The annual Mayor’s Environment Expo is a marquee event that goes far beyond a simple eco-campaign. It’s a dynamic platform where Calgary’s next generation steps up to become the genuine architects of a greener, more sustainable future. For more insights into calgary-name and the city’s civic initiatives, check out our latest coverage.
A Legacy Takes Root
The Expo’s story began with a forward-thinking move by former Calgary Mayor Al Duerr, launching the first exhibition way back in 1989. This groundbreaking event has been a city staple ever since.
Duerr, who initially served as an Alderman, first secured the mayoral seat in 1989. He went on to win re-election in 1992, 1995, and 1998, before concluding his tenure ahead of the 2001 elections. Interestingly, Duerr continues his commitment to clean technology today as the CEO of General Magnetic Canada Inc., a firm dedicated to clean tech within the oil and gas industry.
The 2014 Expo marked a significant milestone: its 25th anniversary. Mayor Duerr returned to officially open the proceedings, offering a heartfelt welcome to the students, parents, and educators gathered. He expressed deep pride in watching his initial initiative flourish. A particularly touching moment was meeting former attendees from the 1989 Expo who had grown into successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers. In his 2014 address, he observed:
«They grew up learning to protect the environment in their daily lives, and as adults, they can teach that behaviour to their own children.»
That sentiment—the idea of an enduring environmental legacy—is as critical today as it was then.
Since its launch, more than 50,000 participants have gained essential knowledge through highly engaging, interactive exhibits, displays, and workshops. The core mission of the Mayor’s Environment Expo is crystal clear: to cultivate a generation of well-informed environmental experts who will actively practice and advocate for ecological sustainability far beyond the classroom walls.
Empowering Future Stewards
At its heart, the Mayor’s Environment Expo was established to actively involve and empower young people, from kindergartners to Grade 12 students. The Expo delivers a powerful mix of interactive displays, targeted educational sessions, and hands-on workshops that capture the imagination.
This annual gathering boosts awareness of both local and worldwide environmental issues, prompting thousands of Calgary youth to move from knowledge to tangible results. It perfectly illustrates how passion and learning can be converted into practical projects and lasting green habits—ranging from initiatives to slash greenhouse gas emissions to efforts to protect local rivers and watersheds.
The 2014 silver anniversary was particularly significant, bringing together three Calgary mayors: Al Duerr, the 35th Mayor Dave Bronconnier, and the 36th Mayor, Naheed Nenshi, whose influential tenure lasted from 2010 to 2021. All three shared the stage to welcome the attendees.
The Mayor’s Environment Expo remains Calgary’s definitive celebration of National Environment Week. Each year introduces a fresh theme; for example, “The Difference a Generation Makes” in 2014 emphasized the critical role of environmental literacy among young Calgarians.
Just before one of the official openings, former Mayor Naheed Nenshi connected with young Eco-Leaders, zeroing in on their inventive projects. Their work spanned crucial topics: conserving water, minimizing waste, and promoting eco-friendly transit. This dedication was evident in the six-month “Eco-Leaders” program, which saw participation from 20 Calgary schools.
Year after year, the Mayor’s Environment Expo proves that the energy and ingenuity of youth are absolutely essential to fostering a healthier, more resilient urban centre.
Partnering for EcoSchools
The City of Calgary collaborates closely with the Alberta Council for Environmental Education (ACEE) to roll out the “EcoSchools” program. The initiative is designed to educate students—from kindergarten all the way through Grade 12—on critical climate change issues and environmental stewardship.
As a provincial leader in eco-education, ACEE works to upgrade curricula, supply educators with vital resources, and empower youth to take on leadership roles in environmental protection. In Alberta, ACEE champions the Alberta Green Schools initiative, which assists schools in elevating students’ literacy in ecology, energy conservation, and climate science.
Nationally, the program is steered by EcoSchools Canada. It operates as part of the worldwide Eco-Schools network under the UN-supported Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). This network provides a recognized certification system, acknowledging and motivating schools for their concrete environmental work and leadership efforts.
Through practical steps like reducing waste, saving energy, and adopting ecological learning strategies, the EcoSchools program actively helps institutions develop environmental leaders, shrink their ecological footprint, and build lasting, sustainable school communities.
The Atmosphere and Impact
To truly grasp the unique spirit of the event, you can watch the recording of the 2025 Mayor’s Environment Expo Opening Ceremonies:
The Expo boasted over 35 interactive exhibits, more than 20 virtual displays, and 100 dedicated in-person workshops, all focused on mobilizing youth to protect the environment. Recordings of online sessions are conveniently available on The City’s YouTube channel.
Here’s a snapshot of the 2025 impact:
- Over 200 sessions were delivered across 70 schools and home-schooling groups, including environmental education workshops and classes.
- More than 100 sessions were held for 2,000 students, teachers, and chaperones who attended the physical exhibition. These took place at landmark locations such as the Calgary Municipal Building, the Glenbow Museum, the Central Library, the SAPL Urban Building Design Lab at the University of Calgary, and the Platform Innovation Centre.
- The event collaborated with 35+ organizations, partners, and city business units. Children from kindergarten to Grade 12 explored local environmental issues and developed solutions in both online and offline formats.
- Over 3,800 students and teachers across 67 classes registered for the week’s online learning sessions (held June 2nd to 6th).
These figures represent countless individual efforts and contributions. For instance, St. Pius X School, part of the Calgary Catholic School District, has been a consistent participant since 2015. Grade 3 teacher Sophie Mitchell highlighted their work with pollinators, noting that students built upon earlier efforts as one of Calgary’s seven certified Bee City Schools.
Showcasing Ingenuity
Calgary’s first female Mayor, Jyoti Gondek, observed in 2025 that the quality of the projects presented had seen a substantial boost over the previous four years. She specifically pointed out a couple of standout examples:
- A section dedicated to innovative composting methods in urban environments using vermicomposting (red worms).
- A hands-on bicycle exhibit where riders could pedal to test if they could generate enough power to illuminate an object.
The exhibition overflowed with creative work focused on planetary protection, leaving Mayor Gondek thoroughly impressed by the sheer enthusiasm of the young participants.
From its humble beginnings, the Expo has undergone a major expansion in scope. Crucially, the calibre of student work has dramatically increased. While the initial focus was largely confined to concepts of reduce, reuse, and recycle, today’s youth have internalized those ideas. The spotlight has shifted to higher-level, community-focused science projects designed to assist researchers worldwide.
This event’s importance cannot be overstated. We close with the inspiring words of Naheed Nenshi’s enduring legacy from 2014. He stressed that everyone has the capacity to initiate change. He implored attendees to commit to at least one daily action to make Calgary a better place, suggesting starting with something as simple as planting a backyard garden.