Nature Stewards

By peter | January 3, 2023

Accepting Applications

Nature Stewards

These free multi-week programs will support you to develop skills to care for nature in your community, including growing native plants, restoring wildlife habitat, and working with plant medicines.

Apply Now

Two young women are wearing masks and standing outside. They are wearing gardening gloves and holding a gardening tool.

Program Themes

Native Plant Nursery

In this program, you’ll learn about different native plants and how they support local wildlife. You’ll work in EYA’s plant nursery and greenhouse and learn to identify native plants, propagate and transplant plants, mix potting soils, and save and process seeds. You’ll also visit Still Creek in Renfrew Ravine to see how native plants are used in ecological restoration and land stewardship, and connect with Indigenous Knowledge Keepers.

Rewilding

In this program, you’ll learn about ecological restoration and work with other youth to restore habitat for wildlife, including birds and salmon, along Still Creek in Renfrew Ravine and in our Wetland project in Strathcona Park. You’ll learn about Indigenous land stewardship from Elders and Knowledge Keepers and gain skills like how to remove invasive species, plant native species, and identify plants and wildlife.

Plants & People

Nature Stewards Leadership

This program is for youth who have previously participated in an EYA program. You’ll join a group of other EYA alumni to develop skills to step into a leadership role and take action on environmental issues in your community. Topics will include civic engagement, climate action, understanding leadership roles, styles, and characteristics, and explore your leadership style and strengths. You'll also continue to grow your ecological restoration skills and deepen your knowledge of native plants through land-based activities.

Earth Allies

In this program, you’ll learn about the ecosystems around you and how to be an ally of the earth! You’ll gain knowledge of native plants and wildlife and their roles in our ecosystems, as well as learn Indigenous plant knowledge and land stewardship skills from Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. You’ll work with other youth to restore habitats for wildlife around East Vancouver and gain skills like how to remove invasive species and plant native plants.

Four wooden frames are filled with flowers and plant life.

Program Details

Location
Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin St) and Renfrew Ravine (3998 Renfrew St)
Spring Program Dates
All programs run from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM
Native Plant Nursery I | Sundays | Feb 23 - May 4 | 10 Sessions
Native Plant Nursery II | Saturdays | Feb 22 - May 3 | 10 Sessions
Rewilding for Bird & Wildlife | Saturdays | Feb 22 - May 3 | 10 Sessions
Earth Allies | Sundays | Feb 16 - Jun 1 | + Spring Break Camp | Tuesday - Thursday | Mar 18 - 27 | 20 Sessions
Eligibility
Youth ages 14-18 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, or from other equity-denied communities.
Supports
You will receive up to $20/day honorarium based on attendance and youth must attend a minimum of 4 program days to receive an honorarium. Lunch and bus tickets are provided. We also have some outdoor clothing available to borrow, including rain jackets and boots.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a typical day like in this program?

Program days will run from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm with a break in the middle when lunch is provided. Each program day will start with a welcome circle and end with a closing circle. The program day is usually divided into two main activities with small activities in between. Half of the day we will be doing learning activities that include a mix of games, activities, and lessons led by EYA educators or program guests including Indigenous Elders and Knowledge Keepers. The other half will be hands-on activities that are focused on growing native plants, restoring wildlife habitat, harvesting, and processing plant medicines.

How many participants are in each program?

Who are the program leaders?

Can I apply for more than one program?

Why does EYA pay an honorarium to participants? When will I receive it?

We pay an honorarium to support you to participate in this educational program instead of needing to find a job. We also pay an honorarium to recognize the important contribution you’re making to caring for nature in the community, for example growing native plants and restoring wildlife habitat. You will receive the honorarium by e-transfer after the last program day, usually within two weeks.

Where is the program going to be?

All programs are based at Strathcona Community Gardens in East Vancouver. This is a 1.4 hectare community-run greenspace in East Vancouver with a native plant teaching garden, greenhouse and native plant nursery, plant medicine gardens, rewilding areas, and solar-powered eco-classroom.

Many programs also include field trips to Renfrew Ravine, a forested ravine in southeast Vancouver with a section of Still Creek running through it, a plant dye garden, and rewilding areas.

What are your communicable disease protocols?

We use the following communicable disease protocols to keep our staff and participants safe:

Face masks are optional. EYA provides disposable masks for staff or participants who choose to wear them.
If a participant is sick, they should notify an EYA program staff right away. EYA staff may direct the participant to wear a mask / maintain distance from other participants, or ask them to go home.
Hands must be washed or sanitized:
- When entering and leaving the garden
- After coughing or sneezing
- Before and after eating

Program In Action

Four young women are standing outside around a table. They are handling and preparing seedlings to plant.

Youth participants learn to grow and care for native plants in EYA’s nursery.

A group of youth are standing and kneeling outside in a green field surrounded by trees. They are making gestures with their hands and are happily posing.

A group of Nature Stewards youth in Strathcona Community Gardens.

A group of youth are standing around a table outside working on a project together.

Youth participants learn to make salves and teas from medicinal plants.

Youth participants help to restore wildlife habitat at Renfrew Ravine.

A smiling young man is wearing a mask and gardening gloves. He is holding a root in his hands.

Youth participants help to remove invasive plants like Himalayan blackberry.

“I am able to recognize more plants and birds, which makes me feel more connected with nature. Being able to understand nature more makes me more likely to take care of and consider the environment around me.”

— Participant

karmella is wearing a puffy yellow jacket, white scarf, glasses and a brown toque over their brown curly hair. They are standing in front of some bamboo.

Have Questions? Let’s Connect

karmella benedito de barros

Land Based Education Program Manager
(They/Them)

karmella is a two-spirit mixed Afro-Brazilian and Mistawasis Nehiyawak (Treaty 6 Cree). They hold a BA in Psychology, Counseling & Human Development from Simon Fraser University and leads the Nature Stewards program.

karmella@eya.ca

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