Place-based, youth centred learning

The Salish Sea Emerging Stewards Program is an innovative science and leadership initiative delivering hands-on environmental education to Indigenous and underserved youth. Combining outdoor and online learning through the lens of “Two-Eyed Seeing,” the program aims to inspire and empower the next generation of conservation leaders.

This year, we guided several multi-day expeditions aboard SV Achiever through the Gulf Islands with Indigenous youth. These experiences are an opportunity for participants to explore their territories, immerse themselves in coastal ecosystems, learn about stewardship, and participate in cultural activities such as drumming and singing. 

We delivered land-based learning for Tsawwassen First Nation youth, which culminated in the fourth year of our summer stewardship program, and weekly spring activities with our new partner, the Red Fox Healthy Living Society in Vancouver. We also partnered with other organizations, as well as Raincoast’s Healthy Waters, Wolf Conservation, and Forest Conservation programs, to provide learning on a wide range of topics that connected youth with scientists. 

We look forward to growing our program in the coming year by providing new learning opportunities, offering Achiever expeditions to new partners, and developing and publishing new online learning resources.

This is an excerpt from our annual report, Tracking Raincoast into 2024.