EYA empowers youth from equity-denied communities to become environmental stewards through land-based education and employment training programs that centre on native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, plant medicine, and community leadership.
 

EYA offers free land-based education and paid employment training programs for youth from equity-denied communities focused on native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, plant medicine, and community leadership. Our programs are designed to support you to develop the skills and confidence to take action to care for the environment. They are led by youth educators who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour and integrate Indigenous teachings through visits from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. We run programs in two locations in East Vancouver - Strathcona Community Gardens and along Still Creek in Renfrew Ravine. Our programs are safe and inclusive spaces where you can connect with nature, explore your interests, and grow new skills to steward the land and pursue jobs related to environmental justice.
-Wild Minds - a school program introducing elementary students to ecology concepts
-Nature Stewards - a multi-week program engaging youth to lead conservation projects
-Peer Mentors - older youth alumni help lead programs to gain facilitation experience
-Roots and Shoots - paid land-based employment training programs and work placements
-Cultivate - free employment skills workshop series
-Youth Advisory Council - youth provide input and help design EYA programs