Every summer, West Coast’s Summer Outreach Coordinator leads a team of dedicated volunteers to attend events throughout the Lower Mainland, sharing West Coast’s work and vision for the future. From Kitsilano to Surrey, from concerts to farmer’s markets, we love chatting about the work happening at West Coast.

If you're in the Lower Mainland, don’t be shy – come and say hello!

We chatted with this year’s Summer Outreach Coordinator, Tra Mi Do Le, about why having a presence at public events is so important.

Hi Tra Mi! What led you to apply to be West Coast’s Summer Outreach Coordinator this year?

As an Environmental Sciences student, I felt strong pulls to venture outside of the typical classroom setting and help amplify the message around environmental justice issues impacting our communities. I joined West Coast's Street Legal Team as a volunteer last summer, which was one of my first introductions to community outreach. After that experience, I felt invigorated by the work done at West Coast and was eager to get more involved. That opportunity came in the form of the Summer Outreach Coordinator position.

What kinds of conversations are you having with folks who stop by the table?

Our five programs being promoted are Sue Big Oil, Marine, RELAW, Biodiversity and Access to Justice.

An event in Richmond promoting Sue Big Oil will have conversations centred around the cost of the city’s dike and flood protection policies. Another event featuring the Marine program might have a set of trivia questions about Marine Protected Areas as conversation starters.

So depending on the program being showcased, conversations can vary widely. We often encourage folks to sign up for our Legal E-brief newsletter to stay connected and informed.

Why do you think having a presence in these public spaces is important?

For those unfamiliar with our work, community outreach is one of the best ways to share what we do with an audience who may not otherwise find us. For others who may have been hesitant to seek us out, seeing us at events can offer a welcoming and accessible way to connect. This also broadens our community connection. 

Where can we find you this summer?

I will be attending various events throughout Metro Vancouver. While our summer outreach calendar is still being finalized, here is where you can find us so far:

• Vancouver Folk Music Festival
  July 18 to 20 at Jericho Beach Park
• Clayton Community Market
  July 27 in Surrey
• Vancouver Dyke March
  August 2 at Grandview Park
• Pleasant Day Festival
  August 9 along Main St. and in Mt. Pleasant
• Richmond Garlic Festival
  August 16 at the Sharing Farm Richmond
• Main Street Car Free Day
  September 6 in Vancouver

Interested in volunteering at West Coast? Sign up to join our Street Legal Team. Thank you for supporting our work!

West Coast Environmental Law Program Spotlight Series:

• Strong Canadian Environmental Laws with Anna Johnston
• Liveable Sustainable Communities with Deborah Carlson
• Sue Big Oil with Andrew Gage
• Revitalizing Indigenous Law for Land, Air and Water (RELAW) with Katłıà Lafferty and Rayanna Seymour-Hourie
• Community Outreach with Tra Mi Do Le
• Marine Protection with Georgia Lloyd-Smith