undreds of trees, participated in numerous litter clean-ups, and helped educate younger Scout members on the importance of waste management. Witnessing first-hand the severe weather impacts of climate change through various extreme weather events, Robert has come to understand that environmental action also involves supporting people during climate emergencies. During Hurricane Fiona, Robert assisted in debris clean-up and initiated the idea of staffing a comfort station at a local community center. Robert strives to lead by example by modeling sustainability in his everyday life and setting an example for those around him. His belief that even small actions make an impact, has led Robert to become an active volunteer in his community, leading him to be nominated for the 2025 Nova Scotia Provincial Youth Volunteer of the Year Award.

wide Earth Day events which included a community litter cleanup, home challenges and prizes. She was also a member of Greening Caledonia, a tree planting initiative that planted over 60 trees across the community. She is an active member of the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute Education Committee, her school’s Envirothon Club, and has also spent 10 days researching the Bay of Fundy with Saint Mary’s University’s Marine Mammal Camp. In addition to all her community involvement, Abigail has maintained honours with distinction throughout high school. Abigail has been accepted into the Marine Biology program at Dalhousie University where her strength and determination will surely lead to success.

on relocating to Nova Scotia in 2019, Reese has been involved with Friday for Futures climate strikes and has taken part in the Oceanwise Youth to Sea program. This led Reese to becoming a leading member of Better with Bees where she helped transform the school greenspace into a thriving Wabanaki meadow and medicine garden. In addition, Reese launched a Bioblitz program through iNaturalist to be used by the grade 11 biology classes to collect biodiversity data from the Wabanaki meadow. She has also taken on an outreach role and has presented information sessions at several events. As co-founder of the school’s philosophy club, Reese has encouraged deeper thinking on the roots and ethics of environmental issues.

r heart. Upon moving to Canada, she became more aware of the threat of climate change. Wanting to do her part to protect nature, she joined Youth for Future, an environmental club at her school. She was involved with numerous litter clean-ups and tree planting. One of her favorite events was Big Swap where unwanted items were collected from students and then resold to students for $1-$2. In 2024, Eden was elected to be co-president of Youth for Future where she spearheaded new initiatives. These initiatives include fundraising events for a local shelter and receiving grants to fund Planting for Mental Health, an activity meant to promote mental wellbeing through connection with nature. This fall, Eden will be taking the Licensed Practical Nursing program at NSCC.

nal Climate Action Catalysts program. Their team hosted 3 climate workshops with the goal of transforming climate grief into action. In addition, Kai developed a website as a hub for youth to find environmental volunteering opportunities. Their website was recognized in the 2024 Nova Scotia Annual Climate Change Plan Progress Report. Kai also began volunteering with the Wilderness Issues Committee at the Ecology Action Center. While there, Kai completed an 80-hour co-op placement taking part in research and developing an Instagram series for Wetland Appreciation Week. They also helped plan the 2024 People’s Parade of Life on Earth. Kai was later honoured for their volunteerism with the 2024 Bubby Mooers Award. Kai also led their school’s Environmental Club, where they organized clothing swaps, hosted guest speakers, and planned Citadel Earth Week. Last September, Kai was chosen to serve on the Nova Scotia Youth Climate Council where they are promoting climate action at the provincial level. Next year, Kai plans to attend Dalhousie University and major in Biochemistry and Microbiology.

and litter clean ups. She has also helped provide information to the community about funding programs and what they can do to lessen their environmental impact. Through this committee, Ava has continued to learn and deepen her passion for the planet. As a result of her dedication and contribution to the committee she was awarded The Town of New Glasgow Youth Leadership Award. Ava is the first person in her family to graduate high school and has been accepted into St. Francis Xavier University. There she will be taking her Bachelor of Arts inSociology, with the goal of completing her Master of Education and becoming a teacher. Education has made a positive impact on Ava’s life, and she hopes she can further empower youth through education.

tive completely on her own and was a little unsure if she would be able to get anyone to join. However, by advertising at her school, she was able to pull together a small team whom she has motivated and led through various initiatives including litter clean-ups, fundraisers, Earth Day events, and planting trees. Her group has also collaborated with the Town House Food Network for a community garden project. In addition, Alyssa has also been active in the community volunteering with Glace Bay Today and assisting with the Together Bench Project. Through these initiatives, Alyssa has made an impact as a young community leader. Alyssa is set to begin a Bachelor of Business Administration at the St. Francis Xavier University where she aspires to integrate environmental sustainability and business.

