Earth Day Canada | School creates outdoor learning space to win national prize

For Immediate Release

School creates outdoor learning space to win national prize

TORONTO (23/06/09) – Students of Herb Campbell Public School have been recognized as the grand prize winner of the junior category for Earth Day Canada’s Great EcoKids National Challenge. The students received the award for their tremendous commitment and dedication towards improving the health of our planet.

“The students of Herb Campbell transformed their property into a shining example of environmental action in their community,” says Jed Goldberg, President of Earth Day Canada. “They invested time and resources to accomplish something really special, and Earth Day Canada is thrilled to recognize them and their accomplishments.”

The students of Herb Campbell Public School were recognized in part for their hard work in creating a beautiful green space on school property, to be used as a learning space for the school community. Students worked with the Association for Canadian Educational Resources to research and select native plant species for the garden. They installed a mini climate lab to measure community weather trends and supply Environment Canada with the scientific data collected. A butterfly garden was installed to help fellow students learn how pollution and climate change impact animal and plant life in fragile ecosystems. And the students worked with Eat Local Caledon and the Caledon Country Association to encourage community members to purchase local food.

“The Great EcoKids Challenge motivated our students to create a green garden that helps others become more environmentally conscientious,” says Olivier St-Hilaire of Herb Campbell Public School. “To win the Great Ecokids Challenge made us so proud of our students and reinforced the importance of understanding the impact our actions have on the planet.”

For their efforts, Sony of Canada Ltd., a proud sponsor of The Great EcoKids Challenge, awarded the school with a SONY 32” BRAVIA® M-Series High-Definition LCD TV. Each member of the Herb Campbell Public School Environment Club will receive a SONY W-Series Walkman® MP3 Player. For more details on their initiatives, visit www.ecokids.ca.

EcoKids is Earth Day Canada's environmental education program for youth aged kindergarten through grade eight. Celebrating its 15th anniversary, EcoKids empowers young Canadian with environmental knowledge and hands-on activities, and presents this information in fun, exciting ways that increase awareness and encourage community involvement. Our multiple award-winning EcoKids web site (www.ecokids.ca) is an innovative, interactive environmental web site for children, their families, and educators around the world.

About Earth Day Canada
Earth Day Canada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in 1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was recognized as the top environmental education organization in North America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for Environmental Education, the world's largest association of environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada’s “Outstanding Non-profit Organization” by the Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of organizations in all parts of Canada. www.earthday.ca

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To arrange an interview or request photos of the event please contact:
Keith Treffry | Communications Director | Earth Day Canada | 416.599.1991 x 107 | keith@earthday.ca