CPAWS-BC Young Leaders in Conservation Program (YLICP)

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CPAWS-BC Young Leaders in Conservation Program (YLICP)

Youth lead the fight for climate and for nature. We want and deserve to shape the world we will live in and save the planet we will inhabit.

Youth have the vision and passion to transform and heal our relationships with the earth and each other – but we need more opportunities to be heard. Young people are often excluded from accessing the resources, skills and opportunities to shape environmental policy. Too many feel that their voices and concerns are not being fully represented in Canadian political discussions and decision-making spaces.

That’s why we’re backing youth – the conservation movement recognizes the need to change course and leverage the knowledge, expertise, and lived experiences of community members on the frontlines of the nature emergency, especially those who are oppressed and disadvantaged.

This program is an opportunity for youth to connect with like-minded, passionate people who care for nature and wish to make meaningful connections, network with youth leaders and conservation experts across BC, get coaching for skills relating to conservation advocacy in BC, and co-create ways of catalyzing change. We know that by bridging a network of like-minded peers, we’ll have a stronger impact, together.

About the program

The 2024 Young Leaders in Conservation Program (YLICP) provides youth with knowledge, skills and opportunities to advocate for conservation issues in BC.

Key topics include: 

  • Advocacy and lobbying skills.
  • History of conservation in BC.
  • Indigenous-led conservation and knowledge.
  • Government, community and media relations.
  • Strategic campaign planning and management.
  • Radical self-care in the environmental movement.

Participants are also coached and supported.

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Program structure

Delivered over six months (August 2024 – February 2025), the YLICP consists of the following:

  • Webinar Workshops: ~Six virtual webinar workshops over three months taking place on weekday evenings in Fall 2024.
  • Provincial Election Townhalls: in-person conservation and youth-focused election townhalls and candidate Q&As in strategic ridings ahead of the 2024 BC provincial election.
  • In-person Summit: A multi-day, in-person summit on the Traditional lands of the lək̓ʷəŋən (Lekwungen) People, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations (Victoria, BC).

The in-person Summit will consist of a Lobby Day with the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, where participants will get training and the opportunity to speak with government officials about conservation. Accommodation, travel expenses, and meals are provided at no financial cost to participate. 

Opportunities

  • Make meaningful connections with like-minded youth who care deeply about stewarding BC’s beautiful natural spaces.
  • Gain skills and knowledge to understand and advocate for conservation issues in BC.
  • Receive training and engage with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and other government officials about conservation.
  • Participants will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program.

Who should apply? 

YLICP seeks young leaders—ages 18-30, who permanently reside in BC and are connected to environmental issues. Our goal is to bring a diverse group of young folks together to build meaningful connections and provide skills training.

CPAWS-BC believes that Indigenous, Black, and Racialized people of the Global Majority, people from working class backgrounds, women, people with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQIA+ communities must be centred in conservation. As such, we strongly encourage people with these identities or who are members of other oppressed communities to apply.

This program has room for up to 25 participants.

*Applicants must be a resident of BC and be between the ages of 18-30 when applying*

 

CPAWS-BC Young Leaders in Conservation Program (YLICP)
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Photos by Adam Combs

Advisory Committee Members

Joanne is committed to uplifting the voices of underrepresented groups through meaningful, inclusive and intentional engagement. She strives for an equitable and just city where all people feel empowered and equipped to lead positive changes in their communities. Joanne has a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from UBC with a concentrated focus on planning for equity-seeking communities, and a Bachelors in Environment from SFU. Merging her two passions and knowledge, Joanne feels most energized when working within the intersection of climate action and the needs and interests of marginalized communities. She has worked on engagement projects and research with various organizations on municipality-level climate justice, urban and rural Indigenous housing, homelessness action, equitable transportation, civic engagement for racialized groups, and more.

Joanne Nellas

Joanne is committed to uplifting the voices of underrepresented groups through meaningful, inclusive and intentional engagement. She strives for an equitable and just city where all people feel empowered and equipped to lead positive changes in their communities. Joanne has a Masters in Community and Regional Planning from UBC with a concentrated focus on planning for equity-seeking communities, and a Bachelors in Environment from SFU. Merging her two passions and knowledge, Joanne feels most energized when working within the intersection of climate action and the needs and interests of marginalized communities. She has worked on engagement projects and research with various organizations on municipality-level climate justice, urban and rural Indigenous housing, homelessness action, equitable transportation, civic engagement for racialized groups, and more.
Brennan is a researcher, project manager, and volunteer coordinator with a passion for youth-led climate justice advocacy and climate policy. Brennan works as a Policy Analyst for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Policy Priorities Division. Outside of work, he co-leads the youth Climate Change Branch of the BC Council for International Cooperation, which empowers young people to build skills for climate careers and advocate for equitable climate action through hands-on research, communications, and climate conference delegations. At university, Brennan led efforts with student club SFU350 to successfully mobilize SFU to commit to fossil fuel divestment and declare a climate emergency.

Brennan Strandberg-Salmon

Brennan is a researcher, project manager, and volunteer coordinator with a passion for youth-led climate justice advocacy and climate policy. Brennan works as a Policy Analyst for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Policy Priorities Division. Outside of work, he co-leads the youth Climate Change Branch of the BC Council for International Cooperation, which empowers young people to build skills for climate careers and advocate for equitable climate action through hands-on research, communications, and climate conference delegations. At university, Brennan led efforts with student club SFU350 to successfully mobilize SFU to commit to fossil fuel divestment and declare a climate emergency.
Lucero is a young Mexican immigrant of ñha-ñhú ancestry who currently resides as an uninvited guest on the continuously occupied territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ and Kwantlen First Nations. She currently holds the Conservation and Policy Campaigner role at the Wilderness Committee. She has been involved in the social and environmental justice movements since she was sixteen and is passionate about the power of policy change driven by grassroots movements and communities. Lucero brings years of experience working in at-risk species protection and legislation, mostly in marine conservation spaces. She is also incredibly passionate about youth involvement in policy spaces, especially in ensuring those spaces are safe for BIPOC youth, like herself, to thrive in.

Lucero Gonzalez

Lucero is a young Mexican immigrant of ñha-ñhú ancestry who currently resides as an uninvited guest on the continuously occupied territories of the q̓ic̓əy̓ and Kwantlen First Nations. She currently holds the Conservation and Policy Campaigner role at the Wilderness Committee. She has been involved in the social and environmental justice movements since she was sixteen and is passionate about the power of policy change driven by grassroots movements and communities. Lucero brings years of experience working in at-risk species protection and legislation, mostly in marine conservation spaces. She is also incredibly passionate about youth involvement in policy spaces, especially in ensuring those spaces are safe for BIPOC youth, like herself, to thrive in.

How to apply

Applications for 2024 are now closed and under review. Questions? Email youth@cpawsbc.org.

Resources

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)