Stay connected--follow us on twitter!
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Can we beat our 2013 Earth Hour savings?
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This is our sixth TDSB Earth Hour. Last year we recorded a 12% reduction--can we do better?
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Preview of Waterlife
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City of Toronto
Community Environment Days
Multiple dates are available starting April 5th to August 2nd on select Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
To find an event near you click here for the schedule.
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Environment Days let you recycle a lot of what can't go in your blue toter (electronics, A-V equipment, household hazardous waste), purchase rain barrels, donate items in good condition for re-use, and pick up free leaf compost for gardens. For more information about Environment Days, click here.
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Science Matters blog | |
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Have you subscribed to David Suzuki's Friday morning " Science Matters'" blog? It's well-positioned with its short end-of-week essay that will deepen your understanding of the complex intertwining of science, economics, politics and other human actions that add up to increasing your ecological literacy.
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Toronto Youth Environment Council
Enviro Leaders meetings are being held at city hall where enviro councils can share ideas and past experience. Deadline to apply is March 25th. To apply and for more information, visit www.torontoyec.com/enviro-leaders
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Learn more about OSEE | |
The Ontario Society for Environmental Education is a professional organization whose members include teachers (K-12), people who teach in outdoor education centres or parks, and others involved in Environmental Education. Read more here. What about your "green conscience"?Check out Franke James's Sparking Your Green Conscience developed for a climate change camp for teachers. It is now available as a teacher resource on the OTF website.
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Monarch migration is the symbol of NAFTA cooperation!
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When the NAFTA treaty was signed by Canada, the U.S., and Mexico 20 years ago, it included an environmental accord to protect migratory species. Prime Minister Harper welcomes re-opening the treaty. Will he re-affirm Canada's wish to protect the Monarch butterfly? Why not write to him?
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Bird talk: Step Outside features black-capped chickadees | |
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Nature's wonders never cease! Did you know that a chickadee's call signals the level of threat the bird perceives? A person rates only a dee-dee, but a Northern Saw-whet owl merits a dee-dee-dee-dee. To learn more, take a quick look at this nature diary entry. Here's a vocabulary for eight more calls.
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Sobering news about Yellowstone Park's wolves Veteran wolf-watcher Katie Lynch reports on the disappearing numbers resulting from brutal murders by hunters. Click here for her latest story.
Teaching and learning in a real-world context:
This is prime material for students of government, statistics, environmental science, or media literacy to examine the biases in the report and in Nikiforuk's analysis.
Check out other Andrew Nikiforuk stories Here's a writer who does his research. The story he tells rarely gets much coverage in the mainstream media. Developing our ecological literacy includes listening critically to all perspectives. For other stories, click here |
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March 22nd is World Water Day | |
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The World Water Development Report, released on 21 March, shows that it is often the same people who lack access to improved water sources and improved sanitation who also lack access to energy. Today those numbers are unacceptable and need urgent attention.
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Shadow of Walkerton? | |
As federal resources for research and monitoring continue to be reduced, is there the shadow of Walkerton lurking, as Dalhousie Professor Thomas Duck argued in a March 20th Toronto Star article?
In Duck's view, these cuts " are so deep that they appear to be designed to break Environment Canada once and for all." Would that matter?
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 | | The brighter the blue the thicker the ice. NASA Feb. 19th |
When you talk about the weather have you tried linking the cold to climate change (often confusingly referred to as global warming)? Many scientists are linking the cold weather to climate change--"in fact, it may be a counterintuitive example of global warming in action". The U.S. Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory predicts that below-normal water levels in the Great Lakes will continue a steady recovery this year thanks
to our below-normal temperatures and record snowfalls.
Widespread ice cover will slow evaporation, with the current 91% ice cover approaching the 1979 record of 95%! The increased ice cover is expected to keep water temperatures cool enough to delay "the next period of heavy water loss to the atmosphere," according to scientist George Leshkevich. The much cooler Great Lakes water will mean slower evaporation and a drier atmosphere, at least in the early summer months. Where does systems thinking about this lead us next?
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The April 15th deadline to complete your certification application is fast approaching!
For schools who have registered to re/certify as an Eco  School the deadline for completing and submitting the online application is Tuesday April 15th, 2014.
***If you do not meet this deadline your school will not be audited this school year. To access the online certification program (from a TDSB networked computer), go to TDSBweb>Services>EcoSchools and click on the apply online link. Then click on "School Certification Application" and select your school. When completing the application it is okay to refer to initiatives that will take place after the deadline, e.g., Earth Week, EcoFairs or spring mulching events to name a few!
