Author: WWF Schools

STUDENTS GET TOGETHER TO REBUILD BIRD HABITAT

Posted on by WWF Schools

Students at Adam Robertson Elementary had the opportunity to turn their bi-weekly visits to a local wetland into a habitat restoration project for native birds. After noticing the swallow nesting boxes on site were weathered and falling down, the class partnered with a woodworking class at the local high school to make new nesting boxes for the wetland swallows.

“This project was a lot of fun and I liked working in the wood shop. I am excited to see how the birds use their new houses”

– Jace, Grade 5

SHOWCASING NATIVE PLANTS AT VEDDER ELEMENTARY

Posted on by WWF Schools

With a visit from a local ethnobotanist from the Sto:lo Nation, students at Vedder Elementary learned about plants traditionally used by First Nations people in their region. Motivated to share their learnings with other students, staff, and local community members, the Go Wild project team of students built a garden to showcase native plants for future lessons both in and out of the classroom.

“I learned about different plants traditionally used by the Sto:lo people. This project was very interesting and helped me connect more with our garden.”

– Ava, Grade 3

HELPING BIRDS AND BATS THRIVE AT WEST END MEMORIAL ELEMENTARY

Posted on by WWF Schools

At West End Memorial School in Nova Scotia, students came together to protect native wildlife in their community by building habitats to help bees and bats to thrive. The project was a success, providing enough bee houses and bat boxes to distribute amongst students, as well as several for the local community garden, Springhill Communities in Bloom Committee, the Amherst Women’s Shelter, The All Saints Springhill Hospital, and the High-Crest Senior Living Community.

“This project made me more aware of how bees live and what they have to do to survive.”

– Maya, Grade 6

KEEPING LOCAL WATERS CLEAN OF PLASTIC

Posted on by WWF Schools

Living in coastal Nova Scotia, students at Cape Breton Highlands Education Centre were inspired to prevent marine plastic pollution by reducing plastic waste in their community. At their local grocery store, the students implemented a “borrow a bag” system. Back at school, they used reusable cutlery to replace the plastics available in the cafeteria.

“Our co-op has almost completely stopped using plastic bags, instead customers use the cloth bags provided or boxes.”

– Jessie, Grade 11

PRACTICING ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP AT REGINA HUDA SCHOOL

Posted on by WWF Schools

Exercising their leadership skills, senior students at Regina Huda School in Saskatchewan took charge of creating an outdoor space that is equal parts functional, beautiful, and supportive of native wildlife. Workshops led by senior students focused on planting seeds, nurturing plants, and understanding the value of native species for attracting wildlife.

“I’m happy to know I’ve helped contribute to the improvement of our environment and the appearance of our school’s front yard!”

– Noor, grade 11

ALGOMA CENTRAL HELPS NATURE THRIVE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS

Posted on by WWF Schools

With the intention of attracting native wildlife to their school grounds, students at Algoma Central Secondary School took on three new projects to naturalize the area throughout the Spring season.  By planting 50 new yellow birch trees, creating a wildflower garden to support native pollinators, and building houses to support wild bird and bat populations, students were able to connect with and support native wildlife right on their own school grounds.

“It was empowering for them to learn that there was something they could do to support our local wildlife.”

– Vikki, Teacher

SHARING KNOWLEDGE AS ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDS

Posted on by WWF Schools

At Matthew McNair Secondary School, students in the environment club chose to focus their annual theme on rewilding their school courtyard. This ongoing project has successfully used native species to attract finches, hummingbirds, flickers, and many species of bees and butterflies to the school grounds. Eco-leadership students were even able to travel to district-wide events as environmental stewards, sharing their success and inspiring other schools to rewild their own school grounds.

“I’m thankful for the knowledge and skills I have gained so I can make this happen in my future home and workplaces.”

– Brian, Grade 11

WORKING TOGETHER TO PROTECT NATIVE WILDLIFE

Posted on by WWF Schools

Students at Brebeuf College School in Willowdale, Ontario, were inspired to create more green spaces to connect with nature on school grounds. Brebeuf’s Ecology and Garden Clubs worked together to introduce native, drought-tolerant perennials that would provide nectar, pollen, seed and places to lay eggs for the native pollinators on school grounds. A Go Wild success, the resulting garden is dominated by Coneflowers, Bee Balm, Black-eyed Susan, Phlox, and Butterfly weed.

“Hard work truly pays off as the plants we take ownership of eventually grow into beautiful flowers.”

– Brendan, Grade 9

CREATING A LEARNING COMMUNITY AT ÉCOLE SECONDAIRE RONALD-MARION

Posted on by WWF Schools

Senior students armed with the skills to conduct stream water quality assessments mentored their school’s grade 9 students in going wild, completing a study of the stream behind their Pickering, ON secondary school.

“I learned how climate can have an impact on our environment and the factors we have to consider before studying it. I found the experience informative and interesting and liked that we got to learn from people who had more experience than us.”

-Aimée, Grade 9

LENDING A HELPING HAND TO LOCAL WILDLIFE

Posted on by WWF Schools

At Siwal Si’wes Aboriginal Education, secondary students invited nature into the classroom. A local wildlife preservation organization inspired the Mission, BC students around local species restoration projects and provided the opportunity to welcome and care for turtles.

“It allowed me to understand the impact of invasive species in an environment and how greatly it can cause damage altering the entire ecosystem. It is amazing to know we were able to make a difference.”

-Taivinder, Grade 11

Stay Connected