Okanagan Climate Hub’s Climate Week

When the Okanagan Climate Hub’s leader, Tracey Davis, realized that there were no climate events happening around Earth Day in the Kelowna region, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Inspired by other climate groups up and down the Okanagan Valley, Tracey was empowered to organize her first set of events called LOVE KELOWNA including a Dynamic Speaker Series – which took place each day leading up to Earth Day – and putting together a celebration of trees and a scavenger hunt event on the day itself.

“Although it was exhausting to put together a full week of events, especially being my first time organizing events, it was worth it because there were new faces at the events, and the lunchtime Speaker events went over time because there was so much engagement and interesting questions,” remarks Tracey. She also notes that “there is obviously a thirst for listening to local speakers,” on the variety of sustainability topics covered throughout the week.

Collaborating and amplifying many local organizers and groups (such as Sylix knowledge keepers, Fridays for Future Kelowna, Kelowna Tree Protectors and Better World Club), Tracey and the Okanagan Climate Hub were able to successfully lead a week of fantastic events in her community – potentially setting the course for an annual event!