EcoSchools Canada: Supporting the growing environmental movement in Alberta schools
T
he library and art room at
A key to the program’s success in Alberta
and measure the collective impact of
Edmonton’s Elmwood School
has been partnering with the Alberta
their actions. Thanks to our partnership
are home to “Tinker Tanks,”
Council for Environmental Education
with EcoSchools Canada, schools and
storage units full of recycled
(ACEE). ACEE has been an environmental
EcoTeams now have an easy and fun
materials that students can use in
education leader in the province since
way of joining the growing sustainability
projects and artwork. Students create
2005 and was a natural partner for
movement in Alberta and contributing to
new objects like clothing and musical
localizing the EcoSchools program to the
climate solutions.”
instruments out of everyday items like
Alberta context. “Prior to our partnership with EcoSchools
How the EcoSchools program works
The elementary school achieved
Canada, [many] teachers in Alberta
Platinum certification, the highest level
1. Register. EcoSchools registration will
struggled to engage their students in
of achievement, in its first year certifying
environmental stewardship and climate
through EcoSchools Canada. Although
action,” explains Marie Tremblay, Interim
the EcoSchools program only expanded
Executive Director at ACEE. “Teachers
nationwide in fall 2020, Alberta schools
would often share [that] they felt
have already demonstrated enthusiasm
isolated and lacked the expertise to
responsible for leading EcoSchools
for the program, with 73 schools
initiate environmental projects with their
actions and initiatives and operate
certifying in the 2021-22 school year.
students. EcoSchools Canada’s powerful
best with a diverse membership base,
In that year, the province of Alberta
online platform provides all the guidance
including students, teachers, principals,
boasted the second-highest number of
and resources necessary for EcoTeams
school administration, custodians,
participating EcoSchools, after Ontario.
to get started, track their progress,
parents, and community partners.
paper towel rolls and fabric.
10 Alberta School Counsellor / Fall 2022
open to all Canadian schools in late September 2022. Visit www.ecoschools. ca to register your school today. 2. Launch your EcoTeam. EcoTeams are
