Accueil > Quoi de neuf?

28 sept. 2006

Going Green...in Calgary

Earlier in September YIP Canada reported on the environmental forum planned by several BC youth advisory councils (YACs) for October 2006. As part of that report, Barbara Oates McMillan invited other Canadian YACs to tell us about their support of green projects. Below Ros Doi of the Calgary Youth Foundation shares Calgary's story:

The Jack Leslie Youth Environment Grant is a creative partnership between Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, The City of Calgary, and the Parks Foundation. The grant recognizes the positive impact Jack Leslie, former Mayor of Calgary, made to the city and the environment. Jack Leslie started the parks and pathways along the Bow River and Prince's Island Park, developed Nose Hill and Confederation Parks, and proclaimed Saturday, May 18th, 1968 as the first annual Arbor Day.

Initiated by two programs of Child and Youth Friendly Calgary, the Mayor's Youth Council and the Calgary Youth Foundation, The Jack Leslie Youth Environment Grant recognizes his achievements and encourages youth in Calgary to continue with his efforts. The Jack Leslie Youth Environment Grant is available annually each spring prior to the Mayor's Environment Expo in June.

2005 and 2006 Jack Leslie Youth Environment Grants

Youth Volunteer Corps Clubs in School, Recycle Everyday at Pearson ($1,000)

This project's objective is to increase the level of recycling in the Lester B. Pearson High School. The Youth Volunteer Corps Club at Lester B. Pearson High School plans to increase the amount of recycling containers in their school, placing them in strategic locations around the school to encourage their fellow students to recycle more.

The project will commence in September 2006 with the Terry Fox Run where students will be provided with a bottle of water and the YVC club intends to collect every bottle back for recycling. Eventually the goal is to expand the Recycle Everyday Program to include paper and composting the waste from the cafeteria and foods programs within the school.

STELLY, Stephanie Murray and Elly Evans, Riverside Reforestation ($1,000)

Stephanie and Elly, STELLY, originated the idea for the "Riverside Reforestation" project after attending Alberta's Environmental Education Summit earlier this year. In conjunction with RiverWatch, STELLY and a group of elementary school children will take part in a single day tree planting expedition along the Calgary Bow River.

The RiverWatch organization will help guide the trip, as well as instruct participants in the proper tree planting method, in an approved area on the banks of the Bow River. There is the potential for RiverWatch to match the Jack Leslie Grant in terms of supplies and rafts, as well!

Stephanie Delaney, Solar Microwave ($480)

Stephanie Delaney intends to build a solar powered microwave for her school, St. Joseph School. Not only will this fulfill a personal goal of hers, but it will also provide an environmentally friendly way for students to heat their food.

Stephanie has done research on how to develop such a microwave, and this grant will allow her to do so. She is receiving support from her science teacher Mrs. Scheyen to help develop the microwave.

Jack James High School Leadership Students, Jack James Recycling Project ($1,000)

Jack James High School currently has a recycling program, but the leadership students did not feel that it is adequate. They want to use the money from the Jack Leslie Grant to enhance their current recycling program by purchasing more recycling bins, including one for the staff room. A large pushcart will also be purchased so that the students can collect all the recycling bins and transfer them to the large recycling bin in the parking lot.

Queen Elizabeth Jr./Sr.High Environmental Club, Greening Our Communities: Composting in the School ($1,000)

The Environmental Club at Queen Elizabeth Jr./Sr. High want to start a composting program. What's unique about this is that they want to start it at Queen Elizabeth Elementary before they do it at their own school. They plan to develop materials to teach the elementary students about composting, and why it is important.

Most of the money from the grant will be used to buy materials for the composting (bins, filters, tools, etc.) and a small portion will be for the creation of education materials.

 

Return to YIP Going Green main page