Mayor recognizes environmental innovation by Calgary youth

Mayor Naheed Nenshi toured eco-exhibits that lined the walls of the City Hall Atrium this week, as elementary and junior high school students proudly showcased their environmental achievements at the 27th Annual Mayor’s Environmental Expo. The youth Eco-Leaders explained how their projects address real-life environmental problems and the impacts they have at home, school or in their community. Twenty-four schools participated in The City’s six-month Eco-Leaders program that yielded projects like green school commuting hubs and an indoor garden wellness space. “The Mayor’s Environment Expo reminds us that we all have the power to make change,” said Mayor Nenshi. “All Calgarians, no matter their age, have a role to play in protecting the rivers, the green spaces and the natural beauty in this city, and I am inspired by the hard work and innovation of this next generation of environmental stewards.” The City also announced winners of its annual youth environmental awards program - the Jack Leslie Youth Environment Grants: · John G. Diefenbaker High School: The school’s environmental club, the Green Chiefs, will use their grant to design and build a school garden. Since the school was built on Treaty 7 land, the students will incorporate local First Nations elements. The group received a Blackfoot name for their garden project, “iittaa’saamskop” (pronounced: it - a – sam – sko – peh) meaning Place of Medicine. · St. Joseph School: In order to help reduce the amount of waste being directed from their school into the landfill, students identified composting as a great way to minimize their school’s environmental footprint. The students at St. Joseph will use their grant to purchase materials and implement their plan to compost approximately 2,500 paper towels from their school, diverting them from the landfill. Also, the winner of the Mayor’s Environment Youth Photography Contest is Brandon Gill of Western Canada High School. Brandon received first place with his photo in the “Green House Gasses” category. Over its 27-year history, the Expo has educated more than 55,000 young people through interactive exhibits, displays and workshops. The Expo mandate is to develop well-educated environmental stewards that practice and promote environmental sustainability beyond the classroom.