Community Projects // Civic Engagement

One of the best things you can do to keep Lethbridge green is to take action, either by supporting or initiating a community project, or by making your voice heard at City Hall. It might seem intimidating to beautify your local park or to share your opinion on municipal government plans or projects, so we have some tips:

Community Projects:

Join a Project

One of the easiest ways to take action is to participate in existing programs and projects in Lethbridge. Here are a few that are coming up in the next few months.

Photo courtesy City of Lethbridge

Adopt-a-Park: Adopt your favourite park, playground, shrub bed, green strip or cemetery. This volunteer opportunity allows you to enjoy the outdoors and set your own schedule. Hosted by City of Lethbridge Parks.

Best Front Forward is a beautification and biodiversity enhancement campaign for front-yards, running March-October 2025. Hosted by the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

Lethbridge Verdant Quest: Lethbridge Verdant Quest is an individual or team challenge that runs from April to July, with 4 badges available to be earned for completing challenge components. Hosted by the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.

Reuse Rendezvous: Reuse Rendezvous is a citywide freecycling event that diverts gently-used items from our landfill. Held twice a year, Reuse Rendezvous will return on May 10, 2025. Hosted by Environment Lethbridge.

For additional programs and events happening in Lethbridge, please visit the relevant pages on this website.

Start a Project

Maybe you want to take a bigger step and start your own project. Here are some tips to help you get started.

Backyard Projects:

Whether you want to xeriscape your front yard or install a rain barrel, here are some questions to consider for your backyard project:

  • What do you want to achieve and why?
  • What are the barriers that are stopping you from taking action? How can you overcome them?
  • Is there anyone who is able to help with resources or advice?
  • Can you find an accountability buddy who can help you stay on track?
  • How will you celebrate your success?

Community Projects:

From litter clean-ups to community gardens, there are dozens of ways you can work to improve sustainability in your neighbourhood. Try these steps to get started:

  • Get people together – community projects work best when people come together to make them happen
  • Listen to everyone’s ideas – you might have an idea of what you want to accomplish, but your friends and neighbours might have ways to make it even better
  • Partner with an organization – you might find that your initiative needs some structure (to get donations, for example). Partnering with an existing organization like your neighbourhood association or if necessary, create your own society.
  • Find out if you need permission – projects in City of Lethbridge Parks will need permission from the Parks department before you can go ahead. Contact 311 and they can direct you to the right person.
  • Figure out what resources you need – the budget and resources you need will depend on the type of project you want to do. Take the time at the start of the project to figure this out so you won’t be caught short.
  • Ask for help – many of Lethbridge’s local organizations and departments will be happy to help you put a plan together.

Civic Engagement:

Parks. Transit. Bike lanes. Organic waste collection. Water. Climate adaptation. One way or another, each of these is the responsiblity of our municipal government. Whether it’s ensuring our neighbourhoods have parks and urban trees or our cycling network is expanded and our garbage is collected, all of these are legislated through municipal plans and bylaws. If we want to change them – to build more bike lanes, for example or to set targets for water conservation in the summer, we need to ensure that our elected officials and administration know what we want.

Civic engagement isn’t just about voting (although voting is very important, don’t forget to register to vote). Here are some ways you can get engaged and make Lethbridge the best green city it can be.

  • Stay informed. Visit the News section of our website to learn about some of the current issues in Lethbridge.
  • Share your ideas. Start a conversation with your friends and family about what green initiatives you’d like to see in Lethbridge. The City of Lethbridge also provides many opportunities for residents to provide feedback on specific projects and initiatives through their Get Involved website.
  • Volunteer. There are numerous opportunities to get involved with different organizations and projects in Lethbridge. Visit our Opportunities page to see who needs help today.
  • Speak to City Council. Lethbridge City Council holds regular meetings of its Standing Policy Committees. Any resident is welcome to speak for five minutes on any agenda topic. All you have to do is show up.
  • Vote. The next municipal election will be on October 20, 2025. This is your chance to shape the future of Lethbridge for the next 4 years.