(Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, August 12th, 2025) — Nature Canada’s Women for Nature program is proud to announce the latest recipients of our 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:

• Jasmin Skinner from London, ON. Jasmin will host a Restoring Ecological Knowledge workshop to offer an introduction into invasive species identification and management with a focus on individual action and reconnecting with local ecosystems.
• Wendy Lhama from St. John’s, NL. Wendy is working on a Nature-Based Leadership Program in Atlantic Canada that combines outdoor adventure with leadership training in sustainability and community advocacy. The month-long initiative is designed to empower young people, particularly those from underrepresented and marginalized communities.
• Megan Castelino from Thorold, ON. Megan is leading Bridging Generations in Nature, a Montreal-based program that connects BIPOC women and gender-diverse participants through outdoor activities focused on wellness, cultural exchange, and environmental justice.
• Aidan Williams Dale from Brampton, ON. Aidan is connecting children and the public with reptile and amphibian conservation through curriculum-based workshops. Combining hands-on learning and citizen science, the initiative will focus on Ontario’s turtle nesting season, a critical time when native species face high road mortality while migrating to lay their eggs.
• Kaite Martin from Kimberley, BC. Kaite is leading the National Lake Blitz, a citizen-science program engaging volunteers across Canada in monitoring freshwater lakes. Participants of all ages collect data on water temperature, clarity, and shoreline health, while also building connections through mentorship and environmental education.
• Mehvish Khanam from Scarborough, ON. Mehvish is launching workshops designed to engage post-secondary students in building wildlife shelters. These shelters will help support biodiversity while providing hands-on opportunities to develop conservation skills and promote environmental stewardship within the community.
• Senaqwila Wyss from the Squamish Nation. Senaquwila is leading a cultural and ecological workshop called Sovereign Seedlings that aims to teach Indigenous youth about traditional plant knowledge through intergenerational learning and sustainable practices.

A big thank you to our previous Young Nature Leaders who volunteered on this year’s Selection Committee.

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For media assistance please contact:

Scott Mullenix, Director of Communications, Nature Canada

613-462-4024

media@naturecanada.ca

For information on the Young Nature Leaders grant please contact:

Effie Vaicoussis, Manager of Women for Nature & Donor Engagement, Nature Canada
613-295-6769 | 1-800-267-4088
evaicoussis@naturecanada.ca

About Nature Canada

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 110 million acres of parks and wildlife areas in Canada and countless species that depend on this habitat and connected hundreds of thousands of Canadians – especially children – with nature through its activities.

About Women For Nature

Nature Canada‘s signature “Women for Nature” initiative raises awareness about the need to connect more Canadians of all ages to nature. Our members champion efforts to inspire youth and families to spend time in nature, to learn and experience our natural heritage and in doing so, ensure the health and well-being of our Canadian society.