 |
Welcome to The Environmental Club
School Sustainability Plan
Mission Statement: We will establish an environmentally sustainable school by using an integrated approach that promotes the necessary knowledge, skills, attitudes and values for students now and in the future.
Aim: To create a long-term sustainability action plan for our school to help curb climate change.
Objectives:
Enact energy conservation *
Create carbon sink in community *
Use renewable sources of energy *
Support biodiversity *
Enact water conservation and preservation *
Develop sustainable action projects *
Integrate sustainable curriculum into our school and daily lives *
Goals:
Perform energy audit of school*
Research water conservation within school *
Increase wetland area*
Participate in community events *
Quantify energy savings*
Invest in renewable energy (wind and solar) *
Improve recycling and other waste programmes *
Enact Lights Off, Computers Off when not in use *
Perform clean-up projects in community *
Plant native trees and wildflower garden at school *
Initiate retrofitting projects for water energy efficiency
Take before and after photographs of projects *
Contact community press regarding project accomplishments *
Create "idle free zones" around school
Contact governments, local clubs, and businesses *
Initiate ways to make driving cars by students less convenient
Collect ink cartridges to recycle *
Contact elementary schools and mentor students through sustainability projects *
Provide more bicycle racks to encourage physical fitness *
Investigate feasibility of compostable toilets
Convert one bus to alternate fuel
Install vending misers at school
Use motion sensors to turn off lights
* goals addressed/partially addressed
|
!!!!!!ACTION!!!!!! |
|
|
EcoSchools |
|
|
|
|
EcoSchools is a provincial programme that helps promote environmental literacy and environmentally sound operational practices. It incorporates an environmental education component into the school planning and review process. It serves to develop a process for continual improvement in environmental education and operational practices. EcoSchools is enabling the school to speed up the implementation of our school's sustainability plan and involve the entire student body. We have been a certified EcoSchool for the past 3 years. EcoSchools will now be referenced throughout the Environmental Club website. |
|
3-Fold Approach to Energy |
|
|
Energy Conservation, Carbon Sink, Renewable Energy |
|
|
Energy Conservation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lights Off Computers Off ... LOCO - For many years, members of the Environmental Club have been tracking and encouraging energy conservation through 'LOCO'. We have been asking everyone to turn off all of their lights, computers and other electrical devices when not in use. This year is no exception. We continue to monitor the progress of energy conservation in the school by collecting data after school monthly. Records are kept and used to track our progress for EcoSchools. We would have considerable cost savings if 'LOCO' was fully implemented. Clearly, small changes in
behaviour can make a big difference to energy savings and the bottom line! |
|
Energy and Water Conservation |
|
|
|
Water Bottle Sales - In support of energy and water conservation while helping to address landfill concerns, and toxic leaching we are selling stainless steel water bottles. This will reduce the use and number of plastic water bottles in our school and community. This year we sold stainless steel water bottles at Grade 9 Orientation in September and during lunch hour at the school. All profits from the sales are going to support green initiatives at the school.   Banning plastic Water Bottles from our School Board Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board has an opportunity to set an example to students and the larger community about stewardship of the
Earth. Better alternatives to the use of plastic water bottles are readily available. Students from ENSS joined other secondary and elementary schools at a Board meeting to to ask that our Board adopt the following recommendations. Recommendations :
- Install filler station spigot replacements on selected existing water fountains
Removal of plastic bottled water from vending machines and cafeterias
- Replace bottled water in vending machines with milk and real fruit drinks (glass bottles, cartons, tetra packs)
- Students and staff would be free to exercise their choice for plastic water or juice bottles by bringing from home
We await their decision.