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Plan now--platinum requirements are changing
In 2014-15 we will be requiring minimum points in each section to ensure that schools applying for and achieving platinum status consistently reflect the high standard that platinum represents. To participate in the platinum process next year, a school must achieve at least 75% in each section AND a minimum total score of 80 points this year.
For more details click here to see page 6 of the 2013-14 Certification Guide. These new standards will apply to all schools.
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Planet in Focus short film festival (K-8) deadline for submissions is May 2nd
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.6; Section 4, Questions 4.3, 4.4, 4.5
Interested in making films with students wanting to spread their  eco-messages? All schools (K-8) are invited to submit videos with any environmental theme of their choosing. Possible genres include PSAs, live action, drama, comedy, or documentary.
Closing date for submissions is May 2nd. Not all films will be screened at the World Environment Day film gala on June 5th.
For schools who are interested in submitting a film to be considered for the festival please contact Erin Wood. For more details click here.
* Please note that media releases are required for this project.
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Earth Hour in our schools--Friday March 28th 2-3pm
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.6; Section 4, Questions 4.3, 4.5; Section 5, Questions 5.5 and 5.7
Earth Hour in our schools allows students to fulfill EcoSchools expectations and help to educate their community about conserving resources. What an empowering feeling that is--even the youngest student can be part of it! In some schools, students have taken the lead in organizing the campaign.
The underlying goal remains raising awareness about the link between climate change and the unthinking use of resources. Have you tried an Earth Hour Electricity Walk using the EcoSchools lesson plan and PowerPoint presentation? Caretakers play an essential role by shutting off central lights and fans. It reminds us of their important and often unseen work in reducing a school's ecological footprint.
And, don't forget to help Toronto go dark on Saturday, March 29th between 8:30-9:30 pm, when the rest of the world will be turning off its lights! For more ideas go to the global and Canadian Earth Hour websites. |
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Planet in Focus Salon Vert screens Kevin McMahon's Waterlife March 25th
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4
 Follow the epic cascade of the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean through this stunning 109 minute film. From the icy cliffs of Lake Superior and the ornate fountains of Chicago to the sewers of Windsor, this feature-length documentary tells the story of the last great supply (20%) of fresh water on earth. Panel discussion follows.
Time: 7 pm, Tues., March 25th
Location: Art Gallery of Ontario, Jackman Hall, 317 Dundas St. W
Cost: $15 adults; $10 seniors, students. Tickets can be purchased online HERE, or at the box office before the screening.
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Special screenings of Garbage Apr 8th or 10th
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.4 and 4.5
Here's a film to refresh the debate about waste at your school during Earth month. Film-maker and social activist Andrew Nisker 
travelled across North America from classrooms to boardrooms with his message of change about garbage. The film will be followed by a talk and a Q&A session with Nisker, including a lesson plan for educators and a free download of the film for students to take home. Click here for detailed information about this event.
Time: Tuesday, April 8th 9:30 am and 11:00 am
Thursday, April 10th 9:30 am and 11:00 am
Location: Bloor Hot Docs Cinema, 506 Bloor Street W.
Contact: info@takeactionfilms.com
Cost: $7 per student
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EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.4 and 4.5
On Thursday April 24th Planet in Focus will screen environmental films in multiple cities in three provinces.
Choose from these options: 1) The Water Brothers and Green Heroes (Elementary and Junior) or 2) The Clean Bin Project (Junior and Secondary) The Planet in Focus website has information about these films to help you choose the right one for your students.
Time: 10-11:30 am Toronto locations: Scarborough Coliseum or Yonge and Eglinton Silvercity Cost: $8.10 if purchased by April 1stClick here to reserve tickets. |
Clean Toronto Together April 25th
EcoSchools Section 3: Question 3.1; Section 5, Question 5.6
Friday, April 25, 2014, is your opportunity to pitch in and help clean Toronto. Team up with your fellow students and teachers and
clean your school yard or a neighbour park.
New this year! Schools can now register their April 25th event with the City. Click here for the school's registration page.
Please talk to your head caretaker to arrange for gloves and bags. |
David Suzuki Foundation's 30x30 Nature Challenge coming in May
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.6 and 4.7
 Here's an early bird prompt to enter the 30x30 Nature Challenge for the month of May. All it requires is a pledge to get out into nature for 30 minutes a day for the 30 days of May.Registration for the 30x30 Nature Challenge starts April 1st but take a sneak peek at the 30x30 School Kit so you can start discussing and planning your school's engagement.
May be a great project for a student EcoTeam to lead. |
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Secondary student conference May 30th
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.6
Registration deadline: April 4th
This FREE day-long event at the Brick Works, sponsored by Evergreen and the Toronto Youth Environment Council, will provide guest speakers and workshops to promote an environmentally conscious mindset to inspire taking action in daily life. Delicious local food and shuttle bus service to and from the Broadview subway station are included!
