April 11, 2025
CPAWS Litter Challenge 2025
CPAWS Manitoba Team
Looking for a way to connect your students to the environment? Try the CPAWS Litter Challenge!
Every year at CPAWS Manitoba, we run a litter cleanup challenge for youth groups and classrooms to clean up their schoolyards and communities. This is a way for children to get outside, work together, practice environmental stewardship in their community and beautify their neighbourhood. In a world with eco-anxiety, educators need to provide actionable steps that students can engage in that leave them feeling good about their contributions!
Since 2021, 2400 students and children have participated in the challenge, picking up thousands of litter and helping beautify our green spaces. In fall 2024, 262 students aged 7-18 participated in our Litter Challenge and helped make a difference in their communities.
The best time to clean up litter is in the spring after the snow melts. Get outside this spring and do something great for your community!
What’s New in 2025?
This year, we have partnered with Take Pride Winnipeg to provide cleanup help and to ensure everyone can participate safely. If you are looking to have gloves and bags delivered to your school, fill out this form, and one of our awesome volunteers will deliver before your litter pickup date! (Deliveries are within Winnipeg city limits ONLY).
We made connecting to the classroom easier than ever! Our CPAWS Manitoba staff created an educational video about litter and the importance of cleaning up. In a short, engaging 10 minutes, students are taught about what litter is, where it comes from, and how it could impact wildlife. We include guiding questions and breaks for educators to pause the video and engage in a discussion with their class.
Before watching the video, we encourage you to have a brainstorming session with your class/group asking the following questions.
- What is litter?
- Who is responsible for cleaning up litter?
- What is the impact of litter on the environment, wildlife, and water?
- How could litter with chemicals affect the environment?
- How could tiny litter like rubber bands and fishing lines affect the environment?
- What is decomposition?
- What are microplastics?
- How can you help and make a difference in your community?
Watch the video to learn more about the above topics and the answers to their questions!
How to Participate:
Visit here for contest details.
Summary
Thanks for reading and learning about the importance of litter. When we throw trash in the right place and help clean up, we’re making the world a better, cleaner place for everyone. You might be small, but your actions can make a big difference! Whether it’s picking up after ourselves, spreading awareness, or supporting local cleanup efforts, we all have a role to play in keeping our surroundings clean and safe. Let’s continue to be part of the solution, one step at a time.