|
|
Carbon Sink |
|
|
|
|
Trees, Trees, Trees - Trees act as a carbon sink and help curb global climate change. For many years, we have worked with the Northumberland Stewardship Council planting native trees at numerous locations. Normally the minimum order is 100 trees. However, this volume excludes most local residents from taking advantage of such a great programme. Thanks to the generosity of the Northumberland Stewardship Council, we were given permission to split up the bundles four years ago. As a result, we have sold over 5,530 trees in our area. The photo above shows members of the Environmental
Club selling trees at Applefest this year. |
|
|
|
In addition, the three large sugar maple trees we planted and nurtured over the past few years are doing well. They will provide shade to the classrooms beside the trees and make life a lot cooler in these classrooms in years to come. In October, students added some fresh mulch to the trees. Further, last fall a blue spruce tree was planted on the school property close to our maple trees. This award was given to us by Facilitis Services in recognition of our being a certified EcoSchool.
Wetland Restoration - We have been working for many years to increase the size of the wetland beside our school. Restoration activities have included staking out the area, planting native trees, clean-ups, and removing purple loosestrife. Thus far, we have witnessed a thirty-fold increase in the size of the wetland. This project is ongoing. We are planting another 25 trees there in May. |
|
|
|
|
|
Renewable Energy |
|
|
|
Wind, Solar and Education - This project has two phases: first the wind turbine then the solar panels including educational components. Renewable energy will reduce our reliance on fossil fuel use, lower our ecological footprint and help us to become a truly sustainable school. |
|
Wind Energy and Education |
|
|
|
|
We have now completed the wind turbine phase of the project by fund-raising over $27,000.00. Many community groups, clubs and organizations supported the project including: Codrington Women's Institute, Colborne Chapter of the Eastern Star, Kinsmen Club of Brighton, Knights of Columbus, Lion's Club of Brighton, Northumberland Community Business Development Association Corp., Northumberland Community Future Development Corp., Order of the Royal Purple, Presqu'ile Yacht Club, Rotary Club of Brighton, Rotary Club of Colborne, Royal Canadian Legion Brighton Branch 100, Smithfield Coffee Club, and the Wooler Women's Institute. Many businesses helped to fund the project including Rowley Electric, Allen Insurance Group, Gerdau Amersteel, Mill Valley Natural Spring Water Ltd., Nestle Canada Inc., M&M Meats Trenton, Milligan Construction, Country Fixin's/Antique Warehouse, and Mystical Distributing Company Ltd. Further, the business community supported us by donating several gifts in kind. Quinte Mobile Cement donated the cement. Fledderus Concrete helped to facilitate the process and volunteered to help with any shortfall in cost. Electro Cables Inc. in Trenton donated all of the cable for the wind turbine. Indewey Construction dug the hole for the
foundation and then donated the sand and gravel to the project. Cole's Tim-Br Mart donated the rebar, wire and some cement to the project. Kuipers Concrete donated the forms and alot of extra help. Battlefield Equipment Rentals helped us with a trench digger. Lakeshore Crane Rentals in Belleville donated the crane time to put up the turbine. Modu-Loc Fence in Port Hope lent us a fence to help with the containment of the project as construction was going on. Phillips Farm Supplies donated the seed to cover any soil disturbed through construction. Willow Publishing, No Frills, Sobeys, Baskin Robins, and Centre Theater have also donated various gifts in kind to the project. Our welding teacher Mr. Alderdice managed the construction of the project while garnering some help from his students and colleagues from the Communications and Technology Department. Students at ENSS helped fund-raise for the project. We held countless fund-raising events including semiformal dances called 'the Spring Fling', sold stainless steel water bottles, hosted a movie/dinner night assisted by the Blue Dragon's Catering Club, a buyout to watch our Jr. Boys Soccer team win COSSA and received a few major donations from Student Government. This year ENSS was given a television from Facilities Services with an educational programme that monitors and compares energy use in schools across the Board. The energy generated from our wind turbine is providing ongoing data and through this added technology can now be shared with
other schools. |
|
|
|
Tree Mural - In support of the wind turbine, Mr. Banting and Mr. German's Art Club painted a Tree Mural in the cafeteria. All of the names of the community groups, clubs, organizations, businesses and students who donated to the project are listed on a separate dedication mural panel leaving a lasting legacy at E.N.S.S. The official unveiling of the Tree Mural and panel occurred during the Applefest weekend in September this year. Past and present members of the Art Club and Environmental Club were in attendance as well as other contributers, the Mayor, Lou Rinaldi M.P.P, and Doug
Galt M.P..
