passionate and committed Miltonians attended the first planing meeting. They were hungry to make a difference for themselves and future generations. They poured hundreds of hours into creating the vision, values, and bylaws that became Sustainable Milton.
Despite the complications of the COVID lockdown, the first Annual General Meeting was held on July 30, 2020. Almost one year to the day after Milton Council had declared a climate emergency.
We emphasize community participation, collaboration, and empowerment.
Stewardship
Much of our work focuses on building up our strongest natural defence against climate change: the land. We tend community gardens, plant trees, host invasive species pulls, and educate on the importance of native plants. All these activities improve biodiversity, sequester carbon, and conserve water.
Collaboration
We welcome all who share the vision and values of a sustainable Milton. Our diverse, multicultural group builds solidarity and fosters creativity and passion. A collaborative approach ensures that all members’ concerns about the environment are addressed.
Integrity
We operate with transparency, accountability, and professionalism. Members of Sustainable Milton are welcome to run for a position on our Board of Directors at our Annual General Meeting. Our AGMs are always open to the public.
Engagement
We hold workshops and invite guest speakers to lead lectures. This sharing of knowledge raises awareness about different topics and drives action to create responsible change. We put special emphasis on engaging Milton’s youth, giving them opportunities to practice leadership and gain volunteer hours.
Our goals are ambitious,
but we're determined.
Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Milton.
Protect and enhance Milton’s natural heritage. This includes the Niagara Escarpment and the surrounding Greenbelt area. It’s also important to protect the urban canopy, watercourses, wetlands and woodlots of the town.
Create a culture of environmental stewardship across all Milton sectors.
Advance sustainability through continued dialogue with Miltonians and policy-makers on a variety of topics. This includes urban design, land development, and transportation systems.
Advance the circular economy by promoting the continual reuse of products, their packaging, and the promotion of a zero-waste lifestyle.
Encourage businesses and governments to adopt the “triple bottom line” framework. They should measure their financial, social, and environmental performances instead of only focusing on profit.
Community Engagement, Awareness, and Action
Increase awareness of our organization in Milton and the surrounding region. Encourage active participation in our activities and events.
Partner and collaborate with individuals, the community, local businesses, the Town of Milton and the Halton Region.
Actively engage youth in leadership initiatives, with the collaborative involvement of teachers and educational institutions.
Organizational Capacity, Accountability, and Impact
Strengthen and grow our organizational capacity, accountability, and impact. This includes establishing our Board and governance structure, growing our membership, seeking opportunities and partnerships, securing funding, implementing activities, and reporting on our outcomes.
Why the sunflowers and bumblebees?
The sunflower, in its constant movement toward the light, is a symbol of positive, forward thinking. It’s our fundamental attitude here at Sustainable Milton. The sunflower is an encouraging image which counters the often gloomy realities of climate change, such as the fate of the Rusty-patched Bumblebee. The Rusty-patched was once a common sight in the gardens and fields surrounding Milton. Now their last known location in Canada is in Ontario’s Pinery Provincial Park.
Board of Directors
Wendy Roberts
Chair
Marina Huissoon
Vice Chair
Mike Druiven
Treasurer
Ashley Raza
Secretary
Mary Brown
Events Team Director
Maliha Ahmed Khan
Business Engagement
Director
Sandra Voisin
Communications Director
Hannah Wills
Youth Task Force
Director
John Beaudette
Director at Large
Yogita Galhotra
Director at Large
Karen Lauriston
Director at Large
Gail Meehan
Director at Large
Mishal Naseer
Communications Team Support
Director at Large
Umamah Naz
Director at Large - Youth
Manju Sekhri
Business Team Support Director at Large
Ian Thompson
Director at Large
Matthew Wagar
Director at Large
Youth Task Force
Hannah Mills
Youth Task Force Lead
Umamah Naz
Youth Task Force Advisor
Zainab Nizami
Youth Task Force Advisor
“Transformation is not accomplished by tentative wading at the edge.”
Robin Wall Kimmerer
Indigenous Environmentalist and Scientist