Calgary,
07
June
2017
|
12:00
America/Denver

Calgary youth present environmental innovations to Mayor Nenshi at 28th annual Mayor's Environment Expo

Mayor Naheed Nenshi toured eco-exhibits that lined the walls of the City Hall Atrium this week, as elementary, junior high, and high school students proudly showcased their environmental achievements at the 28th Annual Mayor’s Environment Expo.

The youth Eco-Leaders explained how their projects address real-life environmental issues and the impacts they have at home, school or in their community. Thirty-two schools participated in The City’s six-month Eco-Leaders program that yielded projects like growing plants for healing and reducing pests without the use of pesticides.

“The Mayor’s Environment Expo reminds us that we’re never too young to start reducing our impact on the environment,” said Mayor Nenshi. “I am inspired by the hard work and innovation of these youth; they are amazing environmental stewards in their schools and communities.”

Held in tandem with the Expo is the Mayor’s Environment Youth Photography Contest. This year’s winner is Patrick Milner, who received first place with his photo in the “Nature Aging” category.

The City also announced winners of its annual youth environmental awards program - the Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grants:

  • Arbour Lake School: Students at Arbour Lake School are creating a functional and sustainable living wall. They hope to teach fellow students how to lead sustainable lives and demonstrate the importance of knowing how to grow your own food and where it comes from. The living wall will incorporate irrigation, aquaponics, and solar panel systems to create a sustainable indoor food system. This concept is especially valuable for cooler climates like Calgary where the outdoor growing season is limited.
  • Hillhurst School: Students at the Hillhurst School are researching the importance of bees and the detriment that pesticides have on the bee population. Through education, they are hoping to create a bee-friendly community in Hillhurst and beyond. They are currently growing plants to sell at the upcoming Hillhurst/Sunnyside farmers’ market, along with “bee baskets” containing bee information sheets. They will distribute these baskets at the upcoming Mayor's Environment Expo in hopes of growing the movement to protect native bees in Calgary.

Over its 28-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 who practice and promote environmental sustainability beyond the classroom.

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Please see the attached backgrounder for more details.

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