Vision 2020 Green Project Recognition The KIn Club has always been a strong supporter of our wind turbine project. Following it's installation, the Environmental Club worked closely with Kin Club member Allan Simpson to recognize what we had accomplished through this initiative for our community. In september 2010, we received the 2009-2010 National Award for our "Wind Power System" under their first ever 'Vision 2020 Green Project Recognition Award'. We are extremely proud and thankful to all of the members of the KinClub of Brighton and Canada for making this possible. Deputy Governor Heather Hughes,
Local member Allan Simpson President Brighton Kin Club and Diistrict Governor Len Ptak are shown above presenting the award to teacher Ms. McConkey and students Hailey Francescone, Vanessa Watts, Laura Watts and Paul Je standing. |
Ground-breaking Day for the Wind Turbine was held on May20th, 2009!!!!! |
|
|
|
Breaking ground from left to right Mr. Alderdice; Construction Project Manager, Mr. Barker Energy Consultant Bd. Facilities, Mr. Cutler Council of Brighton, Mrs. Terpstra; Director of Bd., Mr. Kawzenuk Principal, Ms. McConkey; Project Manager/ Environmental Club Leader, Mrs. Dickson Bd. Trustee, Vivenne Wu Minister of Environment. |
Mr. Indewey breaking ground for the foundation with his back hoe. |
Measuring depth of the hole for foundation. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note the rebar construction and mount for the turbine. |
Note the rebar construction and mount for the turbine. |
Finishing the cement for the wind turbine foundation.Note the rebar construction and mount for the turbine. |
|
|
|
Students digging trench from the foundation to the school. |
Cutting concrete while drilling into school for cable connection to foundation. |
Technology teachers cutting concrete while electricians feed cable into school. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Putting the pieces together. Centre; Mr. Alderdice and student Kyle Sharpe attaching antenna for school tied computer monitor system. |
|
|
|
|
Wind Turbine Installation |
|
Ribbon-cutting Ceremony for the Wind Turbine was held on June 22nd, 2009!!!!! |
|
|
|
Ribbon-cutting Ceremony occurred just before the end of June 2009. |
|
Solar Panels |
|
|
|
|
On September 1st, students from the Environmental Club of East Northumberland Secondary School, staff, board officials, community groups, the Mayor of Brighton and Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi celebrated receiving grant monies as part of Ontario’s green initiatives. In order to qualify for the funding, ENSS had to meet all of the criteria set out by the province. There were 126 schools that received funding across the province. Of the $50 million allocated to schools across the province, ENSS received close to $1million. There are now 420 solar panels mounted on the school’s roof creating a
100 kW system. This system is expected to be hooked up to the grid soon. As part of the provincial Feed in Tariff program, KPR will sell the power generated by the solar panels back into the grid at a premium price for the next 20 years. Students of the Environmental Club hope that the Board will reinvest a large portion of these funds into other green initiatives at other schools in our Board. The above photo shows our school’s original Minister of Environment Katelyn Cummings (left) and current Minister of Environment Kristin Sinclair
(right) on either side of a photo of the solar panels mounted on the school roof. |
|
e:DSC01943.jpg]KPRDSB Receives Gr |
|
t for Solar Panels On September 1st, students from the Environmental Club o |
|
|
econdary School, staff, board officials, community groups, the Mayor and Liberal MPP Lou Rinaldi celebrated receiving grant monies as part of Ontario’s green initiatives. In order to qualify for the funding, ENSS had to meet all of the criteria set out by the province. Of the $50 million allocated to schools across the province, ENSS received approximately $1 million. There are now 450 solar panels mounted on the school’s roof forming a 100 kW system. This system is expected to
