We’re super excited to announce that Nicole Williams is this year’s recipient of the Green Club Joseph Lin Legacy Fund Scholarship with NatureKids BC!
With her first word being “moon,” Nicole’s ongoing fascination and connection with nature has been rooted from an early age. Her passion for the environment led her to seek roles related to environmental protection, such as working as a past BC Wildfire Fighter. During her time at Vancouver Island University, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a specialization in Ecology. While there, she was a Co-President of the Biology Club, organizing events to connect students with conservation initiatives, such as a beach cleanup and plant identification walk.
Situated in Vancouver Island, Nicole spends time out in the forest, connecting with nature through activities such as sustainable recreational fishing and mushroom foraging. Currently working as an Outreach Environmental Educator for Nanaimo Science, Nicole creates, plans, and delivers environmental lessons for homeschool students and after-school programs on topics like animal adaptations, seaweed ecology, and tidal zone diversity. Recently, she volunteered with the Nile Creek Enhancement Society, supporting salmon stock restoration by participating in salmon husbandry, engaging in public outreach and educating visitors about hatchery operations and salmon conservation. Nicole is also returning to school to complete a GIS certificate, building her skills in resource management.
Nicole plans to use the scholarship funds towards enrolling in workshops about Indigenous land stewardship practices, aiming to foster a deeper connection between others and their local environment through integrating Indigenous knowledge. She also plans to donate a portion of the scholarship to Nanaimo Science, helping children with financial barriers have access to environmental programs.
Congratulations, Nicole! You are inspiring all of us to learn more and take action for nature. We can’t wait to support you in your explorations and adventures.
NatureKids BC team