September 21, 2009

ECO-CONSCIOUS STUDENTS JOIN MINISTERS TO PLANT TREES IN CELEBRATION OF EDUCATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DELEVOPMENT– – –
Event Marks Official Kick-off To National Forest Week


Education, Citizenship and Youth Minister Peter Bjornson and Conservation Minister Stan Struthers celebrated education for sustainable development (ESD) and Eco-Globe schools at the site of a tree planting to mark National Forest Week at The Forks today.

The ministers were joined by representatives from Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Forestry Association, and students from St. James-Assiniboia School Division to celebrate sustainable development partnerships designed to make a difference to schools, communities and the environment.

“Our government has taken a leadership role in supporting sustainable development activities provincewide to help students and teachers learn how to create a sustainable future through education,” Bjornson said. “The Eco-Globe schools program, introduced in 2008, is gaining momentum and, this year, 27 schools will be recognized for their efforts to raise awareness or take action on important local, national and international issues.”

Eco-Globe schools move through three levels of development including awareness, action and transformation. In the awareness phase, schools promote taking care of the environment, responsible citizenship and healthy living. The action level involves defining staff and student responsibilities for such things as conservation, social, economic and environmental issues. The transformation level includes a school-wide commitment to having students take part in planning ESD projects and incorporating a global component in daily lessons, assemblies, special events and group activities.

“Partnerships with Manitoba Hydro and the Manitoba Forestry Association have resulted in excellent programs such as Forests in the Classroom and the Envirothon which play a key role in helping students understand the complex nature of the global environment,” Struthers said. “I’d like to commend our partners for their ongoing efforts to create awareness of our valuable forest resources and provide conservation education for Manitobans, as well as supporting other sustainable education activities.”

Each public school in Manitoba receives a base grant of $700 to support school and community partnerships that benefit the environment. Through a partnership with Manitoba Hydro, 15 schools each year are also eligible for grants of $2,000 to develop and implement sustainable action projects in their schools. Applications and detailed information are available on the provincial website at www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/esd.

The ministers said, during National Forestry Week, it is particularly important to note that forests are one of the most valuable resources, providing protection for soils and crops and a home for wildlife. Forests also support tourism, recreation and sport, ensure the availability of clean water and air, and provide thousands of jobs. Urban forests help to keep cities beautiful and improve quality of life, they said.

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