Green CommUnity School Grant winner: The Marsh Pré-Joli

Last fall, Ecole Des Jolis-Prés in Laterrière, QC, was approved for a Green CommUnity School Grant — $5,000 to help Save Our Marsh  behind the school.

Ecole Des Jolis-Prés K–6 students had observed waste accumulating in the marsh and the damage done by the use of off-road vehicles in the marshland. In response, they came up with a campaign to raise awareness among students and the community on the importance of saving the marsh.
Not only did nearly 150 people help with the cleanup (on a cloudy and chilly Saturday, no less!), but the project created many educational opportunities for the students, too. Eurêko!, an organization dedicated to environmental education, developed resources for  the K–6 teachers on topics such as sampling, botany, ornithology, bugs and insects, and more.

The school also built a pergola near the marsh, where students could observe birds. Their next step is to plant trees and flowers and build birdhouses to attract different birds to the schoolyard; the students can’t wait to have more reasons to use their binoculars!
 

A big congratulation to Ecole Des Jolis-Prés’ teachers and students — it looks like everyone (wildlife included) is going to enjoy the marsh a little more now!