Nature Canada and its Women for Nature program has announced the latest recipients of its Young Nature Leaders Grant. Each $1,000 grant is intended to encourage, foster and nurture young people to demonstrate their own leadership for nature.
“It brings me great hope and happiness to see these young people taking leadership in their local communities to help and heal nature,” says the Honourable Rosa Galvez, Honorary Chair of Nature Canada’s Women for Nature program. “Through their actions and advocacy, young Canadians across the country are creating a cleaner and brighter tomorrow.”
Celebrating this exciting effort to empower youth and nature lovers alike, Nature Canada awarded seven grants of $1000 each. The purpose of the program is to empower young people to take action for nature by putting them at the heart of it.
This year’s recipients include:
JD Bharvad from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. JD has launched Unama’ki Young Birders, an initiative that brings young adults together through guided bird walks, bird identification, and citizen science. The program encourages participants to build conservation skills while contributing observation through eBird and iNaturalist.Cary Choo from Edmonton, Alberta. Cary led Positivitree Environmental Society’s Eco-Club initiative, where youth explored climate science, art, and civic engagement while creating a Tree of Hope. The interactive installation is now on exhibit at the Art Gallery of Alberta, where visitors are invited to add their own leaves and contribute to a growing conversation about climate change, resilience, and hope.Oluwaseun Makanjuola from Vancouver, British Columbia.Oluwaseun is leading a youth-driven ecological restoration initiative that engages participants in invasive species removal, native planting, and soil restoration in degraded urban green spaces. The project combines hands-on stewardship with environmental leadership.Mirha Tul Hai from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Mirha is creating Nature Play for Little Explorers, a free outdoor program introducing children ages 3-8 to nature through scavenger hunts, planting activities, storytelling, nature-based art, and community clean-ups. The initiative encourages children and their families to build lasting connections with their local green spaces.Noah Rolbinf rom Algonquin Park, Ontario. Noah organized a series of guided nighttime Mothathon events that introduce youth and community members to the fascinating diversity of native moths. Participants observe and document nocturnal insects while contributing to citizen science and developing a greater appreciation for Ontario’s nighttime wildlife.
Environment Journal Editor Connie Vitello is a proud member of the Women for Nature initiative.
Nature Canada was founded in 1939 because of the passion and initiative of Mabel Frances Whittemore, a teacher and nature lover whose main goal in life was to share her passion for nature with others. Today, Nature Canada represents a network of over 175,000 members and supporters and more than 1200 nature organizations across the country. Over the past 85 years, Nature Canada has helped protect more than 144 million acres of parks and wildlife areas in Canada and countless species that depend on this habitat and connected hundreds of thousands of Canadian with nature through its activities.
For further information, visit Nature Canada or Women For Nature
Featured photo credit: Getty Images
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