Subnational | PANORAMA

Developing and Sharing Relevant Tools, Resources and Templates

YOLO resources screenshot

YOLO

To support Emerging Leaders programs, Nature United and community partners have developed many tools and resources to support communities in establishing, running and expanding their own on-the-land programs for Indigenous youth. The SEAS Toolkit was developed in 2017 by communities running Supporting Emerging Aboriginal Stewards (SEAS) youth on the land programs on BC's Central Coast, in partnership with Nature United. It is a resource for planning an on-the-land Indigenous youth program developed based on the unique culture and territories of First Nations on the BC Coast, that other communities can adapt to their specific contexts.

In more recent years, several one-off tools and resources have been developed by Nature United or shared out by community partners, in response to need and requests from on-the-land programs, including curriculum documents to link programs to school credits, financial reporting templates, and tipsheets on how to include mentorship opportunities in programs. These all now live on the YOLO (Youth On the Land Opportunities) Community network website in the resource library.

Strong relationships with community partners who are willing to share templates and information they have developed to address common challenges.
Creating spaces for communities to share documents they have developed with each other (e.g., a webinar to share curriculum documents developed in one place can inspire a program Coordinator in another place to develop their own curriculum, as well as facilitate a connection between two people working on the same thing).

Tools developed must be able to be easily customized to address the unique needs of local contexts.
Resource libraries must be considered living repositories where resources, stories and experiences of what has and hasn’t worked can evolve and grow over time. As more and more communities build youth on-the-land programs and share their experience, information must continue to be updated and revised to remain relevant. It is also important to remember that only a fraction of experiences and activities are captured in any given toolkit and may only reflect the needs of those who informed their development.
Sharing an abundance of information that meets the needs of a diverse group of communities must be balanced with presenting information in a clear and accessible way, to avoid overwhelming users and ensure resources are used by those doing the work on the ground.
Tools and templates can be useful on their own, but often need human connections and relationships to “animate” them and increase their use. Having facilitators or network coordinators available to walk communities through how to make use of resources can be invaluable.

YOLO Community network resource library

Peer to Peer Learning Connections for Coordinators of On the Land Programs Serving Indigenous Youth

YOLO screenshot

YOLO

Coordinators have offered feedback that being the only ones doing this work in their communities can feel isolating. We continue to hear from practitioners on the ground that they are hungry for opportunities and are wanting to connect and learn from each other across communities. People want to share practical details about their experience building and running an on-the-land youth program - where others got their funding or received their training. Having spaces to share what’s working and not working, They want to share challenges and to learn from each other.

The YOLO network fulfills a need for resource sharing and communication. The YOLO website features a map of on the land programs for Indigenous youth programs across the country, along with contact information for fellow Coordinators, who can sign up to participate in monthly virtual coffee hours and webinars to connect with others doing similar work. Many connections have already grown out of these coffee hours, with participants sharing tips and funding resources with each other, planning land-based camps together, and talking about getting together for exchanges in the future.

For the success of this initiative, we have learned the following factors are important:

Creating opportunities for strong relationships to be built.
Developing communications materials to help potential participants understand the value of the network.
Dedicating a position to coordinating the network and “network weaving” - creating connections between members
Creating accessible and engaging meeting opportunities for network participants (virtual, as well as in person - the value of in person connection is hard to replace)

The following are key lessons learned through the YOLO network’s experiences of creating opportunities for peer to peer connection among those running on-the-land programs for Indigenous:

People want access to others doing similar work to them, and the collaborations and support that comes out of spaces for people to connect in unstructured or lightly structured ways is amazing.
Having “network weavers” in dedicated positions to hold space for people to connect is important - someone needs to hold the role of organizing, inviting, facilitating connections, etc.

Having a strong advisory group to guide the network, its development, and direction has been very important. We are working toward ensuring there is diverse geographic, demographic and skills-based representation and including seats for Elders and youth. Considering how the advisory group can guide us toward ensuring the network is Indigenous-led in the future and grounded in what communities need and want are top priorities for the YOLO network

Supporting Indigenous Youth: Why On-The-Land and On-The-Water Programming is Important

YOLO (Youth On the Land Opportunities) Community network website

4. Leveraging Expertise for Advocacy, Knowledge Sharing, and Technological Integration:

It is understood that effective conservation necessitates continuous knowledge exchange, unwavering policy advocacy, and the smart integration of modern technology.

Actionable Step: Actively utilize established platforms and networks to disseminate crucial information and influence policy. The role as Regional Vice Chair at IUCN CEESP, contributions to environmental law blogs, and appearances in environmental awareness videos are instrumental in this endeavour. Furthermore, focus will be placed on integrating

Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Traditional Knowledge Systems (TKS) to create advanced conservation strategies. AI can analyse vast datasets on ecological patterns, climate change impacts, and biodiversity trends, while TKS provides invaluable localized, nuanced understanding of ecosystems and sustainable resource management. This synergy can lead to more precise conservation interventions and predictive models.

