Young people are leading the way for change when it comes to social, environmental, and climate action, yet they are still vastly underrepresented when it comes to positions of power, especially within organizations engaged in sustainability work. The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) recognizes the importance of creating and sharing spaces for youth to be involved in conversations around some of the biggest challenges we all collectively face, and youth stand to inherit – topics such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and inadequate community resilience.
To ensure that FBC’s impact reflects and is inclusive of youth voices, FBC has an appointed youth director on our Board to braid youth perspectives into our decision-making processes. Our Youth Programs initiatives are actively informed and shaped by our Youth Advisory Committee.
The FBC Youth Advisory Committee is composed of 15 representatives (aged 16-30) living in six major regions of BC, who are a voice for youth in their communities on sustainability and climate change issues. Committee members share their unique insights into key sustainability and climate priorities facing their regions and can identify ideas for projects they would like to see FBC initiate that address those specific challenges.
The Committee’s high-level input helps shape FBC Youth Program initiatives to better serve youth throughout the Fraser Basin and across the province. Committee members also support fellow youth in implementing exciting sustainability initiatives and in fostering their practical skills and confidence to act on pressing issues in their communities.
FBC Youth Advisory Committee members meet 6-8 times over a 12-month period. Members will:
- Connect and collaborate with similarly passionate, sustainability-minded youth from all corners of BC (including fellow YAC members and our youth alumni network)
- Learn more about unique climate change and sustainability issues across the province
- Help co-create opportunities for BC youth to contribute to sustainability and climate solutions (e.g. Co-Creating a Sustainable BC and the Down to You podcast)
- Observe the workings of FBC’s consensus-based decision-making board of directors from all levels of government, civil society, and business, and network and build relationships with them
- Gain hands-on leadership experience in organizational governance and planning, supporting FBC in sustaining organizational momentum in the long-term
The Fantastic 2024-25 YAC
Ann Duong
(she/Her)
Prince George (Northern BC)
Hey! My name is Ann, and I was raised in Toronto but moved to Prince George to escape the big city in 2015 and it is now my home! I am a student and Sustainability Manager at UNBC. I started at FBC CCSBC’s youth program in 2020 and met some amazing youth that together formed Eco Living Kitchen (ELK) – which created workshops on reducing kitchen/food waste, and we later won the Nourishing Innovations contest to implement the Community Cooking on Campus (C3) program to address food insecurity at UNBC. It has since evolved into a non-profit called Eco Living Community and it has come full circle as we have partnered with the FBC Youth program to facilitate the CCSBC Prince George youth cohort 2023/2024. I am excited to continue as Youth Director for FBC’s board and help discover ways to encourage youth to become the leaders and thinkers of the future.
Kyle Wickland
(He/Him)
Nanaimo (Vancouver island)
Hi, I am Kyle and I am currently a 3rd year student at Vancouver Island University studying geography. I am currently an event executive with the VIU Eco Club and the VIU Parks Canada Club. I have a passion for helping the environment through these roles and through my volunteer work with Youth 2020 CAN, where I am currently working with the Beaufort Park food forest in developing a new native plant garden. I look forward to sharing my passion with other like-minded youth and gaining more hands-on experience during my role on the youth advisory committee.
Cristina Favero
(she/Her)
Mission (Fraser Valley)
Hello! I am Cristina, a third-year geography student at UFV with a passion for sustainable transportation! As a Fraser Valley resident who does not drive, public transit is a particular interest of mine. Sustainability in general is something I increasingly find myself caring about, especially paired with equity issues. I’m working to be environmentally conscious in my own life, perhaps in ways that may seem small – but I believe the ‘small’ and more local level is the best place to start. We all need a foundation that we can build upon – this is how lasting change can be made. That’s why I am excited to learn from my peers, sharing my own experiences and learned knowledge as they share theirs. In my free time (when I’m not studying or daydreaming on a bus), I am usually reading manga, watching drag race videos, or crafting – crocheting is my current fave!
Jasleen Nijjar
(she/Her)
Abbotsford (Fraser Valley)
Hi! My name is Jasleen and I’m grateful to be residing in the traditional and unceded territory of the Stó꞉lō people, the Sumas first nations and Matsqui. I am a biology student who’s passionate about environmental sustainability, gardening, science, and health. Throughout the past few years, I’ve had opportunities to participate and helped lead various sustainability groups such as being the assistant project manager of a student-led soy-candle business and the project manager of an algae-based food business. I was also part of the 2022/2023 Co-Creating a Sustainable BC (CCSBC) Fraser Valley cohort where I met and collaborated with like-minded individuals to set up an event called Living Food-sustainably with various booths such as jamming and pickling demonstrations, gardening kits, and worm composting. I’m excited and honored to be a part of the 2024/2025 FBC Youth Advisory Committee.
