CWF Recognizes Outstanding Schools

June 21, 2010 –  The Canadian Wildlife Federation has recognized several schools across Canada for their outstanding initiatives to conserve wildlife and habitat.

The best overall Wild School youth project for 2010 was Southern Kings Consolidated School, of Peters Road, PEI. Located near Montague in eastern PEI, the school developed a nature trail to protect the native woodland and wetland species of flora and fauna. The long-term conservation project began in 2006. Students have cleared, groomed and widened the footpath, planted White Spruce, Red Maple, and Red Oak tree seedlings, and developed a brochure and interpretive stations. Squirrels, rabbits, foxes, hawks, bald eagles and many other species utilize the site. The wetland also gives food and shelter to many species such as ducks, herons and other fowl.

 “CWF applauds the outstanding achievements of Southern Kings Consolidated School, and all the other schools in Canada that participate in the Wild School program,” said Wade Luzny, Executive Vice President of CWF. “This is a win-win situation on many levels: outdoor classrooms are wonderful teaching environments, and provide habitat for many species. Tree plantings mitigate the effects of climate change. Habitat projects cultivate interest in conservation, and enable students to turn awareness into action.”

The Runner Ups:

• Hillcrest Central School in Teeswater, Ontario, which has spent four years developing a Monarch Paradise. Students raised, tagged and released 50 Monarchs one fall, tracking their migration to the States and Mexico over the winter. As the Milkweed has grown, the Monarchs have found nectar, the Milkweed beetles have appeared and the students have learned from and enjoyed the butterfly garden.

• Ecole primaire Champlain in Sherbrooke, Quebec for a community project to green the school grounds with native plants, shrubs and trees.

• University of Moncton, Edmunston Campus, in New Brunswick for its summer camp project for 12-18 year olds to build and install bat houses and discover the myths and realities about this species.

Honourable Mentions:

•Avon Public School, Stratford, Ontario
•Education Centre, Chilliwack, British Columbia
•Hofer School in Beausejour, Manitoba
•Mount Joy Public School, Markham, Ontario
•Three Oaks Senior High School, Summerside, PEI
•Upsala Public School, Upsala, Ontario

For more information about the Wild School habitat improvement program, visit cwfEducation.ca.

About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:
The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit charitable organization dedicated to ensuring an appreciation of our natural world and a lasting legacy of healthy wildlife and habitat. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. For more information, visit CanadianWildlifeFederation.ca.

Contact:
Heather Robison
Media Relations Officer
(306) 550-4155
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org