Calgary,
04
June
2024
|
13:15
America/Denver

Calgary students lead the conversation on sustainability at the 35th annual Mayor’s Environment Expo

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Each year at City Hall, students from Calgary schools including, Eco-Schools, host exhibits and attend workshops with professionals, where they learn about and lead the conversation on conserving and protecting Calgary’s natural environment. More than 35 interactive exhibits, 25 virtual workshops and 100 in-person workshops are offered throughout the week. Sessions are designed to educate and empower students to take their learning beyond the classroom – and ultimately, to become the environmental stewards of tomorrow.

Over its history, the Mayor’s Environment Expo has been a space that empowers and educates youth to practice and promote environmental actions that can shape a more sustainable city. Now in its 35th year, thousands of elementary, junior high and high school students participate annually in workshops, presentations and performances to share and encourage climate action. Additionally, EcoSchools students display their environmental action projects and educate attendees about the importance of this work in Calgary.

Today, Mayor Gondek visited the eco-exhibits and experienced the passion and commitment Calgary students and local organizations have for preserving and protecting the natural environment. “The Mayor’s Environment Expo is an opportunity to bring the community together to recognize and celebrate the incredible work being done by Calgary students and local organizations to protect our environment,” said Mayor Gondek. “These students’ environmental projects encourage us all to do what we can to protect and improve the local environment and contribute to creating a more sustainable city.”

The Expo is held during Canadian Environment Week, which celebrates Canada’s environmental accomplishments and encourages Canadians to contribute to conserving and protecting their environment. This year’s event runs June 3 to 6, 2024.

“I was so excited to see how many local resources there are to help us with the work of providing learning experiences on environmental education. I was able to connect with a variety of organizations that will help me bring even more meaningful opportunities to my students.” said a participating teacher from last year’s Expo.

With schools playing such a vital role in the event's success, the partnership with the EcoSchools Canada program and the Alberta Council for Environmental Education provides opportunities to support classrooms in their efforts to learn about environmental sustainability and climate solutions. The global, award-winning certification framework has been providing independent reporting and recognition for schools and environmental education centres since 2005. 

For schools who participate in the EcoSchools program, The City provides free transportation to the event.

Here are just a few of the many notable projects being showcased at The Expo from participating EcoSchools here in Calgary:

  • Westmount Charter School’s elementary campus boasts a thriving garden with species native to Alberta and designed to support pollinators, with guidance from Blackfoot Elder Adrian Wolfleg. As part of their outdoor classroom, the garden provides hands-on learning experiences about pollinators, native plants and ecosystem stewardship. Plans to expand the garden to combat erosion and enhance tree health are underway for the spring.
  • Buffalo Rubbing Stone School is partnering with Thimbleberry Learning to train their teachers and staff in engaging with outdoor learning during the winter. Aligned with their commitment to Truth and Reconciliation, they aim to integrate learning from the land in all seasons, including the colder months. While they're skilled at outdoor education in favorable weather, they hope to become more equipped with strategies to effectively plan and engage students even in snowy and cold conditions.
  • St. Pius X School’s Eco-Leaders program empowers students to influence their communities towards sustainable practices, extending environmental education beyond the curriculum. The school proudly holds the Bee School designation, and they are expanding initiatives such as vermicomposting, indoor gardening and no-idling campaigns. Through hands-on experiences and community engagement, the school fosters a sense of responsibility for environmental stewardship among students.

For more information on the Mayor’s Environment Expo, visit calgary.ca/mee.

The 36th Mayor’s Environment Expo 2025
Teachers can sign up for the Expo’s mailing list to get notified when next year’s registration goes live, which we expect to be April 2025.