TRCA Youth Council

Got a passion for the environment? Looking to make a positive impact in your community? There could be a place for you on our Youth Council.

WATCH TESTIMONIALS

MEET THE YOUTH COUNCIL EXECUTIVE

About TRCA’s Youth Council

Are you between the ages of 16 and 30? Then the team here at Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) wants to hear what you have to say about environmental issues.

TRCA’s new Youth Council is designed to give young people in the Toronto region a way to come together to identify issues that matter to you, and give you the tools to take real action.

Council members set their own annual goals, as well as continue on longer term projects started by previous Youth Council Executives and help move forward important TRCA work.

New initiatives could include organizing youth events about the environment, giving input on TRCA programs and priorities, or working on awareness-raising campaigns about specific environmental issues — the decision belongs to you.

Examples of previous events and projects include panel discussions on equity and inclusion in the conservation field, documentary screenings and Q&As with experts, and participating in the live streaming of TRCA’s work — like night-time electrofishing!

READY TO JOIN NOW?

Upcoming Youth Council Events

Important Stuff to Know:

Who Should Join?

What's This About?

Why Get Involved?

WHO SHOULD JOIN THE YOUTH COUNCIL?

If you’re between the ages of 16 and 30 and currently reside or attend school in TRCA’s jurisdiction, then the answer is simple: it’s you.
A couple of other important considerations:

• We want the Council to be diverse: Members should come from the widest possible range of backgrounds, to reflect the tremendous diversity of the Greater Toronto Area.
• We want members to be passionate: The people who join the Youth Council should be motivated, energized and committed to making real change.

WHAT’S THE YOUTH COUNCIL ALL ABOUT, ANYWAY?

The Council has a couple of big goals:

First, to build healthy communities through improved connection to greenspace and nature. 
This can mean different things to different communities, but we know that a stronger connection to nature generally leads to better health and well-being.

Second, to inspire empowered and engaged youth.
Young people have an enormous stake in the long-term health of our environment, and they need a voice right now in discussions about sustainability and conservation. That’s why it’s so important for the Council members themselves to shape its direction.

There are also some major objectives that will guide the development of program activities:

• Build capacity and engage youth by creating learning opportunities for young people across the GTA.
• Build a youth network and strengthen existing networks to help connect young people across the region who share a passion for environment and sustainability.
• Identify youth perspectives so that young people’s views on current environmental issues can help inform the work of TRCA and its partners.
• Create fun opportunities for youth to explore environmental issues in entertaining and engaging ways.

Sound good?

SO WHY SHOULD I GET INVOLVED?

Lots of reasons! You can help shape the Youth Council. Here are some benefits to joining:

• Make new friends who share your interests and passions
• Develop leadership skills
• Expand your professional network
• Enjoy new experiences
• Learn about the inner workings of an important environmental organization
• Get environmental sector experience
• Make a positive difference in your community!

Additionally, Executive members may benefit from gaining volunteer hours and references for job or school applications.

Ready to Apply? Let’s Get Started

There are two ways to participate in the Youth Council: as a general member, or as a member of the Youth Council Executive.

YOUTH COUNCIL EXECUTIVE

The Youth Council Executive is the guiding body of the Youth Council. Ten Executive members will be selected for a term of one year.

As an Executive member you’ll be expected to organize and run monthly Youth Council meetings, help set priorities for the year, and draw up the work plan – a commitment of approximately four to five hours a month.

Executive members must reside or attend school within TRCA’s jurisdiction and be between the ages of 16 and 30.

Applications for the Youth Council Executive for 2025-2026 are now closed.

GENERAL MEMBER

As a general member, your level of participation is up to you. There will be opportunities for all members to take part in a variety of activities on a drop-in basis. If you have an interest in heading up a project or initiative, you’re encouraged to bring your idea to the Youth Council Executive.

APPLY FOR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

TRCA Youth Council Webinars

Check out the videos from our virtual events.

Fast Fashion
Sustainability Solution Town Hall – February 27, 2025

• • • •

Careers in Conservation
Virtual Town Hall – January 29, 2025

Questions?

If you’d like more information about the Youth Council, please contact Jessica MacDonald, Coordinator, Government & Community Relations.

Our Newsletter

Find out what’s been going on with the TRCA Youth Council by checking out back issues of our newsletter:

Youth Council Executive

The 10-member Youth Council Executive takes the lead in in organizing community events for the Youth Council and the general public.

Working together with TRCA staff, Youth Council Executive members plan events focused on the issues that young people in the Toronto region are most passionate about.

