St. Richard | Grade 4

Conservation Initiative: GOOS Paper Bins
EcoClub created a presentation for all students about the importance of trees. They also explained to students that trees are required in the paper-making process. Students in all classes noted that they saw a lot of paper waste when drawing or showing their work. They noticed that paper wasn't being used to its full potential. EcoClub took this on and created Good On One Side (GOOS) paper bins for each classroom. If a paper still had a blank side, it could be recycled and used again. All teachers reported that students were very good at using the bin and reminding their friends to use it if they forgot.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Union 52 Benevolent Society.

St. Richard | Grade 5

Conservation Initiative: Waste Free Lunch Events

After seeing the Eco Club's impact in reducing single-use plastics, we wanted to do more to decrease the garbage our school produces daily. With some observations and research, the students noticed that most of the trash in the bins was from snacks and lunch. Most of the school's waste was made by food wrappers. Eco Club hosted a waste-free lunch event. Students created posters, talked to their classes, and hosted our first annual Waste-Free lunch day. Students brought in lunches in reusable containers and brought utensils from home. Classes were challenged to have empty trash cans at the end of the day.

THIS CONSERVATION PROJECT WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY
UNION 52 BENEVOLENT SOCIETY.

Kisêwâtisiwin School Junior High

Conservation Initiative: School Yard Clean-up

Outdoor Education students from Kisêwâtisiwin School would like to thank those responsible for helping fund our Valley Zoo field trip. With this bursary, students were able to expand on their programming of Endangered Species and experience it in a different environment.

Our students eat outside for lunch, and there is usually a mess left over. I have used each class at least once thus far this school year to help clean the field. This was especially helpful when we had other schools visit for home soccer games. Our students agreed our field was 'embarrassing' to look at. Here are just some of our students helping clean the environment and get our field ready for the upcoming school soccer season.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Lead Shot Consultants Inc.

Alex Janvier Grade 5 Students

Conservation Initiative: Marker Recycling Program

The excitement was palpable in Room 135 as students examined the map of the Edmonton Valley Zoo, and learned what animals they would be seeing the next day on their field trip. Most had never been to the zoo, and those that had enthusiastically shared their experiences with their classmates. When I learned of the Pay It Forward program, without hesitation I applied for a subsidy that would allow me to take my grade 5 science classes to the zoo and participate in a program.

As their science teacher, part of what I hope to teach my students is a strong sense of stewardship and reciprocity with the natural world. It’s hard to care about things you don’t understand, or know about. I signed them up for the Endangered Animals program in order to broaden their understanding of species at risk, and extend awareness of issues facing the natural world. In our classroom, we dove into factors affecting species’ survival rates, learned about examples of animals facing extinction, and explored what could be done to help them.

The combination of education and awareness, and participation in a conservation project mobilized students into action. They initiated a marker recycling project within the school. Students created posters, made school-wide announcements, and set up recycling bins around the school to collect dried up writing utensils to prevent them from ending up in a landfill. Additionally, students noticed that the paper recycling in the school was frequently being contaminated with non-recyclable material, preventing the paper from being recycled. They embarked on an education campaign around the school to teach students and staff how to properly dispose of paper and garbage to maximize the amount of recycling. These improved recycling efforts will continue into the next school year and beyond. Although worthy, without the impetus of the Pay It Forward program, it is unlikely that we would have independently participated in a conservation program within our school community.

This Conservation Project was made possible by
Doug Warren.