Youth Climate & Nature Leadership

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.

Understand our Impact

Access information about our granting history and the projects that we fund in our Grants Navigator.