Josephine Agueci, Development Coordinator

Growing up in bustling Toronto, Josephine learned from a young age to appreciate the small pockets of nature around her, finding a sense of peace and togetherness in her local parks, nature trails, and conservation areas. These early experiences sparked a lifelong belief in the power of parks to bring people together. She is passionate about connecting communities with each other and with nature.

Josephine completed her undergraduate degree in Earth & Environmental Sciences at McMaster University, where she developed a strong understanding of the anthropogenic factors driving our climate and extinction crises. A research trip to the receding glaciers of Iceland ignited her passion for conservation by highlighting both the beauty and fragility of nature while inspiring a sense of urgency for action. Following this, she pursued a graduate degree in Sustainability Management to understand environmental challenges more broadly through different worldviews and lenses. She is currently pursuing further graduate studies in participatory environmental planning.

Josephine began her career as a community engagement and public participation professional working to empower young people to become engaged citizens through place-based learning. Through her work with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, Josephine supported youth in deepening their understanding of and appreciation for Canada’s diverse ecosystems. After organizing hikes, camping trips, forest therapy walks, and ecosystem restoration projects with this community, Josephine was inspired to continue sharing the stories and inherent values of nature through her work.

 Since then, she has dipped her career toes in municipal government, conservation, non-profit, small business, and higher education sectors, and these diverse experiences contributed to her understanding of the practical requirements for addressing environmental challenges while building meaningful relationships across sectors. Most recently, her role with Western University involved collaborating with a diverse network of 250+ community partners to co-create community-based projects in alignment with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Through this role and others, Josephine has developed and implemented community partner engagement strategies and has strengthened her skills in project management, event-planning, communications, grant-writing, and fundraising.

 Josephine is grateful to help protect Canada’s most endangered ecosystems through her role with the Nature-Based Solutions Foundation. When she’s not at her desk, Josephine can be found picnicking in the park, running by Lake Ontario, managing her local farmers’ market, and identifying birds on group hikes (the Northern Cardinal is her favourite!).