be hooked up to the grid within the next four to six weeks. As part of the provincial Feed in Tariff program, KPR will sell the power generated by the solar panels back into the grid at a premium price for the next 20 years. Students of the Environmental Club hope that the Board will reinvest a large portion of these funds into other green initiatives at other schools in our Board. The atta |
|
photo shows the school’ |
|
|
|
|
inister of Environment Kristin Sinclair (right) on either side of a photo of the solar panels mounted on the school roof. Minister of Environmental Affairs [Image:DSC01727.jpg] This year Laura Watt was our Minister of Environmental Affairs on Student Government. However, recently, we have have had a change in portfolios and Kristin Sinclair is noew our new Minister. The Minister is responsible for attending both Student Government and Environmental Club activities. It is not an easy job, but it is extremely rewarding. Kristin is shown here gathering signitures of support for the 'Green Pledge'. She
has set up a display at the school where students can come and sign up for th 'Green Pledge' which states; “I promise to do my best, to reduce, reuse, recycle, I will take action for a better world, and help protect the environment.” There are pictures there of students who have |
|
n the 'Green Pledge' over the a |
|
|
|
|
n Blue Dragon is seen here also supporting the cause.
Organic Vegetable Garden [Image:IMG_1340.jpg] [Image:3222011_63611_0.jpg] [Image:DSC01679.jpg] The garden is situated in the courtyard of the school. We have been planting there for seven years. At first, we planted corn, potatoes, onions, strawberries and pumpkins. We then moved onto rhubarb, leeks, two varieties of melons, onions, tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers and marigolds for protection. In the fall of 2007 we planted garlic and in the
spring of 2008 we gave the responsibility of this garden to the Learning and Life Skills class. In addition to the rhubarb, the LLS class a |
|
ow planting several vari |
|
|
|
|
, carrots, peas, swiss chard, spinach, tomatoes, pumpkins, squash, cucumbers, sunflowers, an herb garden and marigolds. The tomatoes, beets and swiss chard did particularly last fall. Some of the produce was used to prepare food for the LLS class, as well as, sold to staff and culinary classes. This spring grade 9 science and geography classes will be preparing the garden. Tallgrass Prairie/Native Garden [Image:3222011_64304_1 5.jpg] [Image:1262011_31004_45.jpg] In order to address the issue of excess heat in the corner of our garden four years ago we planted a tallgrass prairie/native garden. This garden incorporates drought tolerate plants while increasing biodiversity. We originally planted seventeen different species of grasses and native flowers and more have volunteered. We have included pathways for students to
study the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and native plants. Geography classes and the Environmental Club continue to nurse this garden through its infancy. We believe our tallgrass prairie/native garden is maturing well and now simply requires regular maintenance as it continues to mature. Monarch Butterfly Garden [Image:DSC01597.jpg] [Image:1262011_31044_47.jpg] [Image:DSC01600.jpg] A year ago, |
|
ents started a garden to cater to the spe |
|
|
|
|
eral other species in the garden to meet the needs of all stages of the monarch butterfly's development. We will contiue to maintain and improve this garden for science and geography classes to use, and hopefully collect eggs and raise monarchs in the classroom to be reintroduced into the wild. Regul;ar Recycling [Image:DSC01715.jpg] Regular recycling is collected once a week by Mr. Kushnik's civic's classes. In an effort to support increased recycling, students from ENSS are shown performing a recycling skit. As part of EcoSchools, science classes perform a garbage audit. This involves collecting, weighing and examining the contents of all of the garbage (not including recycling) in a 24 hour period of time. In summary, this years |
|
age audit found 20% r |
|
|
|
|
