Empowering Youth to Care for Nature
Land-based education and employment training programs for youth from equity-deserving 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-deserving 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
Roots & Shoots
Accepting Applications
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
Now Accepting Applications
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 Open June 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.
Youth remove invasive plants and steward the land.

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.

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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Join us as a supporter.