Min-Gyeong Gahng
(she/Her)
Vancouver (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky)
Hi I’m Min-Gyeong, a Korean settler residing in the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and the səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) nations. Currently, I am a student upgrading at Vancouver Community College, with aspirations toward a path in humanities. In 2022, I was part of the CCSBC+ Vancouver cohort where I gained significant insights into cultivating a deeper connection with the land. FBC has served as the cornerstone of my community engagement journey and I’m excited to continue walking on this road with YAC. During my leisure hours, I love to colour in cafes, explore thrift stores, and play board games.
Lauren Fisher
(They/Them)
Surrey (Fraser Valley)
I’m Lauren and I am creativity-driven and nonbinary! I completed the Fraser Basin Council’s Youth Program in the Fraser Valley cohort from 2021 to 2022. I am honoured to get involved again, this time on the Youth Advisory Committee.
I seek to address the climate crisis by incorporating my lived experience as a late diagnosed Autistic and ADHD person. I also hold a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in Anthropology, with a focus in medical anthropology. Combining these experiences with my previous employment in allied healthcare communications strongly informs my approach to climate action.
I recognize the greater risks facing financially and medically vulnerable populations as wildfires, rising temperatures, flooding, displacement, exploitation and other climate-related issues continue. Accessible and inclusive efforts are essential to deliver truly sustainable solutions. I hope to spark more dialogue in the Lower Mainland about the climate crisis, including encouraging community leaders to step up.
Kevin Good
(He/Him)
Port Coquitlam (Lower Mainland & Sea-to-Sky)
Hello, my name is Kevin Good, and my pronouns are He/Him. I come from Snuneymuxw and Tseshaht First Nations (Nanaimo and Port Alberni). I currently live, work, and play on the traditional unceded territory of Kwikwetlem First Nations. I am passionate about climate justice, social justice, leadership, equity, learning/unlearning, and using a feminist approach and much more. My growth as a leader, is understanding that I enjoy learning from everyone around me and their experiences and the gifts they have to offer. I hope to inspire others and to continually grow through peer-to-peer learning and the opportunity to hear from other aspiring climate leaders. I am very excited and grateful to be a part of the Youth Advisory Committee, and look forward to creating and making meaningful change in the place we call home!
Vasudha Nikku
(she/Her)
Kamloops (Thompson)
Namaste, my name is Vasudha Nikku. I am a Chemical Biology student at Thompson Rivers University, living on the beautiful lands of the Secwepemc people in Kamloops. Before calling Canada home, I lived in Nepal and Malaysia for a large portion of my life. I’m fascinated by the biodiversity of different parts of the world and am amazed we get to call Earth our home. In 2022, I worked at Qwelminte Secwepemc, mainly focusing on Indigenous land stewardship and resource management. In the past two years, I have been working towards creating a community forest with a local Rotary youth group. I strongly believe that nature heals us in many more ways than we can see. I am super excited to join the FBC youth committee, learn from everyone and build a better future together!
Saaransh Bhardwaj
(He/Him)
Kamloops (Thompson)
My name is Saaransh and I recently graduated with a Master of Science in Environmental Economics and Management at Thompson Rivers University (TRU). My Master’s research project was about helping a local, small organization measure its carbon footprint, reduce emissions, and become more sustainable. I have volunteered with various environmental organizations like TRUSU ECO club, Fraser Basin Council, Invasive Species Council of BC and Transition Kamloops. Moreover, I co-wrote a book entitled “A Study of the Value of Kamloops Parks” with my professor about the valuation of the ecosystem services provided by different parks in Kamloops. I am currently working in Climate and Sustainability at the City of Kamloops. I have won numerous awards at local and national levels for my contribution and dedication towards the betterment of our community.
Dominic Robinson
(he/Him)
Quesnel (Northern Interior)
I am Dominic Robinson and I live in Quesnel BC and I am a Grade 11 student. My recent volunteer activities include: security at the Lhtako Quesnel BC Winter Games, helping the City of Quesnel with FireSmart education and assisting at the Quesnel River Research Centre fish hatchery program. In the summer I help out with my family’s tree planting camp. I am currently building a sauna in my spare time. I love camping, travelling and spending time in nature. As a youth from the north, I looking forward to learning and sharing my ideas about sustainability and climate change at the FBC Youth Advisory Committee.