Volunteer opportunities: Set-up help, workshop assistants, post-event bloggers. Community involvement hours available. Contact Liz George for more information.
Audience: Secondary students and their teachers
Day and time: Friday, May 30th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
Location: Evergreen Brickworks
Day and time: Friday, May 30th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
To register: Contact Liz George: lgeorge@evergreen.ca or 416-596-1495 x 389 to receive an online registration form. Individual student forms and model releases will be sent upon confirmation. Let Liz know if your school needs additional assistance to attend.
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OSEE Ecolinks conference: "Green Inside, Green Outside" May 9th-10th
EcoSchools Section 4, Questions 4.2-4.7
 This year's OSEE conference features two outstanding keynote speakers. Visual artist Franke James will share her strategies for helping students create art that allows them to share "their green conscience questions and convictions." If her name sounds familiar, it may be because you heard about her May 2013 book Banned on the Hill: A True Story about Dirty Oil and Government Censorship that describes how Canadian bureaucrats tried to silence her because her views on climate change clashed with the Harper government's. For a preview, click on Overview: 6 Tools for Climate Change Art that outlines James's workshop.
Environmental educator, marathoner and storyteller Colin Harris will share his research into how teachers can use compelling outdoor stories as learning opportunities. Click here to read about his non-profit organization Take Me Outside.
An amazing set of workshops will make this a very rich educational event. Read more here.
Conference fee (includes Friday lunch, dinner and Saturday lunch)
Full conference $250
Friday only $175
Saturday only $90
Register at www.osee.ca |
Wind Turbine Virtual Tour is live again!!
 EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.3 and 4.4
One of EcoSchools most ambitious learning tools is once again yours to use! The Wind Turbine Virtual Tour, developed by then-EcoSchools Instructional Leader Steve Bibla, was temporarily "lost" in the shuffle of migrating to our new website. It's a great way to interest students in how electricity is generated by wind right in our city. Developed for Grade 5s, it has been known to interest Grade 9 students and even adults. A cheeky gull named Ringo takes you on the tour. Outstanding illustrations. A companion Grade 5 Teacher's Guide is also available here.
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RBC-Evergreen Watershed Champions Award
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5
Deadline: Friday, April 18th, 2014 at 5 pm
In our October 2013 issue we featured the announcement of this new watershed education award. Submit materials in English or French.
Prizes: Canada-wide--1 for $3500 (K-9); regionally--4 elementary (K-6) $2500;
4 intermediate (7-9) $2500
Resources: The excellent teaching tools page includes teaching strategies, questions to get started, videos, and teacher resources.
Judging criteria is available here. Will your approach to water issues and watershed education put your class or school in the running?
For more information, email waterchamps@evergreen.ca or phone 1-888-426-3138 xH2O (426).
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Teaching with spring in mind--2 short resources
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.2 and 4.4
1) Special Step Outside guide
The weather is well outside normal for this time of year. Here's a very insightful, broad-ranging summary of what's different and some reasons why that will help you and your students talk about spring with greater insight.
2) "Aching cold: How do plants survive it?"
Here's a start:
*Dying back to the underground portions, in herbaceous species like milkweed and goldenrod, avoids much of the desiccation and freeze-thaw cycles that occur above ground
*Having narrow circulatory vessels, to prevent air bubbles from forming in frozen sap and blocking fluid movement
*Dropping leaves before winter, a trait that thousands of deciduous shrubs and trees use to reduce the pressure to draw fluid through their circulatory systems
Read more.
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Resources for digging deeper
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The miracle of nature's interactions:
How wolves change rivers!
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.2 and 4.4
What changes does a re-introduced species make to a given land area? This overview of what has happened in Yellowstone National Park following the re-introduction of wolves after a 70-year absence will dazzle any viewer. The images combined with the description of how species affect one another make this a lesson in ecological
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How Wolves Change Rivers
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literacy that can be absorbed by a student of almost any age (there's a fancy and pleasing scientific name for it--"trophic cascades" in a food chain). Teachers of kindergarten and the early grades will have strategies to slow down this dramatic story through frequent stops and discussion. And what works for the very young might be suitable for older grades too as students dig deeper into the phenomenon being uncovered here. And here's the real test--invite a colleague to take 4:33 of time to watch it with you--that's all, just watch. No need to say a word.
Maybe this is another way we can help to re-direct people's thinking and casual talk.
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Should we care about cuts to Environment Canada?
