Draper, DianneRettie, KathleenPuckett, Grace2015-04-022015-06-222015-04-022015http://hdl.handle.net/11023/2130Despite interest in youth-environment interactions, the convergence of “youth” and “environmental volunteering” has received little attention. I conducted a qualitative, cross-case study to explore how and why youth, aged 18 and younger, participate in environmental volunteering. Transcripts from interviews with volunteer coordinators and youth volunteers were coded to understand the similarities and differences in the structure, motives, challenges, and benefits of youth engagement. Although often overlooked as environmental volunteers, my findings suggest that children and teenagers can and are making contributions as volunteers. Experiences of youth volunteers differ in important ways from adults; however, a number of parallels can be drawn. A unique set of functions specific to the experiences of environmental volunteers emerged, suggesting the need for researchers and practitioners to take into account the meaningful ways that environmental volunteer motives differ from other contexts. A rich opportunity exists to connect youth with the environment through volunteering.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.GeographyGeographies of Children and YouthEnvironmental Volunteer MotivationYouth Environmental VolunteerismCitizen Scienceenvironmental educationPro-environmental BehaviourPublic Participation at Parksmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/26129