This program was developed to share and treasure the natural beauty of British Columbia with our youth, including our urban-nature areas, and our unique coastal wilderness, home to rich First Nations cultures, diverse and productive oceans, and an expansive intact temperate rainforest.
Our aim is to inspire, motivate and empower youth to protect and conserve the environment through art, film, and youth-driven actions. Youth represent honest and powerful voices for social change in their communities and are important advocates for better protection of plants, animals, and the natural communities they call home.
Allison Kermode is a Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University (SFU), and is also an affiliate/member of the Pacific Water Research Centre in the Faculty of Environment at SFU, and of the Centre for Cell Biology, Development and Disease in the SFU Faculty of Science.
Nicolas Teichrob is an award-winning photographer/filmmaker who holds a Master of Science degree in Geography/Geology. His unique eye has garnered many accolades while his photos have been published internationally in skiing, biking, and surfing media outlets.
Norm Hann is a professional stand up paddleboarder who spends his time training, racing and, exploring remote locations on his SUP, while sharing the sport in Canada. Based in Squamish, BC, Norm runs his own expedition company which provides SUP training and multiday SUP expeditions.
Anthony Bonello is an adventure filmmaker based in Whistler, B.C. Anthony brings a honed style of storytelling to film, which transports viewers beyond geography to convey the feel of a place and its people.
Fernando Lessa is an Outdoor Educator & Photographer who founded the Urban Salmon Project (www.urbansalmon.com). His previous projects include those based in the untouched Amazon forest, the unique Brazilian savannah, the tropical rainforest of Brazil, and the Atlantic Ocean.
MacKai Sharp is a powerful young filmmaker and photographer for which visual arts quickly made its way to the forefront of his life as the means of capturing his unique perspectives and self-expression.
Vanessa Clarke is a Communication Specialist and Digital Designer based in Squamish, B.C. She is a recent graduate from Simon Fraser University and is inspired to use her experience to promote climate action and social change.
Arian Tomar is a documentary filmmaker and outdoor media creator who draws from his diverse interests and background to tell stories that connect audiences with the world around them, generate empathy, and motivate socially aware action.
Serena Chin is our Youth Mentor and Educator. She is a biodiversity enthusiast and planted the first Miyawaki Pocket Forest in Western Canada in 2022. She is now a 1st year BSc. student at the University of British Columbia who thoughtfully intersects scientific research and community-centred action.
Chloë Fraser is our Strategic Communications Specialist. She is uplifting young environmentalists through climate storytelling and facilitating educational resources. Her work extends to communications at the Pacific Salmon Foundation and climate workshops with CityHive in Vancouver, Canada. Chloë has written pithy content for various projects, including climate strike op-eds and a family-friendly museum exhibit on mining justice. In 2023, she built and led an accredited climate communications seminar at the University of British Columbia. Named a Top 25 Under 25 environmental leader by Starfish Canada, Chloë continues to write and speak with authority, warmth, and joy about our climate future.
Caio Krause Conradt is a biology and environmental sciences undergraduate at Simon Fraser University. He has participated in many environmental initiatives including a range of volunteering activities, education events and research. Caio is passionate about the environment and aims to help preserve it.
The Take A Stand program is supported by the Faculty of Science and Faculty of Environment’s Pacific Water Research Centre (https://www.sfu.ca/pwrc.html), at Simon Fraser University (SFU). It has benefitted from the involvement and in-kind contributions from staff and Faculty of Science, Environment and Education. As well as the Take a Stand team bringing their program to schools, schools can also visit SFU’s Burnaby campus for presentations through the K-12 Science in Action Outreach program based in the Faculty of Science.
Youth speaking to youth, youth creating networks for change, and youth educating the public
Conservation, protection, and preservation of the natural environment through student education, engagement, and empowerment
Promoting time in nature
Interactive presentations on natural environments of BC
Youth contests and screening of award-winning film STAND