Areas of Focus: Continue to lead international webinars and symposiums on critical environmental topics such as "Rights of Nature in the Anthropocene" and "Science and Environmental Law Interface." Dedication to advocating for environmental causes at international conferences and universities, fostering regional and global collaboration, is paramount.

In conclusion, by strategically intertwining environmental law and policy with the profound wisdom embedded in cultural practices and Traditional Knowledge Systems, and by judiciously integrating advanced technologies like drones for reforestation and AI for enhanced analysis, a more sustainable and equitable path to biodiversity conservation can be forged. This framework, passionately designed offers a powerful means to engage communities, influence policy, and ultimately secure a healthy planet for all future generations.

3. Integrating Cultural Practices and Festivals for Environmental Conservation

It is contended that Hinduism, with its diverse pantheon symbolizing aspects of a single reality ("Truth is One, the wise call It by many names"), inherently promotes reverence for nature.

For Example:

Nature Worship: It is observed that nature worship is a fundamental part of human society, with divinity ascribed to various natural elements. This community-based practice is increasingly vital for effective nature and natural resource conservation.
Symbolism of Deities and Vahanas: The portrayal of Hindu deities with animal or bird "vahanas" (vehicles)—such as Ganesha with his rat (Mooshika), Shiva with the bull (Nandi), Durga with the lion or tiger, and Vishnu with Garuda—instills deep respect and protection for these animals. This cultural veneration fosters a natural inclination towards animal welfare and conservation.
Festival Connections: Many Hindu festivals incorporate elements that inherently promote environmental consciousness, ranging from the ceremonial use of specific plants to rituals honouring natural elements. Highlighting these connections strengthens the cultural impetus for conservation.

2. Cultivating "Grow Natives" through Cultural Practices and Innovative Technology

It is believed that the inherent harmony with nature, so central to Indian culture where mountains, rivers, trees, flowers, and animals hold sacred significance, can be powerfully harnessed. This deep reverence for nature is a potent force for promoting the cultivation and preservation of native plant varieties.

Actionable Step: Actively encourage and facilitate initiatives to "grow natives" by directly connecting them to deeply rooted cultural and religious practices. This can be significantly amplified through the strategic use of technology. For instance, drones can be employed to deploy seed bombs in challenging terrains like mountains, facilitating large-scale afforestation and restoration efforts in areas otherwise difficult to access.

For Example:

Sacred Plants: The immense cultural and religious significance of plants worshipped since the Vedic era is highlighted. The "Panchvati" – the combination of Banyan, Peepal, Fig, Bilva, and Amla trees – described in "The Ramayana," symbolizes health, medicinal value, and enhanced cognitive well-being. Other sacred trees such as Ashoka, Bael, Bamboo, Banana, Bhang, Coconut, Lotus, Mango, Neem, Red Sandalwood, and Tulsi are associated with deities and hold significant medicinal value, showcasing their multifaceted importance.
Deity Associations: It is emphasized how specific native plants are linked to various Hindu gods, goddesses, and planets, such as Tulsi with Vishnu and Krishna, Bilva with Shiva, and Lotus with Lakshmi and Saraswati. By promoting the planting and nurturing of these species through the lens of spiritual devotion, significant contributions to biodiversity can be made, complemented by technological solutions for wider reach.

Prophet/Holy Men Associations: Trees like the Banyan, Sala, Peepal, and Ber, which are revered due to their association with prophets and holy figures across Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, are highlighted. Work in this area includes supporting the establishment and protection of groves featuring these trees, reinforcing both cultural heritage and biodiversity

Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships (Partnerships)

The success of FMNR is supported by collaboration with government ministries (e.g., Department of Forestry from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change), local authorities, and NGOs. These partnerships facilitate policy support, scaling, and integration into broader reforestation and climate adaptation strategies.

Community Empowerment and Farmer Training (Process)

World Vision invests in training farmers on FMNR practices and land stewardship. This includes knowledge-sharing, farmer-to-farmer learning, and community mobilization, ensuring local ownership and sustainability. Behavioral change and traditional knowledge are central to the process.

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National

Low-Cost Regeneration Technique (Approach & Tool)

FMNR uses a simple, scalable method of regenerating trees and shrubs from existing root systems or stumps. Farmers prune and protect selected shoots to allow natural regrowth, restoring land without expensive inputs. This technique builds climate resilience, improves soil fertility, and enhances biodiversity.

Strengthening Systems Through Strategic Partnerships

The project works closely with city councils to establish efficient municipal waste management systems, ensuring a steady supply of organic waste for composting. In addition, it advocates for policy development that supports composting, waste segregation, and circular economy practices. These partnerships and advocacy efforts are vital to creating an enabling environment for sustainable compost production and long-term soil restoration in Malawi.

Unlocking Market Access to Strengthen Women-Led Compost Businesses

Under the Promoting Organic Systems of Soil Improvements to Build a Lasting Economy (POSSIBLE) Project, women’s compost products are linked to reliable markets. This market access has boosted incomes, improved product consistency, and enabled women to scale up their operations—contributing to wider adoption of composting for improved soil health.