The Green Review

Two members from the University of New Brunswick are involved with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society New Brunswick’s (CPAWS) Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program. This program connects youth to nature and their local communities, inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.

There are three core components of the program:

• A CPAWS-led expedition to a regional watershed in need of protection;
  Participant-led, volunteer community service projects focused on conservation or education; and
• A summit where participants share knowledge and develop civic engagement, conservation, leadership, and advocacy skills.
• The expeditions are led by CPAWS chapter staff and knowledgeable guiding companies and include hiking and/or paddling opportunities in the participant’s local region. CPAWS staff also guide participants in developing their community service projects. The program culminates in a summit where participants can meet one another, share their projects, and develop skills to further their conservation work. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we plan to offer a regional in-person and virtual national summit.

Rose He, a UNB student taking Chemical Engineer, took time out of her busy schedule to educate the community about the importance of biodiversity, conservation, and nature by taking part in CPAWS NB’s Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program.

“This year I was involved with CPAWS Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program (CWSP).

I have been a passionate environmentalist for years—through climate action groups and volunteering—and I am very happy to have been able to turn my passion into community involvement. Through this program you have the opportunity to go on an expedition in a regional watershed in need of protection: in New Brunswick, participants had the chance to kayak and explore the Bay of Fundy. Additionally, participants are encouraged to spearhead a conservation-related initiative. At UNB, I partnered with the UNB Environmental Society to organize a workshop to help educate students about conservation, biodiversity, and climate change as well as write letters to advocate for the protection of New Brunswick’s forests. On top of that, I have been given the opportunity to be involved with the CPAWSNB team’s “Watch Your Paws Program” which helps children connect with nature through workshops during class time!

Overall, this experience with CPAWS solidified my passion for environmental stewardship. Both the staff at CPAWSNB and the other participants have all been incredibly kind, supportive, and passionate about conservation. They have made the experience both memorable and fun! For those of you that have an interest in sustainability, I strongly urge you to apply! If you love the outdoors, I also encourage you to apply! You will make wonderful memories, strengthen your leadership skills, and feel even more connected with nature.

As a side note: If you ever have any questions about my experience with the program, feel free to reach out to me. I’m always open for a chat!”

Make sure you keep an eye out for future Green Review posts relating to the CWSP to learn about other UNB members' experiences. In the meantime, to discover more about the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society New Brunswick's Canadian Wilderness Stewardship Program, check out their website.