Calgary Youth Honoured with 2026 Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grants

CALGARY — Three youth-led initiatives focused on protecting and improving the local environment have been recognized with the 2026 Jack Leslie Youth Environmental Grants. The recipients are being celebrated at a virtual award ceremony attended by students, teachers, families and community partners.

The annual grant program provides up to $2,500 in funding to support projects designed and led by young people that make a visible environmental impact in Calgary. This year, two group projects each received $1,000, while one individual student project was awarded $500.

The 2026 recipients include:

• Woodlands School – “Outdoor Learning Commons Land Stewardship Garden”
  Grade 6 students will develop a native pollinator garden and outdoor learning space aimed at strengthening biodiversity and environmental education within their school community.
• Young Hearts Old Souls Canadian Youth Ltd. – “Beyond the Cleanup: Youth-Led Habitat Restoration & Environmental Learning Project”
  Youth participants will organize and lead habitat restoration efforts in a southwest Calgary park or green space. The project builds on previous pathway and river cleanup work, expanding into broader environmental learning and stewardship activities.
• Kamila, Battalion Park School – “The Little Bee Helper’s Pollinator Pit Stop”
  An elementary student will create and distribute wildflower seed bombs — described as “bee food balls” — to encourage pollinator-friendly planting in neighbourhoods across the city.

“These projects show how creative youth can be in helping preserve the natural environment we all enjoy when you provide support and a platform,” said Evangeline Eldridge, Public Program Coordinator for Climate & Environment. “From planting native pollinator gardens and restoring habitat to sharing seed bombs that help bring native wildflowers into neighbourhoods, these students are taking real action in their schools and communities.”

Recipients were selected by the Calgary Youth Foundation Committee at Youth Central, with support from partners including The City of Calgary, Parks Foundation Calgary, and the Jack Leslie family.

The grant was established in 2004 to honour the legacy of former Calgary mayor Jack Leslie, who was known for championing parks and natural areas throughout the city. The program continues to encourage youth to lead hands-on environmental projects that strengthen Calgary’s green spaces and promote sustainability in local communities.