Young Nature Leaders
Their motivation to connect, commitment to protect and passion to celebrate nature has been an inspiration to Nature Canada and the communities they engage.
In 2025, we are celebrating the grant’s eighth year running thanks to the passion and generosity of Women for Nature members and our generous sponsors. The Young Nature Leader’s grant was created to empower, uplift and support young people looking to implement a community-based project centered around nature and sustainability. This Earth Month, we are celebrating eight recipients of the Young Nature Leaders grant.
We would like to give a special thanks to this year’s Selection Committee which included an amazing group of Young Leaders. Thank you Haley De Turse, Luke Nguyen, Nena Van de Wouwer, Lauren Lawson, Jessic Lewis, Chevaun Toulouse, Briana Barrett, Rachel Irwin and Shazerah Qureshi.
Congratulations to this years recipients who include: (listed alphabetically by last name)
Jasmine Skinner: is coordinating Restoring Ecological Knowledge workshops which teaches participants to identify native and invasive plants in the Carolinian EcoZone and promotes biodiversity through hands-on ecosystem restoration skills.
“Restoring ecological knowledge is essential to restoring a connection to the land. By providing free, accessible outdoor education, this project would teach participants about the local native & invasive plants around them, understanding their relationships and impacts on the ecosystem. As well, participants will immediately connect this knowledge to the land with a guided walk around a provincially significant wetland right in the centre of London, ON.”
Wendy Ihama: is championing The Nature-Based Leadership Program, which is a summer initiative that empowers underrepresented youth through outdoor adventures and leadership training focused on sustainability and community advocacy.
“Through mindfulness and environmental connection, my project seeks to foster a deeper understanding of nature’s importance and inspire others to engage in its protection. Together, we can cultivate a sustainable future for both people and the planet.”
Megan Castelino: will lead Bridging Generations in Nature, a Montreal-based initiative that connects racialized youth and elders through nature activities, promoting cultural exchange, wellness, and environmental stewardship.
“As a gerontology student, I am passionate about intergenerational learning and believe that outdoor spaces provide a powerful setting for shared knowledge and mutual enrichment between generations. This opportunity will allow me to apply my knowledge by organizing intergenerational nature workshops connecting elders with the younger generation by sharing their traditional ecological wisdom and life histories, particularly in language-minority communities.”
Aidan Williams Dale: will bridge children and the public in reptile and amphibian conservation through curriculum-based workshops, hands-on learning, and citizen science in Brampton.
“My goal for this grant is to promote citizen science with students and the general public. Through a multifaceted workshop bringing awareness to the conservation of native ecology, we will focus on the nesting season of Ontario’s native turtles who are migrating through vulnerable areas and experiencing higher rates of road mortality to lay their eggs.”
Kaite Martin: will connect youth and seniors as citizen scientists through the intergenerational engagement initiative to monitor lake health, fostering environmental stewardship and inclusivity through hands-on data collection and mentorship.
“The National Lake Blitz empowers both youth and seniors to become active stewards of the environment. Through education, mentorship, and hands-on participation, this citizen science program is building a network of passionate volunteers and fostering intergenerational collaboration in support of a healthier future for lakes and communities.”
Senaqwila Wyss: will lead Sovereign Seedlings, a cultural and ecological program that teaches Indigenous youth traditional plant knowledge through intergenerational learning and sustainable practices.
“My project, Sovereign Seedlings focuses on revitalizing Indigenous plant knowledge and fostering intergenerational learning within the Squamish Nation.This funding will make a meaningful difference in our ability to engage youth, share teachings from Elders, and strengthen connections between our community and the land. I am deeply honoured to be part of a network of young leaders working to celebrate and protect the natural world.”
Shamily Shanmuganathan: will inspire Canadians through Corals and Bees, an interactive nature art exhibition that celebrates biodiversity and inspires environmental stewardship through creative, community-driven workshops and installations in Brampton and Mississauga.
“This project is about bringing people together through art to reflect on our relationship with the environment. I want to create a space where nature, creativity, and community meet—where people not only learn about sustainability but feel inspired to be part of it.”
Mehvish Khanam: will engage post-secondary students in building wildlife shelters through workshops in Scarborough to support local biodiversity and foster hands-on conservation and environmental stewardship.
“My fondest memories are of hearing frogs croak at night and watching birds fly early in the morning. Over time, seeing the decline of local species in our community has become a personal call to action, and I am compelled to help create shelters and rehabilitation habitats that provide safe spaces for the creatures that have always been a part of our lives.”
Through Nature Canada’s Young Nature Leaders Grant, youth are motivating and empowering communities across Canada to be leaders for nature. To get inspired and read about past winners, explore earlier projects here.
A BIG THANK YOU TO:
