The program starts with 10 weeks of paid land-based job training led by EYA staff. The training is 5 days per week and 6 hours per day from 10am - 4pm, and is hands-on and mostly outside. You’ll gain job skills in native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, and plant medicine, as well as employability skills like work planning, project management, and digital skills. The training is followed by a 12-week environmental work placement at an organization of your choice that is aligned with your values and interests.

Each program engages a small cohort of 5-6 youth. All participants are youth who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and/or living with a disability. Through the application process, we do our best to select a group of youth who will be compatible with each other and create a safe space for all participants.

In this program, you’ll gain land-based job skills including horticulture, ecological restoration, Indigenous plant medicine and land stewardship, and land-based education. You’ll also improve employability skills like work planning, verbal and written communication, organization, project management, teamwork, problem solving, and self-management. The program also covers digital skills like email, calendar, Zoom, Google documents, and job search skills and strategies.

Roots & Shoots applies a decolonial and anti-oppressive lens to employment training. This means we look critically at ideas like “professionalism” that reinforce white colonial norms. We also discuss equity and discrimination in the workplace, and support you to advocate for yourself and find employers aligned with your personal values. We value the wisdom and lived experience of each participant and encourage learning from each other through the program. We also support work placement partners to create anti-oppressive work environments for program participants, including training on trauma informed practice.

Roots & Shoots is led by three EYA staff, all of whom identify as Indigenous, Black, and/or People of Colour. All coordinators have experience and training in land-based education, youth work, and creating safe and inclusive spaces. Each coordinator is also on a unique environmental career pathway from which they will share experience and provide mentorship. You can get to know them and read their bios here.

EYA staff will help you find a well-suited work placement in the environmental field that aligns with your values and career goals. Past participants have completed work placements at organizations such as Hives for Humanity, Catching the Spirit Youth Society, Stanley Park Ecology Society, Soaring Eagle Nature School, Wild Bird Trust, UBC Botanical Garden, UBC Farm, Downtown Eastside Neighbourhood House, Fraser Basin Council, and Surrey Nature Centre.

The application process starts with an online application form. Following this, shortlisted youth will receive an invitation to a 30-minute Zoom interview with two EYA staff which is followed by a reference check. We know it takes time to apply for a program like this and will respond to all applicants, whether you are selected for an interview or not.

Each day starts at 10am with an opening circle and ends at 4pm with a closing circle. There is a 45 minute lunch break with lunch provided. Four days each week will consist of workshops and applied job skill training focused on themes such as Indigenous plant knowledge, native plant nursery operations, restoration practices, land-based facilitation through a mix of hands-on learning, discussions, skill building activities, presentations, and projects. One day per week is job-shadowing EYA staff on EYA's Nature Stewards programs to build skills such as land-based facilitation, youth support, program logistics. The majority of the program is outdoors.

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

We strive to make our programs as accessible as possible for our participants by being transparent on the inherent barriers that exist, and providing adequate support where possible. We recognize that disabilities are experienced on a spectrum and accessibility needs vary. Here are a few aspects of our programs which may create barriers or require further support to participate safely and comfortably:

• Outdoor program: Rain or shine, in public greenspaces. We have large tents, and warm layers to lend, but participants are exposed to the elements throughout the program day.
• Program areas: uneven ground that has rocks & roots and can be slippery at times.  Some steps and ledges in indoor and outdoor spaces.
• Group composition: Generally 1 staff + 6 participants.  The group dynamic can be stimulating, chaotic, and noisy at times.  Participants can step away as needed if overstimulated.
• Communication: Largely verbal.  Facilitators will utilize visual supports such as white boards and diagrams to support when possible. 
• Accessibility of washroom facilities: At our Strathcona site, the composting toilet is not wheelchair accessible.  At the ravine site, the washroom is a 5 minute walk away, but is wheelchair accessible.
• Activities: Many EYA activities are physical, such as games, digging, planting, walking.  Many activities can have alternative options and be adapted as needed.
• Digital learning: Some programming utilizes digital tools such as video conferencing, slideshows, and online collaboration. Closed captioning is available for video meetings.  Program registration generally takes place online, but paper applications are available.

Accessibility needs are extremely specific to the individual, and therefore this list is not comprehensive. When a youth applies for a program, we provide the opportunity to share about any health concerns, challenges or physical limitations that may require accommodations to support their participation in the program both in our application form and in our confirmation calls.  We can then work together to explore ways that we can adapt our programs and provide support to increase the accessibility.  Please reach out to us directly with any questions or concerns.