Lacombe Composite High School student Broc Johnson will be jetting off to Cali, Colombia to take part in the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in late October.
It's an extraordinary opportunity for Johnson, who is in Grade 12, and is a dedicated member of the school's internationally-recognized and groundbreaking EcoVision program.
"Basically, it's going to include collaborating with students from about 75 different countries," he said.
"We will be able to share our experiences, and why we are passionate about biodiversity. I'll also get to share my experiences with biodiversity and the environment here at school, such as our Food Forest and our Indigenous Garden, which has re-introduced Indigenous plants to our area that were originally native to Alberta."
Broc's father and his teacher, Steve Schultz, will be joining him for the landmark trip.
"We leave on Oct.19 and return on the 28th," added Schultz, who also heads up EcoVision.
"I think we were selected for a couple of reasons. Number one is that Broc has shown exemplary leadership.
"He is very passionate about what he is doing, and very committed, He puts in 10 to 20 hours every week to take care of our gardens, and to harvest our plants. He's also been very willing to soak in every leadership skill I've given him.
"The group we are working with, called the Centre for Global Education, was also very impressed with his work ethic, and his desire to contribute to the voices of 75 different countries," said Schultz, adding that Johnson will soon be working on a paper along with students from all the other countries set to converge on Cali.
"They will talk about what actions they would like leaders of their particular countries to take. We will take the unified themes from that, and create a manifesto," said Schultz, adding the youth will also be taking part in a Google classroom where they will be presenting the manifesto to Canadian youth.
"We will be setting a date and time for that presentation to take place."
Schultz said another key aspect of the trip is to expose Johnson to all kinds of international views on the possibilities of biodiversity. He will also be able to share what EcoVison has been up to as well with his global counterparts.
As mentioned, EcoVision has a global reach now thanks to the innovative efforts of Schultz and his students.
Examples run the gamut from the aforementioned Indigenous Garden, which has brought back species highly valued by Indigenous peoples, said Schultz.
"This is a gift to our Indigenous peoples - re-introducing 25 species of plants that have disappeared from the landscape," he explained. "We are now opening up that garden to any Indigenous folks to come and harvest.
Another local project is the schools' Food Forest.
"We have more than 250 trees now, and 35 different species of fruit trees. Again, the diversity of it really allows it to thrive," he said.
"We also have a tropical, near net-zero greenhouse. In there, we have the opportunity to grow bio-diverse herbs, tropical plants, and even raise tropical fish. So we will be talking about all of that at the conference, and encouraging other schools about what is possible if you just put your mind to it, and if you foster leaders."
Meanwhile, Johnson is asking the community for donations to help fund his way to Columbia, plus to help provide sponsorship for a student from Peru to attend the conference as well.
He said the community has been wonderful with its support through such events as bottle drives, cash donations, and through his attendance at the local Farmer's Market.
But there is still a bit of a ways to go.
"We'd like to thank our community," added Schultz.
"They have really stepped up."
And beyond the coming conference, the sky is really the limit for EcoVision, too.
"We are moving towards a community model, where eventually a non-profit would be overseeing our gardens and our projects. This would help to provide the support our teachers and our schools need."
For further information about how to support Johnson for the coming trip, email steven.schultz@wolfcreek.ab.ca.
