Get local, real, and personal with Goa's Canopy by the Coast

Sometimes, ideas move quietly, even before you give them a name. That’s exactly how the story of Canopy by the Coast began. Though it officially registered in August 2024, the seeds were sown long before that on muddy trails, quiet mangrove walks and long conversations about nature with friends, mentors and nature enthusiasts.

The idea, as many meaningful things do, took root slowly. “We were already doing nature walks, outreach and marine sessions long before we gave it a name. Canopy by the Coast was born out of that lived experience and out of a shared belief that education, especially about nature, should feel alive,” says Nester Brian Fernandes, a Marine Biologist & Ecologist and Founder of Canopy by the Coast.

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Nester was inspired by Kishore Shrikande, a wildlife trekker, biologist and friend who walks the wild with curiosity and care. Encouraged by Kishore and other friends, Nester found confidence to dream big and build something that could blend education, experience, and income while staying rooted in ethics.

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EVERY STEP OPENS A NEW LENS

“Canopy by the Coast is not just about sightseeing, we’re about understanding and learning through exposure. We blend the beauty of nature with storytelling, science and culture, so that people walk away not just with good photos, but with new perspectives,” Nester explains.

With a deep focus on nature and education, many of their trails are designed to make people ask questions, reflect and find their own relationship with the natural world. “Whether it’s exploring how saltwater intrudes into groundwater or talking about traditional fishing practices, we keep it local, real, and personal,” he adds.

Nester Brian Fernandes, Founder of Canopy by the CoastWe blend the beauty of nature with storytelling, science and culture, so that people walk away not just with good photos, but with new perspectives

Moreover, Canopy by the Coast also works actively with communities that usually don’t get access to nature education. It conducts one-off sessions with under-resourced schools, or open up spaces for kids who may not otherwise get to see a lot of these places up close.

“Conservation starts at home, and our programmes are built to help people feel that even small actions matter because they truly do,” says Nester, who describes the journey as being both humbling and exciting in equal parts.

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FINDING JOY ALONG

“There are many moments that stay with us. Once a group of restless school students, who came in expecting a routine environmental awareness lecture, ended up having a deep discussion about groundwater salinity, coastaldevelopment, and interlinked ecosystems. They left with more questions than answers which is the best kind of learning,” he recollects.

“During a walk in the mangroves with some youngsters, a visitor said they felt ‘peaceful’ for the first time in weeks. Sometimes, it’s not about knowledge but what nature restores in us,” adds Nester. He is humbled by learning about people, ecosystems, and at the same time running a business. For him, more than anything, it is about creating space for connection.

MORE THAN A WALK: Every step will leave you wiser, not just inspired.

For Canopy by the Coast, success is found in the stories shared, questions asked and the quiet realisations that linger long after the walks end.

Whether its people saying, “I never knew a mangrove forest could be this beautiful” or “I’ll never collect shells again”. Or the quiet “wow” from someone who’s seeing a mudskipper in the mud for the first time. These moments of wonder are their true success. Profit matters, but making a lasting impact matters more.

Goa’s biodiversity, its mangroves, plateaus, wetlands, forests, and coastlines deserve deeper respect and more voices speaking up for it.

GROWING WITH PURPOSE

“Conservation doesn’t begin in a forest or with policy, it begins with how we live, what we notice, and how we care. It starts with you. Whether you’re a schoolchild, an educator, a parent, or a CEO, everyone has the power to protect, advocate, and learn. It’s never too late to begin,” says Nester with a clear message and purpose.

“For the future, the aim is to grow, without losing heart, reach more schools, more small towns, and more people. We want to build programmes across India, but keep Goa at the heart of it because we’ve seen how much is changing here, and how quickly,” he adds.

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“Goa’s biodiversity, its mangroves, plateaus, wetlands, forests, and coastlines deserve deeper respect and more voices speaking up for it. We want to create programmes rooted in nature, historyand culture that invite people to slow down, reflect, and reconnect,” shares Nester. Moving forward, he envisions a diverse team to carry this work forward with inclusion, ethics, and joy at its core.

(Want to explore Canopy by the Coast’s trails? Watch this space for the next article to learn about their walks and programmes and how they connect people with Goa’s biodiversity)