Many young people care about environmental issues but lack access to hands-on learning and real opportunities to take action. Barriers like cost, transportation, and limited exposure to conservation careers can make it difficult for youth to turn that interest into meaningful involvement.
The Conservation Champions Club, led by the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, brings together youth aged 14 to 17 for a year-long program that blends online learning with field experiences across southern Alberta. Participants explore conservation topics through interactive lessons, then apply what they’ve learned through activities like habitat restoration, wildlife stewardship, and ecological monitoring. Working in small groups, they design and lead their own conservation projects and share their ideas with the public.
Youth leave the program with the confidence, skills, and experience to take action in their communities, shaping how environmental stewardship shows up in everyday life.
