Empowering Youth to Care for Nature
Land-based education and employment training programs for youth from equity-denied communities.
Our Mission
Environmental Youth Alliance (EYA) is a non-profit based in East Vancouver on the unceded, shared territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. We empower 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.
Explore Our Programs
Cultivate
Applications on Hold
Free employment skills workshop series for youth ages 16-25 who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, or living with a disability.
Roots & Shoots
Applications on Hold
Paid land-based job training and internship program for youth ages 18-25 who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Colour, or living with a disability.
Nature Stewards
Now Accepting Applications
Free land-based education programs for youth ages 14-18 from equity seeking communities.
Peer Mentors
Applications closed for Fall
Volunteer program for youth ages 18-25 from equity-deserving communities who are interested in developing skills in land-based education and youth work.
Youth Habitat Crew
Applications Closed for 2023
Paid summer jobs for youth ages 15-25 from equity seeking communities who are interested in developing land-based job skills.
School Field Trips
Now Accepting Requests
90-120 minutes of land-based learning for public school classes at EYA’s programming sites in Strathcona Community Gardens or Renfrew Ravine.
News & Stories
Join our newsletter to receive updates on our programs, invites to community workshops, and opportunities to support our work and receive youth-grown native plants.
We're hiring an Operations Manager!
Do you feel excited about building systems, nurturing a positive and successful workplace culture, and leading non-profit operations? Are you passionate about supporting the EYA team in achieving our mission to empower environmental stewards on Vancouver’s eastside? We’re looking for someone who is driven, thoughtful, organized, and leads with integrity. In this role, you’ll work closely with the Co-Executive Directors and lead EYA’s operations work. We’re seeking a detail-oriented and highly organized operations manager, who brings an anti-oppressive and innovative lens to their work.
Our 2023 Annual Report is here!
Take a peak at our work & impact last year with our latest Annual Report!
You're invited to our 2024 Annual General Meeting!
Join us in the gardens for an evening of food and conversations! You’ll meet EYA staff and board members, learn about our programs, and help us elect Board Directors.
Reflections from EYA Youth: Vaibhavi and Arianne
As our Spring programs wrapped up, Nature Stewards youth participants Vaibhavi and Arianne joined us in the Strathcona Community Gardens greenhouse to share reflections on their program experience. Read about their program highlights, advice for other youth, and plans for the future!
We’re hiring a Manager, Sites & Stewardship!
Are you inspired by engaging equity-denied youth in land-based stewardship and urban rewilding? Do you have experience with project management in ecological restoration, native plant horticulture, or Indigenous plant knowledge? Do you feel excited about leading EYA’s team and youth in connecting with and tending to land on Vancouver’s eastside?
We're hiring a Manager, Fundraising & Communications!
Are you a skilled fundraiser inspired by land-based education and equitable access to nature? Do you want to play a role in the continued growth of our organization and youth programs?
Join our Board of Directors!
Are you inspired by land-based education for equity-denied youth? Are you ready to step into a leadership role? Do you want to support local youth to lead the transition to a more just and sustainable future? We’re looking for a community member with experience and expertise in law to join our board of directors!
Cultivating Climate Resilience
In the bustling urban landscape, amidst concrete and steel, nature’s resilience shines through in the form of native plants like the Nootka Rose (Rosa nutkana). As we enter a new youth programming season, we are excited to feature this native plant that embodies the spirit of resilience and sustainability!
We're hiring a Program Manager, Land-based Education!
Are you inspired by land-based education for equity-deserving youth? Are you a confident youth facilitator? Do you have experience managing teams and/or projects? We’re looking for someone to lead our land-based education team in delivering our youth education and stewardship programs.
EYA's Relationship with the Vancouver Park Board
Learn how EYA works with the Vancouver Park Board and how we could be affected by changes.
A Guide To Our Youth-Grown Native Plant Seeds
Got your hands on some native plant seeds and not sure what to do? Don't worry! We'll tell you all about their growing needs, and much more!
Watch and Learn with Youth Habitat Crew!
Watch this play list of short education videos on medicinal plants, honourable harvest, and weaving with invasive species!
Read our 2022 Annual Impact Report!
We’re still glowing from all the warm fuzzies at our AGM last night, where we officially released our latest Annual Report!
You're invited to our Annual General Meeting!
For the first time since 2019, our AGM will be held in person at Strathcona Community Gardens! We’d love for you to join us on Wednesday, July 26th at 6pm.
Hear it from our youth!
In this video, four participants talk about their strengthened relationship with nature, the skills they learned, and what they enjoyed the most about the program.
Introducing our new Co-Executive Directors!
As we say a heartfelt farewell to our Executive Director of almost seven years, Emily Keller, we’re excited to introduce EYA’s new Co-Executive Directors - Erica Ellis & Carmen Wong!
Watch online: Native Plant Garden Design
Guided by botanist Kristen Miskelly of Satinflower Nurseries, this workshop will share key considerations on caring for native plants and discuss how plants can support biodiversity across a variety of urban habitats.
Introducing our new brand and website!
Our colourful new brand reflects EYA’s youthful identity and honours the land we steward.
And the winner is…EYA!
Charity Village awards EYA Best Youth Engagement Organization (under 20 staff) for 2022.
Support our Winter Fundraiser!
Help us open the doors for equity-deserving youth pursuing land-based livelihoods.
Rewilding Still Creek
This spring and summer, 169 dedicated youth have been contributing to the ongoing restoration of native habitat along Still Creek – a three year project in partnership with Still Moon Arts Society.
Meet our Youth Habitat Crew
Meet EYA's Youth Habitat Crew: five inspiring youth who joined our team this summer for a three-month paid internship.
Community-led Urban Wetland Project
The project, in partnership with Strathcona Community Gardens, will increase climate resilience in the Downtown Eastside by creating a wetland ecosystem that will reduce flood risks, and increase biodiversity and Indigenous foodscapes.
Plant Relative: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow has a long history of being used medicinally around the world, including by many First Nations and the ancient Greeks. This plant relative is one of our favourites to grow in our youth programs.
Plant Relative: Nodding Onion (Allium cernuum)
Nodding Onion is an edible native plant with a similar taste to onion and chives. This plant relative can be found in many of our garden beds and meadows.
Woodland Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Strawberries aren't just delicious, the whole plant has many medicinal uses, too!
Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis)
We love to snack on salmonberry in our programs, but always remember to leave plenty for the birds and other wildlife that rely on this foodsource.
Big Leaf Lupine (Lupinus polyphyllus)
Lupine is often grown in our youth programs. They’re easy to grow from seed and germinating lupine seeds is an excellent learning experience.
2021 Year in Review and Annual Report
We reflect back on the year and invite you to read our Annual Impact Report!
Help Youth Care for the Environment
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