tainably. She has also shared her knowledge with various community gardens. Two of Audrey’s science fair projects have progressed to the national level. One of the projects investigated the sustainability of different brands of whiteboard markers. She found that by using refillable markers over 700lbs of plastic waste could be eliminated. This prompted her school to change their whiteboard marker provider. She also completed a project on the most sustainable nail polish. Audrey strives to find sustainability in everyday small choices. Through her actions, Audrey hopes to build awareness to enable environmental change. This fall, Audrey will be taking the Survey Technician program at NSCC.

dent in her annual roadside cleanups and in her large-scale donations to L’Arche Cape Breton, helping divert nearly $400 worth of items from landfills. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Lydia repurposed scrap fabric into over 250 hats with mask attachments for healthcare workers. On the farm, she practices circular economy principles through resource conservation and equipment maintenance. In 2024, her advocacy was recognized when she placed second in 4-H Nova Scotia’s Divert NS public speaking competition, highlighting sustainable farming. Lydia plans to further her knowledge through studies at Dalhousie’s Faculty of Agriculture.

d a fear of ticks and water. However, her curiosity enabled her to overcome her fears, and her passion for environmental stewardship was sparked. While there, she was involved with restoring indigenous plant gardens. Later, tackling her fear of public speaking, she gave speeches and became a public advocate for ocean education. She was also involved with video campaigns that were promoted by the Canadian Wildlife Federation. Valeria founded her school’s Oceans Club, aimed at connecting students to environmental action. In addition to raising money for an educational aquarium, leading numerous clean-ups, and organizing plastic alternatives workshops, her group has raised over $1200 dollars for non-profit ocean organizations. Valeria is also a volunteer with Back to the Sea and the Museum of Natural History where she has been involved with restoring green spaces and growing vegetables. Valeria plans to continue volunteering and will be working toward her Bachelor of Science at Dalhousie University.

communication coordinator on his school’s Student Council, he organized numerous environmental campaigns such as Earth Day workshops, Green Fest, and awareness projects promoting biodegradable alternatives and enzyme-based environmental experiments. During the 2025 Regional Science Fair, he combined his passion for sustainability with his creativity and presented a water rocket made entirely from recycled materials. Gia also plays an active role in his school’s Youth for Future club, which aims to build awareness on things such as recycling, energy use, and environmental action. Even though he has only been with the club since 2024, he has been recognized by the club leader for his dedication. Gia is planning to take the Engineering program at Dalhousie this fall, where his creative and innovative spirit will surely shine.

gram. The aim of the program was to test freshwater sources to ensure their suitability for wildlife and to track changes to the water quality over time. To participate in this program, Malcolm took a course to learn how to properly test water quality parameters such as pH, hardness, and chlorine. Also, while volunteering with ACAP, Malcolm was involved with a stream restoration project in Irish Cove. This stream had been negatively impacted by highway runoff. The work involved building stream barriers at various locations along the stream to help revert the stream to its natural path. Malcolm has also been a volunteer with Cape Breton Environmental Association (CBEA), where he assisted in numerous shoreline and community cleanups.

atives such as clothing drives and walking groups. In partnership with the Sackville River Association, he set up a classroom fish tank to be used to promote aquatic life education and then later held a fish release party. Quinn also championed awareness campaigns throughout the school on reducing single-use plastics and improving composting habits. He did this by printing posters, making announcements, and creating short videos. Quinn further promoted environmental sustainability as Vice President of Student Council.

eling alone in her environmental pursuits, she joined her first protest, Fridays for Future. Here she discovered an environmental community which further motivated her to move forward in her environmental endeavors. As a co-leader of her school’s Better with Bees club, Amelia has led efforts to create and maintain native pollinator gardens, including a Mi’kmaq Medicine Garden. She also took on an outreach role promoting the club at Saint Mary’s University International Education Week and giving meadow tours during the Nature Based Coastal Solutions and Ecological Restoration Symposium. To further deepen her knowledge and to better serve the Better with Bees club, Amelia completed a Pollinator Steward Certification. She also completed a 10-month Ocean Wise Youth to Sea program which involved shoreline cleanups and endangered species education. For her Ocean Service Project, she developed interactive outreach tools like crocheted models for classrooms. Amelia’s participation in a STEM program at Memorial University sparked her career aspirations as an engineer in renewable energy solutions.

ding improving access to garbage stations, launching plant fundraising projects, and organizing tree-planting and campus cleanups. Through these initiatives Zachary has not only promoted environmental action but has fostered empowered communities. Zachary has placed a strong emphasis on environmental education, coordinating presentations on Mi’kmaq traditional ecological knowledge and partnering with local organizations like Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP) to give presentations. Zachery has cultivated a sense of environmental stewardship, education, and inclusion among students, which will no doubt leave a lasting impact on his school community. Zachary’s future endeavors involve remaining an active volunteer in the community while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts at Saint Mary’s University.