Youth Climate & Nature Leadership
Through our Youth Climate & Nature Leadership impact area, we support key infrastructure organizations to equip young people to address climate change and protect our natural world.
Adolescence and emerging adulthood are critical periods of brain development. This is a time when young people’s innate capacities for creativity, innovation and collaboration can be engaged to enrich communities and contribute to the broader good. Supporting their cognitive, behavioural and psychological development has a positive impact on their overall healthy development.
Many organizations working at the intersection of youth and the environment have noted a lack of dedicated support for youth aged 15–25 and insufficient funding for innovation, systems change, and leadership development.
We support infrastructure organizations that equip and empower young people to lead climate action and protect the natural world. This includes efforts that provide youth with the skills, resources, experiences, and connections they need to build solutions and drive environmental change.
We recognize the importance of strong connections to nature in supporting young people’s wellbeing and fostering environmental stewardship. In an age of rising ecological anxiety and disconnection from the outdoors, our work supports youth-led initiatives that strengthen nature connection and mobilize collective action on the climate crisis.
Through our Youth Climate and Nature Leadership impact area, the Lawson Foundation is committed to strengthening youth leadership and civic engagement, and enabling meaningful climate and environmental action.
Current Focus: 2024/2025 Youth Action & Environment Pilot Fellowship
Year two of our pilot fellowship supporting the growth of four young environmental leaders developing projects at the intersection of environmental action and holistic well-being.
Current Focus: Building capacity to support young environmental leaders
Providing tools, resources and supports for young environmental leaders and organizations advancing work in environmental justice and climate action.
2022/2023 Youth Action & Environment Pilot Fellowship
A pilot initiative that is supporting four young environmental leaders who are leading environmental action projects that inspire them.
Youth Action & The Environment Project Cohort
A three-year initiative that invested $2.7 million in ten youth-led environmental initiatives across Canada.
First Steps
A revision of our strategic direction in 2014 led the foundation to focus on the healthy development of children and youth. This triggered an interest in exploring the interdependence of healthy human development and a sustainable environment.
Staff Contact
Amanda Mayer
Our Areas of Focus
Related News and Updates
Lawson Foundation Welcomes Four Environmental Leaders to 2nd Year of Youth Action & Environment Pilot Fellowship
The Lawson Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the second year of the Youth Action and the Environment Pilot Fellowship and introduce a new class of four recipients. As part of our Youth Action and the Environment strategy, the Youth Action and the...
The Starfish’s First Youth Environmental Changemakers Summit: An Inspiring Success
Filling the Gap in Meaningful Convening Spaces For Young Environmental Leaders Deep in the Squamish Valley, near moss-covered cedar forests and the flowing Cheakamus River, 75 young environmental leaders and changemakers convened for the inaugural five-day Youth...
Marium Vahed: Greening Muslim Communities Through Environmental Education
https://youtu.be/qlHmXZD1_lk?si=qzcI46Gq1Y5jvEiG This is episode four of our Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship documentary series, produced by My Media Creative as part of their Climate Warriors Series. Each film captures the incredible...
Serena Mendizabal: Bringing Together Kinship & Allyship Along the Haldimand Tract
https://youtu.be/1djVHfel-ao?si=gh5pFJ3X0Xdbtuap This is episode three of our Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship documentary series, produced by My Media Creative as part of their Climate Warriors Series. Each film captures the incredible...
Madeline Carr: Inspiring Multi-Generational Connections to Nature
https://youtu.be/PIQmjMMZRb0 This is episode two of our Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship documentary series, produced by My Media Creative as part of their Climate Warriors Series. Each film captures the incredible stories of four fellowship...
Alexandra Whiteduck Documentary: Empowering Community-Owned Clean & Safe Water Solutions
https://youtu.be/YSTOr-ixOQs This film is episode one of our Youth Action & the Environment Pilot Fellowship documentary series, produced by My Media Creative as part of their Climate Warriors Series. Each film captures the incredible stories of four...