Sunday, November 24, 2013
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Aster Award Winner!!!
As some of you may or may not know our school has be part of an extensive 4 year study into Toronto's urban bee population. I know that some of you might be thinking "bees at a school, that's crazy!" but not to worry these aren't the kind of bees that will sting you.
PhD candidate Scott MacIvor has been conducting his research for 4 years now to find out which kinds of bees have adapted to Toronto's urban landscape and which ones are being choked out. Bees play a very important role as pollinators, without them our grocery stores, famers' markets, and gardens would look very different.
I wanted to write to his post for two reasons. The first reason is to thank Scott for having our school as part of the study and giving up his own time to talk with our students about his research and the importance of bees in our ecosystems. The second reason is to congratulate him on winning the Toronto Botanical Garden's inaugural Aster Award for his hard work and dedication! He will be receiving this award along side Edward Burtynsky, whom you my remember from my previous post.
If you'd like to know more about Scott's research click on the link below:
http://torontoist.com/2013/05/does-toronto-need-more-wild-bees/
PhD candidate Scott MacIvor has been conducting his research for 4 years now to find out which kinds of bees have adapted to Toronto's urban landscape and which ones are being choked out. Bees play a very important role as pollinators, without them our grocery stores, famers' markets, and gardens would look very different.
I wanted to write to his post for two reasons. The first reason is to thank Scott for having our school as part of the study and giving up his own time to talk with our students about his research and the importance of bees in our ecosystems. The second reason is to congratulate him on winning the Toronto Botanical Garden's inaugural Aster Award for his hard work and dedication! He will be receiving this award along side Edward Burtynsky, whom you my remember from my previous post.
WAY TO GO SCOTT!!!
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| nest box |
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| Scott MacIvor enjoying the fruits of his labour (year 1) |
If you'd like to know more about Scott's research click on the link below:
http://torontoist.com/2013/05/does-toronto-need-more-wild-bees/
Wednesday, October 16, 2013
Water: Burtynsky & Ecological Literacy
At our school this year we have decided to take on the theme of water across the curriculum and the entire school as a way of promoting ecological literacy among our students.
Recently in Toronto I was able to attend the opening of Edward Burtynsky's new photo exhibition, Water. It was a great conincidence that this exhibit happened to be displayed at the same time that I've been trying to wrap my head around activities that students from kindergarten to grade 8 could do around this massive theme, while at the same time linking it back to the Ontario curriculum in a meaningful way.
Not only are these photographs massive, but I felt like they moved me in a massive way. It was increadible to see what an impact water has not only had on shaping our way of life, but also how we have shaped water. As well, to accompany this major photo exhibition Burtynsky and documentary film maker Jennifer Baichwal have released their second film, Watermark, which is currently in theatres.
Looking forward to seeing this theme take shape in our school and really exploring the impact of water!
I've also included a few photographs from the Burtynsky exhibition below, but please check out his website for more of his amazing work from this show.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Been Missing You
Wow, I'm so sorry. I can't believe that I let two months go by without a post. There has been a lot of activity the last little while around school and the garden so I haven't been finding the time to update all of you.
Just quickly I should let you know that compost day at our school is May 13th. Yes, that's a Friday *insert scary sound.
We are so lucky to have Joe Mihevc as the councilor for our area. He's always up to something that supports the environment.
The school garden is coming along nicely these days. The garlic continues to grow and we now have 3 planting beds that no one has vandalized, yah!!!! I'm thinking of building a fourth bed, so I'll have to get more wood and soil. The students have also really enjoyed being part of the building process... it's starting to spread to other students as well. It would be great if one day we could have a planting bed for each class.
Now we planted some seeds indoors last week, but only a couple have sprouted so I'm starting to worry. We've got some money left in the budget so I may just have to go and buy some seedlings from a garden centre. Our planting day will be May 19th, but more to come on that.
Just quickly I should let you know that compost day at our school is May 13th. Yes, that's a Friday *insert scary sound.
We are so lucky to have Joe Mihevc as the councilor for our area. He's always up to something that supports the environment.
The school garden is coming along nicely these days. The garlic continues to grow and we now have 3 planting beds that no one has vandalized, yah!!!! I'm thinking of building a fourth bed, so I'll have to get more wood and soil. The students have also really enjoyed being part of the building process... it's starting to spread to other students as well. It would be great if one day we could have a planting bed for each class.
Now we planted some seeds indoors last week, but only a couple have sprouted so I'm starting to worry. We've got some money left in the budget so I may just have to go and buy some seedlings from a garden centre. Our planting day will be May 19th, but more to come on that.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Bottled Water Free Day
March 10th 2011 will mark Canada's second annual Bottled Water Free day. You may remember this from last year's post, but I think this is an import event for us to recognize. Water comes free from our tap and is WAY more regulated than the bottled water industry.
If you'd like more information about the bottled water industry check out the documentary "Tapped"
I've also included some other short videos on the bottled water industry and my favourite from last year, The Skwirl's Eye View.
The Story of Stuff - Bottled Water
The Skwirl's Eye View
So lets remember to make sure we don't use bottled water on March 10th or any day for that matter!
If you'd like more information about the bottled water industry check out the documentary "Tapped"
I've also included some other short videos on the bottled water industry and my favourite from last year, The Skwirl's Eye View.
The Story of Stuff - Bottled Water
The Skwirl's Eye View
So lets remember to make sure we don't use bottled water on March 10th or any day for that matter!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Sweater Day
WWF Canada has put together a great event that we'll be taking part in at school, SWEATER DAY!!!
The idea is that you pledge to turn down your home thermostat by 3 degrees and wear a sweater around the house... Hey, it's winter, it's supposed to be cold!
WWF-Canada is calling for change!
Climate change is the biggest environmental threat to life on Earth, wreaking havoc with the natural systems that regulate the earth’s climate: melting glaciers and ice caps on every continent, creating heat waves, dehydrating forests and wetlands, and affecting the lives and communities of everyone on the planet.
On average, each of us has a footprint 50% more than what the planet actually produces per person, per year. In other words, it would take 1.5 planets of productivity to support humanity each year. Half our footprint is carbon from fossil fuel emissions. Canada is one of the top 10 nations contributing to global climate change. While other leading countries of the world are pioneering green energy technologies and solutions, we are holding on to an old strategy based on developing increasingly carbon-intensive forms of energy in the Arctic and the tar sands.
Fortunately, we’ve got plenty of reasons to believe we can succeed. There is a solution to climate change – we caused it and we can solve it. We must value carbon more, consume less, insulate better, and hasten the switch to alternative fuels like wind, solar, tidal and hydropower. WWF Canada is calling on business and political leaders to drive this fundamental shift. Our success will ensure that Canada is on the right path for future generations, our economy and the planet.
Why should you participate?
Sweater Day is an accessible and simple way to get involved in the fight against climate change. By getting leaders like you on board, we can begin to make a real difference in our conservation efforts. Turning down the thermostat by a couple of degrees can make a big difference in fighting climate change, and save money. If every Canadian turned down their thermostat by two degrees in the winter, 2.2 megatonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved per year – the equivalent of taking about 350,000 cars off the road.
Sweater Day is an accessible and simple way to get involved in the fight against climate change. By getting leaders like you on board, we can begin to make a real difference in our conservation efforts. Turning down the thermostat by a couple of degrees can make a big difference in fighting climate change, and save money. If every Canadian turned down their thermostat by two degrees in the winter, 2.2 megatonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved per year – the equivalent of taking about 350,000 cars off the road.
So, I'm now putting the challenge out to you. Check out the WWF website to register for your chance to win great prizes!!!
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