High School Student Plants Community Gardens to Foster Connection and Hope
Clara Misener: New Environmental Champion
Story provided by: Jordan Anne Rich
Clara Misener is a high school student based in Perth, ON. Naturally more reserved, she never would have imagined herself as she is today, giving speeches and presentations with ease on pertinent topics such as climate anxiety. What started as a step outside her comfort zone to join the CNL Youth Group led to the development of her self-confidence and the inspiration behind the climate action of countless others.
The youth group helped Clara become more comfortable sharing ideas and speaking up about important issues. It also introduced her to the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project, which she joined in 2020 as a way of making a difference locally amidst the heights of COVID-19. As a Butterflyway Ranger, she contributed to the development of numerous community and individual pollinator gardens throughout Perth. Last summer she created plant packages to share with the community to aid others in creating and improving native pollinator habitats. Due largely to Clara’s efforts, Perth is now recognized as an official stop in the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway.
Clara describes community gardens as places where everyone can gather. She believes they can be used as a tool to inspire people to take action by showcasing wildflowers and other native plants to better support native pollinators. Since starting as a Butterflyway Ranger, Clara has noticed a much larger public awareness surrounding native pollinators and the importance of native plants in supporting them. Before, she would start a conversation with residents by explaining what native plants are and the benefits of planting them, but now, Clara finds people are much more familiar with the topic. She has even noticed many more native plants in people’s gardens!
When asked what advice Clara would give to others wishing to make a change, she reminds everyone to not be afraid, saying:
“I wish I wasn’t as afraid to step up in the beginning”
realizing that:
“A lot of climate action is speaking up and yes, some people may judge but in the long run it doesn’t matter because it could make a difference in the future.”
Clara’s story reminds us of the importance of taking the first step, after all, you never know who you may inspire.
Find more about the David Suzuki Foundation’s Butterflyway Project here.
Thank you again to Jordan Anne Rich for interviewing Clara and giving her story the voice it deserves.
