Rabeya Shikdar Orpa, a Young Leaders in Conservation Program participant, has taken an exciting step toward making nature more accessible through the launch of her new environmental education platform, “Land and Learning.”
Land and Learning has been created to connect people of all ages with the natural world through engaging and hands-on learning experiences. Through her platform, Rabeya aims to provide environmental education for K-12 students, youth, community groups, newcomers, and learners through interactive sessions. Topics will include local ecosystems, native plants/ wildlife, species-at-risk, Indigenous perspectives, climate change, habitat restoration, biodiversity, and conservation etc. Rabeya also looks forward to collaborating with conservation organizations, restoration initiatives, and community campaigns across British Columbia.
Land and Learning has already hosted events in partnership with Kamloops Immigrant Services, Naturally Taught, and BC Wildlife Parks as part of their children’s summer camp program. All these workshops introduced children to the beauty of British Columbia’s native plants through creative, artistic, visual, and hands-on activities. Participants explored linocut printmaking by carving and printing designs inspired by arrowleaf balsamroot, burrowing owls, and animal tracks. They also created their own plant presses using local species, including bigleaf maple, sagebrush, and grasses. Rabeya is looking forward to creating more connections and making environmental education fun and accessible for everyone.
We are proud to see our Young Leaders in Conservation turning their ideas into action and creating opportunities that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. Congratulations to Rabeya on these events, and we look forward to seeing Land and Learning continue to grow and bring nature-based education to communities across British Columbia. If you want to learn more, please visit landandlearning.ca or follow her instagram page @land_and_learning!
