Kids making a difference: Green CommUnity School Grants

By Ryley Murray
Communications Intern
The program has awarded 33 schools across Canada with a total of $100,000 in grants donated by Loblaw Companies Limited so they can work on environmental projects in their schools and communities. The stories about these projects have had me smiling all week. From a butterfly sanctuary to organic gardens, the actions of these resourceful kids will make a significant impact on the environment, and in their communities. Some of the winners include:

• Peacock Collegiate in Moose Jaw which will use the grant money to prepare and plant “The Learning Garden,” an interactive garden classroom used primarily by teen parents, students with special needs and at-risk youth. The goal of the garden is to expand the learning and life opportunities for the students involved.
• Digby Elementary School in Nova Scotia will be growing a pumpkin patch, a project that will educate students about the importance of plant life and local food.
• Bialik Hebrew Day School in Toronto will be starting its own composting program from scratch using a vermiform composting technique. This project will help students  understand the harmonious relationship between humans, food and animals and teach them the value of composting organic waste.

My hope is that by sharing the stories from the WWF-Canada Green CommUnity School Grants Program, we can inspire other schools to take similar actions of environmental leadership.

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