Our Programs

EYA offers free land-based education and paid employment training programs for youth from equity-denied communities focused on native plant horticulture, ecological restoration, plant medicine, and community leadership.

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How Our Programs Work

Our programs will support you to develop the skills and confidence to take action to care for the environment. They are led by youth educators who identify as Indigenous, Black, or People of Colour and integrate Indigenous teachings through visits from Elders and Knowledge Keepers. We run programs in two locations in East Vancouver - Strathcona Community Gardens and along Still Creek in Renfrew Ravine. Our programs are safe and inclusive spaces where you can connect with nature, explore your interests, and grow new skills to steward the land and pursue jobs related to environmental justice.

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.

Find The Program For You

A young woman is standing outside holding a wooden tool for tending to a garden. She is wearing a mask and gardening gloves and is putting up a piece sign with one hand.

Cultivate

This free employment skills workshop series will support you to develop employability skills such as resume & cover letter writing, communication, and job searching as well as land-based job skills in invasive species removal, tool safety, and plant medicine.

Apply By Date

Applications Closed

Next Program
February 27 - May 1, 2025

Eligibility
Youth ages 17-25 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and/or living with a disability.

A smiling young woman is standing outside and is holding up a frame with pink flowers inside of it.

Roots & Shoots

This paid 10-week job training program and 12-week work placement will support you to develop land-based job skills in horticulture, ecological restoration, and environmental education, as well as employability skills like project management and communication.

Apply By Date

Applications on Hold

Next Program
Summer 2025

Eligibility
Youth ages 18-25 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, and/or living with a disability.

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

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, while earning up to a $200 honorarium.

Apply By Date

Applications Closed

Next Program
February 16 - June 1, 2025

Eligibility
Youth ages 14-18 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, living with a disability, or from other equity-denied communities.

Two young women are standing outside in green space. They are smiling.

Peer Mentors

In this volunteer program, you’ll develop skills in youth work and land-based education through training, mentorship, and hands-on experience helping to deliver our Nature Stewards programs alongside EYA staff.

Apply By Date

Applications Closed

Next Program
February 22 - May 4, 2025

Eligibility
Youth ages 18-25 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, living with a disability, or from other equity-denied communities.

Three youth are outside smiling and showing off their braided grass.

Youth Habitat Crew

Through this paid summer job, you’ll work with a small group of youth to help maintain EYA programming sites while developing land-based job skills like ecological restoration and medicine harvesting.

Apply By Date

Applications Closed

Next Program
Summer 2025

Eligibility
Youth ages 14-25 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, LGBTQ2S+, living with a disability, or from other equity-deserving communities.

A large group of youth from a school are holding up a project they created while standing and kneeling outside.

School Field Trips

Through our curriculum-aligned field trips, your students will engage in 90-120 minutes of land-based learning at EYA’s programming sites in Strathcona Community Gardens or Renfrew Ravine.

Apply By Date

Submit Request Anytime

Next Program
March - June 2025

Eligibility
Elementary and high school classes from VSB public schools, with priority given to alternative schools and schools located in East Vancouver.

Youth learn to use plants for food, medicine, and fibre.

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