Recipients of the 2026 Young Nature Leaders Grant!
Since 2017, Nature Canada’s Young Nature Leaders Grant has been empowering young Canadians to lead community-based projects rooted in nature and sustainability. Now in its ninth year, the grant is made possible by the generosity of Women for Nature members and our sponsors.
We would like to give a special thanks to this year’s Selection Committee which included an incredible group of Young Leaders. Thank you to Kehkashan Basu, Brianna Barrett, Luke Nguyen, Derek Nguyen, Chevaun Toulouse, and Lauren Lawson for your time and energy.
Congratulations to this years recipients who include:
Oluwaseun Makanjuola — Restoring Roots (Vancouver, BC)
A youth-led ecological restoration initiative engaging young people in invasive species removal, native planting, and soil health improvement in degraded urban green spaces. Participants take part in workshops, leadership training, and document the site’s transformation through blogs, videos, and before-and-after photography.
“Urban green spaces have so much potential to become living classrooms. This project is about more than restoration — it is about showing young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, that they belong in conservation spaces and that their neighbourhoods are worth fighting for.”
Cary Choo — Positivitree Environmental Society Initiative: Climate Art Exhibition
(Edmonton, AB)
A school- and community-based program combining science education, art, and Indigenous land-based learning to help youth understand and alleviate climate anxiety. Participants co-create a Climate Zine and an interactive Climate Anxiety Tree art exhibit for display at the Art Gallery of Alberta to engage directly with policymakers and the public to inspire climate action.
“I have witnessed the power of creative approaches in inspiring youth to care for the environment and their wellbeing. Art is a great outlet for children and youth to process their emotions and feel empowered to participate in climate action. Through this project, young minds will gain climate knowledge and optimism to inspire positive environmental impacts in their local communities.”
Noah Rolbin — Mothathon
(Algonquin Park, ON)
A series of guided nighttime field events inviting youth and community members to observe and document moths in low light-pollution areas including Algonquin Park. Led by mentors with entomology expertise, participants contribute to citizen science while building a genuine appreciation for the often-overlooked diversity of insect life around them.
“This project is meant to help introduce folks, young and old, to the wonderful nighttime world of native Ontario Moths — highlighting the depth and diversity of insect life living in one’s own backyard, and helping people move past discomfort towards fascination.”
JD Bharvad — Unama’ki Young Birders
(Cape Breton, NS)
A youth-led program offering inclusive birding outings, biodiversity monitoring, and citizen science contributions through eBird and iNaturalist. Participants develop field skills, ecological knowledge, and conservation leadership while building community connection in an accessible, beginner-friendly environment.
“Birding has a way of opening your eyes to a whole new world you never noticed before. This program is about making that experience accessible to young people in Cape Breton, building skills and confidence while showing that anyone can be a conservation leader, regardless of their background or experience.”
Mirha Tul Hai — Nature Play for Little Explorers
(Saskatoon, SK)
A play-based outdoor learning initiative for children ages 3–8, bringing nature education to life through scavenger hunts, planting, storytelling, and community clean-ups. The program fosters early nature connection and invites families into meaningful engagement with their local green spaces.
“The earliest years are when a love of nature takes root. By bringing children outside to play, explore, and discover, we are planting seeds of curiosity and care that will grow with them for life. Every scavenger hunt, every seedling planted, is the beginning of a lifelong relationship with nature.”
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, check out these earlier projects here.
This initiative would not be possible without the support of our sponsors.
A WARM THANK YOU TO:
