Richmond students raise money to protect parks

Two J.N. Burnett students want to raise money to protect Canada’s parks.

Cedric Lin and Anna Lee, members of J.N. Burnett secondary’s Green Team, have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society and, in doing so, bring awareness to the link between climate change and human health.

Lin said he wanted to make good use of his time during the pandemic, and while he and Lee can’t have any fundraisers where people would gather – to limit the spread of COVID-19 – they launched the GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $3,000 for the Canadian charity that works to protect public lands and water as well as protecting nature within parks.

 Lin pointed out this is particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic as governments are strapped for money, and his fear is funds will be diverted from protecting the environment.

Lin said he’s worried the threat of climate change will be put on the back burner and that decades-long efforts to live more sustainable, for example, to recycle and reuse products are being forgotten.

“I’ve always been very concerned about the environment, but I think (the threat to the environment) has been aggravated by the pandemic,” he said, adding “Within less than half a year, we’ve reversed decades of change.”

While it’s “absolutely critical” to follow public health, it shouldn’t be to the detriment of the environment, he added.

Lin joined the Green Team at Burnett secondary wanting to give back to the community and work to protect the park system, something that’s close to this heart.

The Green Team’s values of protecting the environment and pushing for sustainable energy, protection of wildlife and nature and conservation efforts aligned with his love of nature, Lin explained.

To find the Green Team’s fundraiser, click here.