MARKHAM, ON ~ Markham has launched a new website to give youth the opportunity to share their ideas on the future of Markham and win great prizes by participating. As part of Green Print – Markham’s community sustainability plan – www.markham.ca/greenprint engages students ages 11 to 18 in helping Markham become a greener, healthier and more prosperous community.

“Our youth are Markham’s future,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “We need their fresh, creative ideas to shape Markham, and help make it the place they are going to want to live, work and play.”

The online challenge runs until December 12, 2008 and features:
• daily polls on a variety of social, environmental and cultural topics
• a weekly photo contest with changing themes, such as transportation, parks and the environment
• the Quest for the Best Markham contest which calls for short, written submissions about how to build a greener community, and
• a reward for the top three schools with the highest student participation in the Quest.

Some of the prizes include a bike and helmet, a digital camera, an Apple 8GB iPod nano, and VIVA transit tickets. Schools can win up to $2,500 to put towards a sustainability-themed project to help make the school greener.

Ideas submitted will be considered for Markham’s official Green Print plan – a long-term vision that will help the community achieve a balanced approach to environment, culture, social well-being and economic development.
 
Learn More
• To participate, visit www.markham.ca/greenprint  
• Check us out on YouTube