Community
FEATURE RESIDENT
Russ Hanson - Environment Club by KRISTA TURCASSO Recently at a City of Fernie meeting, Sylvia Ayers was presenting to council regarding a ban on plastic bags in our community. As part of the presentation, the École Isabella Dicken Elementary School (ÉIDES) Environment Club had created a video with their thoughts and concerns about plastics. “I let them go completely off script,” Russ Hanson tells me, a teacher at ÉIDES who runs the club. “And while it was a risk, it had so much more impact.”Yes, it did. I am sure there wasn’t a dry eye in attendance. How appropriate that kids are helping to initiate change in our community and around the world, as they, their children and grandchildren will be the ones left to deal with the burden of our social ‘necessities.’ I met with Russ soon after to learn more about his commitment to the environment and this important school club. Russ grew up in Sudbury, Ontario. “In lake country. It’s the only thing about home that I miss,” he shares. After high school, Russ attended university in his hometown as his parents had many health concerns. “I had grand visions but when it came time, I realized I loved that place.” Russ completed a degree in Physical Education and went on to teachers’ college. His first position was teaching 34 grade six students, “which was extremely challenging. My mom wouldn’t let me leave half-way through the year, asking how that would make it better. She passed away that year, and I finished the position.” By the end of summer Russ had moved to Fernie to work at the Guide’s Hut. Some friends Russ knew from home were working there and when a bike mechanic
Submitted Photo position opened, they suggested it to Russ. “I had worked at a bike shop since the age of 15, and they knew it would help me make a much-needed move.” It was at the Guide’s Hut that Russ first met Janet Kuijt, the Vice Principal at ÉIDES. “She came into the shop and during our conversation discovered that I was a teacher and spoke French. Basically, she told me to get my act together and that there was a job if I wanted one. So, I did and never really looked back.”
Janet had been in charge of the Environment club, but with the added administrative work that came with COVID asked Russ if he would be interested in taking the lead. “I have always been passionate about the environment and nature, one way or another. I grew up in the outdoors, building canoes and going on canoe trips, Nordic skiing, and was always asking big questions. “With the kids we’ve taken a grassroots approach. It’s always about the big issues, so how do we arm them with tools and help them to understand the basics? So far, the
