(Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, August 8, 2023) — Nature Canada’s Women for Nature are proud to celebrate Jessica Lewis of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, as a recipient of our 2023 Young Nature Leaders Grant. This grant encourages, fosters and nurtures youth to demonstrate their leadership in nature.

Jessica will develop a guided insect identification course for young girls/youth in urban areas of Nova Scotia.

“It took me a while to get to a space where I am comfortable in my interests in entomology, botany and ecology. Through my project, I aspire to create a world where kids who are like me can experience the happiness of flipping over rocks, catching bugs and counting ants without being judged,” says Jessica Lewis.

Jessica is a Young Nature Leader alongside these other amazing local youth leaders:

• Brianna Barrett of St. John’s, Newfoundland;
• Élise Laferrière of Hudson, Quebec;
• Kassidy Matheson of Murray Harbour, Prince Edward Island; and
• Derek Nguyen of Ajax, Ontario

“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,” declares Galvez.

The Young Nature Leaders Grant began in 2017 to empower youth to develop and implement a youth-led, community-based project centered around nature and sustainability in Canada. This year’s recipients join an impressive list of previous recipients with unique and complementary ideas.

Related Links:

Recipients of the 2023 Young Nature Leaders Grant
Overview of the Young Nature Leaders Grant Recipients

For media assistance please contact:

Scott Mullenix, Director of Communications
613-462-4024
media@naturecanada.ca

For information on the Young Nature Leaders grant please contact:

Jodi Joy, Director of Development, Nature Canada
613-295-6769 | 1-800-267-4088
jjoy@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.