The event brought together a shared celebration of leadership, volunteerism, and collaboration in protecting nature. The Chair of the Board, Sonia Theroux, called the meeting to order. The Executive Director, Emily McMillan updated the members in attendance in person and shared key successes of the past year, achieved together because of our members’ trust and kind support. You can read more about this in our Member update. Sonia presented on the Treasurer’s behalf and spoke about the good financial health of the organization and the members passed the audited financial statements and named the auditing firm for next year’s financial review. Members also voted on the slate of people nominated or standing for another term to the Nature Canada’s Board of Directors. The recording of the Annual General Meeting will be updated to the website later this week.

To start the weekend, Nature Canada was honoured to present the inaugural Albert & Murdena Marshall Award for Reconciliation to Mi’kmaw Elder Dr. Albert Marshall and in memory of his late wife, Elder Dr. Murdena Marshall at a special reception in Ottawa . The award recognizes their extraordinary, lifelong leadership in healing relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, advancing land-based stewardship, and fostering reciprocal relationships with the Earth. The award was created by Nature Canada to celebrate individuals, youth, educators, researchers, grassroots groups, and organizations working at the intersection of environmental conservation and reconciliation. Grounded in respect, justice, and ecological integrity, the award honours initiatives that elevate Indigenous leadership and support collaborative, land-based healing.

During the AGM, we also honoured worthy recipients of three national awards honouring exceptional contributions to conservation and environmental action.

This year, the Charles Labatiuk Youth for Nature Award was presented to two recipients.

The first 2026 Charles Labatiuk Youth for Nature Award was presented to Jade Lai. Through her passion for conservation and environmental education, Jade has transformed her own learning into meaningful volunteer action, inspiring children to become the next generation of environmental stewards. Her original children’s storybook, Mr. Mountain Meets Ms. Ocean, brings the connection between ecosystems and the impacts of ocean pollution to life, reaching young readers through libraries, schools, and free storytelling workshops. Having personally engaged more than 100 children through her workshops, Jade has continued to expand her impact by creating free educational resources for families and educators, while also volunteering as a writer for Starfish Canada. Her creativity, generosity, and dedication to making environmental education accessible are helping young people discover their own role in protecting the natural world.

The second Charles Labatiuk Youth for Nature Award was presented to Abigail Lorz. Through her dedication to conservation, research, and community service, Abigail is helping build a more sustainable and inclusive future. As a volunteer with the University of Victoria’s Community-Based Research Laboratory, she supports youth in Canada and Brazil through the Zero Waste Ambassador Program, inspiring young people to take an active role in environmental stewardship. Her work with UNICATA further reflects her commitment to recognizing and supporting waste pickers in Brazil and the important role they play in protecting the environment. From contributing scientific research and advocating for stronger environmental protections to securing greater accessibility to outdoor recreation, Abigail brings compassion, curiosity, and a strong sense of service to everything she does.

The Jodi Joy Volunteer for Nature Award was presented to two extraordinary volunteers, Penny Nelson and Sharolyn Mathieu Vettesse.

Penny Nelson’s passionate leadership has made Lions Bay, BC, a shining example of community-led bird conservation. As the founder of Bird Friendly Lions Bay, the first small community to achieve Bird Friendly Certification, Penny has inspired residents and local leaders to protect wild birds, restore habitat, and embrace biodiversity. Through her tireless volunteer work and support for other communities across BC, Penny continues to make a lasting difference for nature.

Through her generous leadership with Women for Nature’s Mentorship Program, Sharolyn Mathieu Vettese has helped inspire and empower the next generation of women leaders in conservation. As both a mentor and committee lead, she shares her experience, builds meaningful connections, and opens doors for others to grow in confidence and make a difference for nature. Her genuine commitment to supporting others has strengthened the Women for Nature community and created a lasting ripple effect of encouragement and leadership.

The Partner in Conservation Award was presented to Black Environmental Initiative. Through its inspiring work to advance environmental justice, the Black Environmental Initiative (BEI) is helping create healthier, greener communities for low-income and racialized families. From protecting urban green spaces through campaigns like Bring the Forest Home, Healing the Land, and Blacks Build Green, to partnering with Work to Grow to create meaningful conservation employment opportunities for young Black Canadians, BEI is making a lasting difference for both people and nature. We are grateful for BEI’s partnership and its commitment to building a more equitable and sustainable future.

“These remarkable award recipients show us the power of leadership, dedication, and passion for nature,” said Emily McMillan, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “From inspiring youth to volunteering tirelessly and building strong community partnerships, they remind us that individuals and groups across Canada can make a real difference for the natural world.”

Thank you to everyone who provided their voting proxy or attended and voted at this year’s AGM. The recording of this year’s meeting will be uploaded to our website in the coming days for those members who were not able to attend in person or join the Zoom call.