Ernie Crossland Young Conservationist Award

RL Graham Public School has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.

The school’s Eco Team worked hard to help the school achieve Platinum Eco-School Certification in its first re-launch year and the school received a greening grant to plant more trees in their playground. They collaborated with the Town of Georgina to plant additional trees on neighboring properties, ensuring they represent the local environment and can withstand challenging environmental conditions.

Their Grade 5/6 class was one of two classes in Canada to participate in the Amigos Aldos study of migratory birds, where students tracked birds, collaborated with international partners, participated in bird-watching activities, and shared their findings through school displays and assemblies.

Teachers also worked with the community to establish a Healing Forest near the school, engaging town counselors, the school board’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) team and community members.

Other initiatives included:

• Story Walks to promote outdoor learning
• Students in Grades 3/4 learned about upcycled fabrics and sewed their own “sit spot” cushions from donated clothing items
• Management of green bins to reduce waste going to landfills, with a “Golden Garbage Bin” incentive system developed by students
• Eco Club leaders communicated with the District Manager of Green For Life Environmental to better understand waste management processes, tailoring the Green Bin program accordingly
• Students have also engaged in hands-on learning experiences, including growing plants from seeds and using a worm composter to convert food scraps into nutrient-rich soil
• The Eco Club is currently in the process of creating a greenhouse space in the school to grow a variety of plants

These initiatives not only enhance environmental education, but also foster sustainable practices, encourage community engagement, and promote a culture of environmental stewardship among students.