Lethbridge Family Services is striving to connect newcomers to the natural environment in their new community.
The Community Connection Program at LFS hosts the Interpretive Nature Hike on Friday, June 6. Program manager Najib Mangal explains that it is a full-day activity that consists of a roughly six-mile hike in the Pincher Creek area.
“We nominate a group of newcomers, and these individuals are from different walks of life or different immigration streams, and in a way, we’re helping newcomers to connect with the lands, [learn] about the local ecology and [build] a sense of belonging, kind of through an immersive outdoor experience,” Mangal says.
He adds that the program has received support from ParticipACTION for the last three years, and the Interpretive Nature Hike is also a collaboration with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. About 25 to 30 newcomers will take part.
According to figures from Statistics Canada, newcomers to Canada and their Canadian-born children are expected to make up 52.4 per cent of the nation’s population by 2041.
Mangal says building deeper connections with one’s natural environment is so important, and hosting this hike through the partnership with ParticipACTION will help many people.
“We came across this [ParticipACTION funding] three years ago and we thought this was perfect for what we are doing and what we are aiming for – to connect newcomers to the land and connect newcomers to the communities, so we jumped right on,” he states.
CANADA’S MOST ACTIVE COMMUNITY
Through the hike, Mangal says they are also vying for the title of ‘Canada’s Most Active Community’ as part of the ParticipACTION Community Challenge presented by Novo Nordisk. Throughout the month of June, communities across the country, including Lethbridge, will be leading initiatives for the chance at that title and a $100,000 prize.
“We have to enter our photos and description of the activity we have done into a draw [for a chance to win], and we’re excited, we’re hoping. I think this year we’re going to get it,” Mangal remarks. “We can put that money into good use.”
“Our job is to connect newcomers to the land, to the community, to the people, it’s about climatization and I think that money will go to a good cause.”
More details on the Community Challenge are available at the ParticipACTION website.