33% recyclable paper, 10.08% other recyclables,9.33% food waste/organics, and 29.64% garbage. In the 194 school days per year that means that each student at ENSS consumes an average of 29.09 kg. of garbage. We will continue to try to reduce the volume of both garbage and recyclables as well as divert many more recyclables from the garbage. Recycling for the Terry Fox
Foundation!!! [Image:1262011_31116_49.jpg] [Image:1262011_31119_50.png] The Environmental Club is combining the school's fund-raising campaign for Terry Fox with the recycling programme. The Terry Fox Foundation has given us special permission to use a logo of Terry Fox on our recycling bins. This is a REAL HONOUR! Ten thousand schools from across Canad |
|
rticipate in raising mone |
|
|
|
|
Terry Fox Foundation receives a thousand requests daily seeking permission to use an image of Terry Fox. We are the only school in Canada that has been given permission to do so. Why? Because of YOU!!!! The Terry Fox Foundation knows what Terry Fox means to the students of ENSS. We have a buyer for our recycled cans. All of the money raised through this programme goes to the Terry
Fox Foundation. Recycling Cell Phones [Image:DSC01753.jpg] Recyc |
|
Cell Ph |
|
|
|
|
ized program dedicated to recycling cell phones. Cell phones contain both hazardous waste, and a mineral known as 'coltan'. Unfortunately, 80% of the world's supply of 'coltan' is found in the Democratic Republic of Congo in lowland gorilla territory. The mining of coltan is destroying their habitat while children from the region are dropping out of school to work in the mines and many are taken as child soldiers. By recycling used cell phones, we can lessen the demand for coltan, save our landfill sites from haz |
|
us waste a |
|
|
|
|
date, we have collected 408 cell phones. This project is ongoing. Recycling Internationally [Image:3222011_65138_2.jpg] Books, Books, Books - So far we have shipped 5 boxes of books to Ghana in a container through Doctors Without Borders. Northumberland Youth For Christ took 60 lbs of books with them to
Ghana 2 years ago and plans to take 60 lbs more next summer. Two years a |
|
e sent 24 boxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ies and another 10 boxes of books donated by math and science departments last summer. This programme is ongoing. E-Waste [Image:E-Waste Electronics.jpg]
In collaboration with the Ontario Electronic Stewardship (OES) prgramme, ENSS has been holding E-Waste recycling events. We collect and recycle electronic waste including computer monitors, T.Vs, printers etc avoiding hazrdous waste leaching in landfills. So far, we have held 3 school events. OES ensures that end-of-life electronics recyclers undergo a qualification process to meet the objective of potentially hazardous components not being sent to develop |
|
nations for the purpose of |
|
|
|
|
Earth Week [Image:DSC01559.jpg] [Image:1262011_31327_4.jpg] [Image:1262011_31330_5.jpg] Earth Week is always a cause for celebration for the Environmental Club! Earth Week 2011 will b |
o exception! We will have an environmental trivia contest and hold our annual community clean up. Last year 18 classes signed up to volunteer to clean up our community. The classes received a map of the area they were responsible for cleaning up. They filled 2 dumpsters full of garbage. Humane Society
[Image:1262011_31402_7.jp |
|
|
|
o care about the environment usually care about animals too. This year the Environmental Club is focussing on animal cruelty and featuring animals from the local Northumberland and Quinte Humane Societies in our display cases. Brighton is situated halfway between the two locations. There are so many incredible animals up for adoption. Most of the dogs all get adopted but unfortunately many perfectly adoptable cats are euthanized due to sheer numbers and lack of space at the shelter. The Environmental Club is encouraging everyone who wishes to adopt an animal to go to the Humane Society and see who is there.
Sustainable Transportation [Image:1262011_31509_9.jpg] Bicycle Racks - Cyclists find more safe and effortless places to park at the school thanks to welding classes who made the school bicycle racks in support of sustainable transportation. Links
| |
KPR Home
|