EcoSchools Section 4, Question 4.5
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Oil sands processing on the Athabasca River. Source The Tyee
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In a March 15th article, award-winning journalist Andrew Nikiforuk lays out an alarming set of statistics as he analyses the gap between what the Government of Canada says it is going to do about environmental protection and what is possible, given the size of the coming cuts. These cuts are outlined in a newly-released 2014/15 report on plans and department priorities. Nikiforuk highlights the size of cuts to the government's three environmental priority areas--the conservation and restoration of landscapes; water and wildlife; information on changing weather patterns and minimizing threats from pollution.
Edmonton water specialist Bill Donahue expressed dismay in his exchange with Nikiforuk: "It is just stunning to see the degree to which they are reducing federal scientific infrastructure and the capacity to measure and monitor the environmental problems we are dealing with."
To read this short article in full, click here
Related stories |
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New size 100% recycled paper now available
EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.9
Many schools now regularly order at  least some 100% recycled 81/2"x11" paper, with approximately 25% of our schools making this their only choice. Our Distribution Centre now stocks 100% recycled 81/2"x14" 100% recycled paper as well. Schools ready to take the next step can order it on SAP.
Paper,*Recycled*Copy 100% 8.5x14 500/Pkg
Material #: 8352
Unit of Measure: PKG Price: $6.91
Our EcoSchools paper calculator tool will help you figure out how much you need to reduce consumption to switch to 100% recycled paper and still stay within budget. |
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Recycling toner cartridges
EcoSchools Section 2.2, Question 2.2.7
Word has reached us that recyclable toner cartridges are making their way into the garbage. Valuable material in the cartridges can be reclaimed and re-used. Every bit of "stuff" we use costs a little bit of the Earth. Don't waste it!
EcoSchools Empty Toner and Recycling tool has all the details you need to complete this task.
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Stories from our schools--new campaign
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Protect against toxic nuclear waste burial near Lake Huron
 Join powerful RH King student campaign EcoSchools Section 1, Question 1.6; Section 4, Question 4.5; Section 5, Questions 5.6 The Ontario Power Generation is proposing to bury nuclear waste 600m deep into the Canadian Shield, a kilometer away from Lake Huron. RH King Academy student Fateha Hossain has organized a TDSB student campaign to ask the OPG to reconsider its proposal, believing that the current plan is a huge risk to the drinking water of the forty million people depending on the Great Lakes. The King Environment Council Save the Great Lakes committee is asking students right across the city to sign the petition asking the OPG to reconsider. PLEASE look at the short 15-slide PowerPoint presentation; it has all the carefully researched facts you need, including possible alternative solutions to burying the waste. It makes a very persuasive case for action. Offer it and copies of the petition to your environment club. So much impressive research has already been done. The next step is gathering signatures and writing letters, and you can help.
In the words of Hossain, "we want to inspire youth to be citizens of action rather than speculation."
START NOW! For more information, contact savethegreatlakes@hotmail.com or teacher-advisor Taina Kanerva. |
Awards for outstanding teachers--applications due March 28th
The Laboratory School at the Dr. Eric Jackman Institute of Child Study
 Edward Burtynsky Award for Teaching Excellence in Environmental Education
This award recognizes outstanding elementary teachers who create learning opportunities that inspire students to become environmentally conscious, responsible world citizens who act to protect and restore the environment. One first place and two runners-up prizes will be awarded. Prizes include funds for Environmental Education and books signed by Edward Burtynsky.
Owlkids Award: Inspiring environmental inquiry using children's literature
Teachers and teacher-librarians are invited to apply. You will be asked to highlight an exemplary book that you used to spark critical thinking and inquiry into an environmental topic.
For more information on these awards and to access the applications, visit naturalcuriosity.ca and click on awards.
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From the editors' desk....
Worth talking about?
The free flow of ideas is said to be the lifeblood of democracy. Perhaps, as responsible citizens, learning enough to talk knowledgeably about environmental issues with colleagues and friends is as powerful as any single act we can perform.
This month and last the newsletter devoted space to the "polar vortex" phenomenon, piggybacking on the new media buzzword for talking about the extreme cold. A couple of us here actually shared the explanation offered by Steve Bibla in the January-February issue, with good results in spite of being awkward about it--as with anything one hasn't done before!
Another flurry of reports about government muzzling of scientists (see the October 2013 issue, last story) and now cuts to Environment Canada's budget (see "Resources for digging deeper," above) provide dismaying news describing invasive government action on the environmental file. These kinds of stories can improve ecological literacy. We don't have to be experts to talk with colleagues and friends. But first we do need to be informed to improve our own understanding.
As we are accustomed to saying to our students, we each need to decide what we can do to make a difference.
Best wishes,
Eleanor Dudar, Jenn Vetter, Diana Suzuki
P.S. Meanwhile, we all have real Spring to look forward to (not the official one, already here!). As Jenn said, "this year it will be a dramatic seasonal change." A good one--let's hope!
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