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza
(She/Her)
Fort Nelson (Northern Interior)
Taylor Behn-Tsakoza is Dene from the Fort Nelson First Nation and Dunne Zaa from Prophet River First Nation in BC Treaty 8 territory. Taylor has dedicated her young academic and professional career to advancing Indigenous rights, title and treaty rights through youth participation in culture and language, decision making and policy development.
Currently, Taylor serves as the Community Liaison for her Nations’ renewable energy endeavor, Tu Deh-Kah Geothermal. Her role involves spearheading efforts to bolster food and energy security within her territory while addressing complex climate and socio-economic challenges that confront her community.
In addition to her pivotal role in the renewable energy sector, Taylor actively contributes as a Youth Advisor on the Indigenous Advisory Council on Agriculture and Food and the Ministers Advisory Council on Indigenous Women for the province of British Columbia. Furthermore, serves as a Youth Advisor for the Telus Indigenous Advisory Council.
Riley Unaru
(They/He)
Vernon (Okanagan)
Hi, my name is Riley (they/he). I have a large variety of interests such as painting, nature, and collecting trinkets. My friends describe me as strange, due to my disliking of soup and love for animals. Currently my favorite animals are ducks, raccoons, and capybaras. I spend a lot of my time on various creative projects and playing video games. I have been passionate about helping others for as long as I can remember, however in the past few years I’ve become involved in social justice. I hope as time goes on I can continue to grow and make more of a positive impact on our world.
Levyn Radomske
(He/Him)
Salmon Arm (Okanagan)
My name is Levyn Radomske and I am from Salmon Arm of the North Okanagan-Shuswap region. I am passionate about our environment and more specifically, the governance and management of forest landscapes. I completed my undergraduate degree in environmental science at Dalhousie University; during this period of 4 years, I was fortunate enough to engage in various opportunities that have fostered my interest in sustainability and sustainable development. Currently, I am a master’s student at The University of British Columbia, where I am studying international forestry. In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, skiing and biking as well as playing soccer. I am thrilled to be joining the 2024-2025 FBC Youth Advisory Committee, where I hope to develop meaningful connections with like-minded individuals from across the province!
Tristan Muhr
(He/Him)
Kamloops (Thompson)
I am currently a graduate student in Thompson Rivers University’s Human Rights and Social Justice Program. Through academic pursuits and a long history of community organizing, I have developed the understanding that to be civic-minded is to be ecologically minded. I have lived in the Thompson watershed all my life and have come to know it intimately. I understand that the water on the mountain and the water in the tap is the same, and that social justice is environmental justice. The natural world is held in common, and therefore ensuring the stability and wellbeing of its systems is a public obligation. I hope to contribute these perspectives and to represent the Thompson Shuswap Region by advocating for its specific environmental concerns through the Fraser Basic Council Youth Committee.
Zach Lidder
(he/Him)
Surrey (Fraser Valley)
Hi, My name is Zach Lidder and I am from Surrey. I am currently doing my undergraduate studies at Trinity College and The Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at The University of Toronto. I have been a passionate environmentalist since I was in high school and I have led multiple environmental services initiatives. Currently, my passion for the environment has allowed me to become a Youth Delegate to the United Nations Biodiversity Conference COP15 in Montreal to represent Canadian Youth, and I am also a compliance analyst for the G7 research group with my research focus being on Japan and the European Union’s Domestic Climate mitigation efforts. Outside of academics, I enjoy watching movies, chatting with new people, and spending time with my dog. I love to collaborate and be a team player and I am so excited to be a part of The Youth Advisory Committee.
Ahmad Jalil
(He/Him)
Prince George (Northern Interior)
I’m thrilled to be joining the FBC Youth Advisory Committee for 2024-2025! As a passionate advocate for environmental health and community well-being, I’m excited to contribute my skills and experiences to the team. Currently, I’m pursuing my research which focuses on air quality and collaborating with local organizations. Over the past five years in Prince George, I’ve been actively involved in organizing events as a Research Ambassador and volunteering with community groups. I believe in the power of youth voices to drive positive change, and I’m eager to work alongside my fellow committee members to make a meaningful impact. Thank you for this incredible opportunity, and I look forward to an amazing year ahead!