MEET YOUR EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

	Almustafa Abbas  |  Don River Watershed Almustafa Abbas is a social policy advocate with a strong interest in refugee rights, environmental sustainability, youth engagement, and politics. He has worn multiple hats through his journey since 2018, when he volunteered for the first time with Green for Sudan. Almustafa has experience working with many organizations including Nature Canada, Climate Vulnerable Forum, and YOUNGO. Additionally, he has served as a UN Youth Delegate for Sudan as well as a COP29 Youth Delegate for Canada.
	Lamin Darboe  |  Humber River Watershed Hi, I’m Lamin Darboe, a proud alumnus of TRCA’s Newcomer Youth Green Economy Project. I’m excited to be stepping into my second year as part of the TRCA Youth Council Executive! This is an incredible opportunity to continue fueling my passions for climate advocacy, social entrepreneurship, and driving positive change in our communities. Outside of my advocacy work, I’m an avid soccer player and outdoor enthusiast. I look forward to collaborating on exciting initiatives, making meaningful contributions, and creating lasting impact together. Let’s make a difference!
	Jennifer Khuu  |  Etobicoke Creek Watershed Hi there! I’m Jennifer, an upcoming graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s Urban and Regional Planning program. I am passionate about environmental conservation, stewardship, and sustainable transportation. I am also interested in exploring the relationship between mental health and nature. In my free time, you can find me going out for sunset runs, hiking with friends, baking a new recipe, or reading the latest YA romance novel.
	Gunar Lalli  |  Etobicoke Creek Watershed Hello! My name is Gunar and I’m so excited to be a part of TRCA’s Youth Council. I’m looking forward to exploring wildlife action and tending to the environment. I also love reading historical fiction, swimming, going on hikes with my family, and planting vegetables.
	Sahhara Leckie  |  Lake Ontario Waterfront Hi everyone! My name is Sahhara and I’m thrilled to be part of TRCA’s Youth Council this year. I currently work as a program manager for a professional services firm, strengthening executive relationships through strategic initiatives. Outside of work, I find joy by spending time in nature (hiking, cross-country skiing, and camping), and I’m deeply passionate about conservation, nature accessibility, and applying policy solutions to environmental issues. I’m very excited to collaborate with like-minded youth to make a meaningful impact on the environment and our communities. When I’m not outdoors, you’ll often find me reading, supporting the board of the High Park Nature Centre, or drinking lots of tea!
	Adam Mawani  |  Lake Ontario Waterfront Hello, I’m Adam, and I’m excited to be serving my second term as a TRCA Youth Council Executive Member. I’m passionate about protecting our environment, and in 2024, I was selected as one of Canada’s Top 25 Environmentalists Under 25 by Starfish Canada. I’m interested in applications of data analysis, economics, and policy in creating impactful and just climate solutions. I believe that youth have a major role to play in protecting the natural world, and I aim to empower youth to take action.
	Sarvesh Sekar  |  Rouge River Watershed Hi everyone! My name is Sarvesh Sekar and I’m a grade 12 student excited to be a part of this year’s Youth Council! I’ve loved wildlife and nature for as long as I can remember, which first started with an interest in reptiles. I hope to bring our community opportunities to directly impact the local species calling Ontario’s ecosystems home. I look forward to pursuing a career integrating technology, the environment, and biology where I can make a difference through innovation and entrepreneurship. My hobbies include gardening, playing sports, video editing, and reading!
	Liam Vu  |  Humber River Watershed Hello! I’m an Urban and Regional Planning Student at Toronto Metropolitan University. As an aspiring city planner, I am interested in how we can use the toolbox of land-use planning, policy, urban design, and community engagement to foster environmental justice and climate resilience in urban communities. I’m excited to join the TRCA Youth Executive Council to introduce ways urban planning intersects with environmental conservation and advocacy. In addition, I hope to gain important environmental skills to enhance my career as a climate-responsive planner.
	Evelyn Widner  |  Lake Ontario Waterfront Hello, my name is Evelyn and I’m so excited to be joining the Youth Council Executive for another term! I am an outdoor educator and I’m always looking for ways to connect with youth in nature and inspire curiosity about our environment. This coming year, I’m looking forward to bringing global concepts of sustainability and environmental advocacy to a local setting, and to participate in TRCA’s initiatives with like-minded individuals while exploring different natural spaces in the region. You can find me cycling along the waterfront, hiking, reading, or hanging out with my dog Lily.
	Bethany Williams  |  Duffins Creek Watershed Bethany Williams is a second-year undergraduate at the University of Toronto Scarborough pursuing Environmental Studies and Urban Planning. With a passion for conservation and restoration in collaboration with Indigenous communities, she is currently entering a position with Ontario Power Generation’s Indigenous Relations and Partnerships Division. As an Executive Member of the Youth Council, Bethany hopes to create more opportunities for reconnecting youth with their environment through events and media.