(Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa, August 11, 2022)—Nature Canada’s Women for Nature initiative is proud to announce Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M. of Toronto, Ontario, as one of the recipients of our 2022 Young Nature Leaders Grant. This grant encourages, fosters and nurtures youth to demonstrate their leadership in nature.

Kehkashan Basu, M.S.M. is developing educational workshops and public awareness campaigns on the endangered Wood Turtle. She will engage students and the public in the Toronto, Ottawa and Peel region on threats to the Wood Turtle and the conservation strategies that can be taken to protect them.

“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 Senator Rosa Galvez. “Through their actions and advocacy, young Canadians across the country are paving the way to a cleaner and brighter tomorrow,” declares Galvez.

Kehkashan is a Young Women for Nature alongside:

• Ana Castillo of Grenville-Sur-La-Rouge, Quebec;
• Rachel Irwin of Hamilton, Ontario;
• Nena Van de Wouwer of Bouctouche, New Brunswick; and

Margaret Atwood and Graeme Gibson Young Nature Leaders:

• Denise Miller of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory;
• Kenzie McCallum of Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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. The 2022 winners join an impressive list of twenty previous recipients with unique and complementary ideas.

 Related Links:

Recipients of the 2022 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

[email protected]

For information on the Women for Nature Young Nature Leaders grant please contact:

Jodi Joy, Director of Development, Nature Canada
613-295-6769 | 1-800-267-4088
[email protected]

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 1000 nature organizations across the country. Over the past 80 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 as well as connecting 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. Composed of women from diverse sectors and backgrounds, the Women for Nature initiative champions the importance of nature in the daily lives of all Canadians and encourages more Canadians to connect with nature.  Our founding members include Senator Rosa Galvez, Madame Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, and Margaret Atwood to name a few. 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.