Ecoschools Program

In 2006, the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) embarked on a board-wide initiative called EcoSchools. This initiative is a three-phased approach aimed at balancing the needs of the GECDSB with a growing sense of environmental stewardship, and to teach students through leadership and action. The first phase of EcoSchools focusses on energy conservation in buildings, and attempting to increase awareness of how behaviour affects the amount of energy consumed. The second phase of EcoSchools deals with waste reduction, and increasing the amount of materials that go into a recycling bin, rather than the garbage bin. Both of these two phases are carried out with the belief that simple tasks done on a regular basis, both in the home and at school, really can make a difference, both in the school context, but in the wider community and ultimately for the planet.

The third phase of EcoSchools is slated to be unveiled in spring 2008. This phase, entitled ‘Schoolyard Greening’, encourages EcoTeams to analyze their schoolyards and to map various features, traffic patterns, sun & shade patterns, recreational uses, etc. In partnership with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA), many schools have undertaken tree plantings at their schoolyards, and several have also embarked on wetland areas, prairies, and native plant gardens. Schoolyard Greening aims to look at schoolyards holistically, and to incorporate native species and natural areas with outdoor classrooms and areas for quiet reflection.