Parks Canada partners with organizations to employ youth across Canada to protect natural and cultural heritage
Gatineau – Parks Canada administers one of the finest and most extensive systems of natural and cultural heritage places in the world. By encouraging young people to discover and connect with these incredible natural and cultural places, we can inspire the next generation of stewards for these national treasures. Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, and Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth, announced $7.54 million in funding over two years to employ youth in natural and cultural heritage conservation with partner organizations.
Through funding from the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, more than 1150 youth across the country will be working with Parks Canada’s partners over two years, to promote conservation of natural and cultural heritage, restore healthy ecosystems and help address the impacts of climate change. Thanks to a broad network of conservation partners, employment opportunities for youth will be in a wide variety of settings, including managed forests and conservation areas, parks and protected natural and cultural heritage places, wetlands, and urban parks.
Youth employment opportunities are now open. Youth and employers interested in this program can learn more at:
· Project Learning Tree Canada
· Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
Parks Canada is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and greater equity. Parks Canada is proud to participate in the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), which includes providing opportunities for employment for Indigenous youth, racialized youth, and youth with disabilities.
“Today’s announcement represents a generational opportunity for Canada’s youth to get engaged with the conservation of treasured places in Canada. By giving over a thousand young people the chance to learn and develop their skills with organizations supported by Parks Canada through the Youth Employment Skills Strategy, we are building a generation of leaders who will proudly protect Canada’s natural and cultural heritage for their whole lives. I couldn’t be more excited for these youth and know Parks Canada and its partners will do an excellent job with their development.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada
“By providing young people with green job opportunities, we are breaking down barriers and witnessing tangible changes in many of Canada’s forests, parks and communities. Through the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, a new generation of environmental stewards are taking on this important challenge to safeguard our precious natural wonders and treasures for generations to come.” – Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth