WELCOMING YOUTH INTO the
Future of Conservation
The Youth Conservation Collective (YCC), led by CPAWS Southern Alberta, is an exciting three-month program that helps students in Grade 10-12 build environmental knowledge and leadership skills —amplifying the diverse voices and perspectives that are too often overlooked in environmental conversations.
Whether participants are passionate about climate change, conservation, eco-justice, or advocacy, YCC provides the knowledge, skills, and connections they need to turn that passion into action. Students work alongside a community of eco-action youth and mentors to launch projects that matter, build leadership and teamwork skills, and gain hands-on experience tackling real-world environmental challenges.
YCC is more than just a program, it’s a community of young changemakers ready to take action for a sustainable future in their schools, workplaces, and beyond. Are you ready to join the movement?
PILLARS
Justice, Equity,
Diversity & Inclusion
Mentorship
Education
Action
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
COLLECTIVE RETREAT
Participants will embark on a two-day retreat in the Calgary area, where they will be immersed in the world of youth activism, conservation and community.
field studies
Participants will connect with the land and gain skills from industry professionals, advancing their action projects and strengthening their networks.
mentorship
Participants will have mentorship teams, designed to build relationships, career success, and academic opportunities in conservation. Teams include an Experienced, Emerging, and Peer Environmental Mentor, bringing diverse lived experiences, expertise, and resources.
showcase
To celebrate the immense growth and accomplishments of the participants, YCC will host a showcase event where participants, mentors, community partners, families and friends will come together to mark the conclusion of our collective.
IMPORTANT DATES
- April 15, 2025: Applications for students and mentors go live.
- May 19, 2025: Deadline for student and mentor applications.
- June 5, 2025: Successful student and mentor applicants are notified.
- August 23-24, 2025: Collective retreat in Calgary area.
- September 13th & 27th, 2025: Weekend Field Studies
- October 4th & 18th, 2025: Weekend Field Studies
- November 1st & 8th, 2025: Weekend Field Studies
- End of November, 2025: Showcase for students, mentors and our community.
YCC Eligibility & Applications
Your ideas, diverse perspectives, and energy are exactly what your family, friends, and community need to combat the effects of climate change. Lead your community into a more resilient and inclusive future by applying today!
*Applications go live on April 15th, 2025 and are due by May 19, 2025. Successful applicants will be notified by June 5th, 2025.
YOUTH
BENEFITS
- Connection: Be part of a program designed for youth who care about the places and people they call home and want to tackle the issues impacting your community.
- Impact: Collaborate with peers who share your values, work on projects that protect the environment, and inspire your family and friends to join the journey. Receive up to $100 to implement an action project that matters to you and your community.
- Growth: Build professional experience, gain confidence, get support from experts in the field through mentorship, and open doors to careers where you can lead change.
- Empowerment: Understand how your unique perspective and talents can start creating change. Help other youth see how their diverse culture, perspectives and connections will help us create greener opportunities
ELIGIBILITY
To apply to be a part of the Youth Conservation Collective, students must be going into Grade 10, 11, or 12 in the 2025-2026 school year and be available to attend all or most of the program dates.
APPLICATION
Youth, ready to apply? Applications are due by May 19, 2025.
mentors
BENEFITS
Please click here to view mentor benefits.
ELIGIBILITY
To apply to be a part of the Youth Conservation Collective, mentors must be available for the mentorship orientation and in-person training, three Saturday workshops, and the program Showcase. Dates to be determined. We have availability for experienced environmental mentors and emerging environmental mentors (please see descriptions below).
Experienced Environmental Mentors: Individuals with diverse current or recent academic, professional, or lived experience in the environmental sector, ideally from our target demographic. These mentors will draw from their extensive experiences, knowledgebase, and connections to support participants. Examples: Environmental and political science professors, environmental non-profit staff and board members, researchers, Indigenous conservation advocates.
Emerging Environmental Mentors: Individuals who are currently completing (or have recently completed) their post-secondary education and are pursuing careers in the environmental sector. These individuals will draw upon their learnings and experiences as young advocates working towards their careers to support participants.
APPLY
Mentors, ready to apply? Applications are due by May 19, 2025.
CONTACT US
If you have any questions about the program or the application process, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at changemakers@cpaws.org.
You can also follow us Instagram @cpaws.changemakers to stay up to date on program news and announcements.
YCC's Mission
Elevating Diverse Voices and Views
As our society evolves, so too must the future of conservation. Effectively addressing systemic issues requires the inclusion of individuals who have historically been excluded from conservation discussions. The involvement of youth in conservation is crucial to ensuring that diverse perspectives and voices are recognized and valued.
This active engagement empowers young people with the right and role in decision-making processes that directly impact both them and society at large. It equips today's youth with the tools they need to effectively advocate for the protection and restoration of nature.
To move toward an equitable and barrier-free experience for youth, we use adaptive tools and activities, remain flexible in our expectations, and offer locations and times that accommodate diverse schedules, mobility, and transportation needs.
By implementing these adaptations, committing to our bioDIVERSITY work, we aim to continuously build the Youth Conservation Collection into an inclusive, accessible, and impactful experience for youth —enriching their lives, and empowering them as active environmental stewards.
Youth Leadership in Conservation
Youth engagement in conservation is a crucial part of equipping young individuals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to become the next generation of conservation leaders. Supporting youth development in this way, particularly at the high school level, is so important, as it is a formative period when many begin exploring career paths and post-secondary options. Programs like YCC not only contribute to nurturing the next wave of environmental advocates, but also provide skills that are transferable to a wide range of fields.
Contact Us
Questions or comments? We'd love to hear from you!
Please email us at changemakers@cpaws.org to learn more.
You can also follow us Instagram @cpaws.changemakers to stay up to date on program news and announcements.