Empowering Youth to Care for Nature

Are you inspired by land-based education for equity-deserving youth? Are you a confident youth facilitator? Do you have experience with land stewardship and/or horticulture? We’re looking for someone to lead environmental education and environmental job skill training programs for equity-deserving youth in East Vancouver.

In the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest, Sword Fern (Polystichum munitum) has thrived for thousands of years growing in the shade beneath the evergreens. As we approach the deadline for our native plant fundraiser orders, we're excited to highlight Sword Fern and its deep-rooted history and enduring presence in our local ecosystem.

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?

Are you inspired by land-based education for equity-deserving youth? Are you a confident youth facilitator? Do you have experience with land stewardship and/or horticulture? We’re looking for someone to lead environmental education and environmental job skill training programs for equity-deserving youth in East Vancouver.

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.

Take a peak at our work & impact last year with our latest Annual Report!

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.

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!

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?

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?

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!

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!

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.

Learn how EYA works with the Vancouver Park Board and how we could be affected by changes.

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 this play list of short education videos on medicinal plants, honourable harvest, and weaving with invasive species!

We’re still glowing from all the warm fuzzies at our AGM last night, where we officially released our latest Annual Report!

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.

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.

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!

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.

Our colourful new brand reflects EYA’s youthful identity and honours the land we steward.

Charity Village awards EYA Best Youth Engagement Organization (under 20 staff) for 2022.

Help us open the doors for equity-deserving youth pursuing land-based livelihoods.

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 EYA's Youth Habitat Crew: five inspiring youth who joined our team this summer for a three-month paid internship.

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.

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.

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.

Strawberries aren't just delicious, the whole plant has many medicinal uses, too!

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.

Lupine is often grown in our youth programs. They’re easy to grow from seed and germinating lupine seeds is an excellent learning experience.

We reflect back on the year and invite you to read our Annual Impact Report!