Canada's Top 25 Under 25 Environmentalist

Airlea Rasul was awarded Top 25 Environmentalist in Canada by The Starfish. Read her story below.

Airlea, off the coast of British Columbia in Haida Gwaii, during her time working with Coast Funds.

Born to an Afghan war refugee mother, Airlea Rasul’s journey has been fueled by resilience. Growing up with the hardships of being a first-generation Canadian, she stayed motivated by the desire to create meaningful change for her community. Today, Airlea is an environmental leader and the Founder of the Terra Elysium Foundation, a not-for-profit that believes memorable environmental education is deeply rooted in arts and culture.

Airlea was raised in Jane and Finch, a community where opportunities in environmental arts are scarce. She is committed to bringing accessible environmental and cultural initiatives to underserved neighbourhoods. She aims to create spaces where communities across Toronto can explore, learn, and become support systems for each other.

Airlea completed her bachelor’s degree in Environment and Urban Sustainability from Ryerson University with a variety of certifications including Environmental Management, Urban Climate, and Conservation. Her career is marked by diverse roles: she served as a Policy Officer at Parks Canada, providing support on key environmental policy operations. As Environmental Chair at LEAF Canada, she leads sustainability evaluations for major institutions. At Coast Funds, Airlea served 27 First Nations communities in coastal British Columbia and Haida Gwaii, supporting multimillion-dollar investments to strengthen Indigenous leadership in conservation.

Since its launch in October 2023, Terra Elysium has engaged nearly 100 participants in workshops, beach cleanups, and community initiatives, removing over 40 pounds of waste across 5 kilometers of Toronto’s shoreline.

Terra Elysium plans to install pollinator rain gardens in 2025 to mitigate flooding and support pollinator survival, offering areas for community connectivity, creativity, and wellness. These gardens will provide local residents with hands-on opportunities to engage with their environment, sparking a sense of ownership and collaboration. The foundation is also planning festivals across Toronto and recurring satellite programs in Jane and Finch to promote ongoing environmental education, cultural expression, and artistic programs. Future policy workshops will address critical issues, including the environmental impacts of Highway 413 on Ontario’s Greenbelt, empowering communities to advocate against harmful development and ensure the long-term protection of vital ecosystems.

With unwavering hope, Airlea envisions a future where arts, culture, and environmental education are inseparable, inspiring an eternal flame of creativity and collective action for lasting impact across Canada. Full article: The Starfish Canada