Nature Canada Annual General Meeting and Awards Celebration
The event brought together a shared celebration of leadership, volunteerism, and collaboration in protecting nature. The outgoing Chair of the Board, Sabine Dietz called the meeting to order. Sabine was recognized and thanked for her years of service as she finished her term on the Board of Directors at the completion of the meeting.
The Executive Director, Emily McMillan updated the members in attendance in person and shared key successes of the past year, achieved together because of our members’ trust and kind support. You can read more about this in our Member update. The Treasurer of the Board, David Coffey spoke about the good financial health of the organization and the members passed the audited financial statements. Members also voted on the slate of people nominated or standing for another term to the Nature Canada’s Board of Directors. The recording of the Annual General Meeting will be updated to the website later this week.
During the AGM, we presented three national awards honouring exceptional contributions to conservation and environmental action.
The Charles Labatiuk Youth for Nature Award was presented to Ella Yan of Burnaby, British Columbia, for engaging hundreds of students in hands-on conservation through sustainability campaigns, plastic reduction initiatives, and shoreline cleanups. Her work with the Ocean Wise Mountains to Oceans Program reflects her deep commitment to inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders.
The Partner in Conservation Award was presented to NatureKids BC for 25 years of inspiring children and families to explore, learn, and take action for nature. A true leader in inclusive, community-based conservation, NatureKids BC makes the outdoors accessible to all—offering free memberships, partnering with newcomer and social service agencies, and empowering volunteers to nurture curiosity and care for Nature. Rebecca Law, Executive Director, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
Photo: Nature Kids BC
The Jodi Joy Volunteer for Nature Award was presented to two extraordinary volunteers, Kiyoshi Takahashi and Soren Bondrup-Nielsen, whose lifelong dedication to conservation has inspired communities across Canada. Based in British Columbia, Kiyoshi has spent decades protecting bats and Purple Martins, creating and maintaining nest sites, conducting surveys, and sharing his passion for wildlife through writing and community outreach. In Nova Scotia, Soren has inspired generations as a teacher, author, and conservation advocate, leading nature walks, mentoring students, and championing stronger protections for endangered species. Both embody the spirit of volunteerism that lies at the heart of Nature Canada’s mission.
“These remarkable award recipients show us the power of leadership, dedication, and passion for nature,” said Emily McMillan, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “From inspiring youth to volunteering tirelessly and building strong community partnerships, they remind us that individuals and groups across Canada can make a real difference for the natural world.”
Thank you to everyone who provided their voting proxy or attended and voted at this year’s AGM. The recording of this year’s meeting will be uploaded to our website in the coming days for those members who were not able to attend in person or join the Zoom call.
