FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10 October 2025 | OTTAWA | UNCEDED, UNSURRENDERED TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE ALGONQUIN ANISHINAABEG
Ottawa, ON — Ecology Ottawa today announced the second cohort of its EcoYouth Council.
This year’s Council members—Alexandra, Clair, Lily, Lilya, Ariella, Malie, Aaron, Noah, Dahlia, Rhapsody, Kenzie, Kaamil, Dana, and Mackenze—are passionate about driving local climate action and creating meaningful change in their schools and communities across Ottawa.
“We’re delighted to work with this new cohort,” said William van Geest, Executive Director of Ecology Ottawa. “These fourteen youths are full of energy, enthusiasm, and great ideas for taking local environmental action. We’re excited for what this year will bring.”
Ecology Ottawa’s EcoYouth program, in its second year, seeks to engage youth in local environmental solutions, listening to and respecting their knowledge and perspectives. It facilitates the deepening of their knowledge about environmental issues and solutions in Ottawa, and seeks to meaningfully work out justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion through all their activities.
“It’s never been a more important time to empower youth for environmental and climate action, ”said Kay Taghdi, Community Organizer with Ecology Ottawa and lead for the EcoYouth program. “The Council members are channeling their climate anxiety into educating, mobilizing and community building for students in Ottawa. Their voices are essential to shaping a sustainable, resilient, and just future for our city.”
The EcoYouth Ottawa program incorporates a variety of activities, including school presentations offered by Youth Council members, the annual Youth Climate Summit for youth across Ottawa, hands-on volunteering opportunities, pollinator gardens planted in local schools, and youth awards in the annual Eco Awards. Council members will help lead workshops, engage their peers, and contribute to city-wide environmental initiatives—all while building leadership, teamwork, and advocacy skills.
EcoYouth Ottawa is funded by the generous support of the Alva Foundation and the Ottawa Community Foundation.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
William van Geest
Executive Director,
Ecology Ottawa
613-860-5353
About Ecology Ottawa
Ecology Ottawa is the heartbeat of the environmental movement in our nation’s capital, with a network of over tens of thousands of people. Ecology Ottawa is a not-for-profit, grassroots, and volunteer-driven organization that organizes in communities, engages citizens, and collaborates with partners to create a green, resilient, and inclusive city.
Website: ecologyottawa.ca.
