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.
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.
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!
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.
