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Lord Beaverbrook High School – A Leading Green EcoSite

EcoSites is an environmental learning initiative which aims to support teachers and schools in advancing environmental literacy in their school learning communities. Schools can choose from three levels of EcoSites to meet the level of challenge/integration with curriculum they are interested in or can make fit. EcoSites participate each school year to become recognized again as either the same or a different level of EcoSite. EcoSites are recognized for their accomplishments at a recognition and celebration ceremony held in May of each year. As part of the recognition, EcoSites receive a rebate on actual utility cost reductions at their school that occur as a result of their environmental planning and action initiatives.

Lord Beaverbrook High School (LBHS) is the largest high school in Calgary, has many environmental initiatives underway, and offers the LDC Env Studies 25/35 to its students. Teacher Maureen Pettigrew and Prinicipal Dianne Yee have been major drivers of environmental learning at Beaverbrook over the past number of years.

During the 2008-09 school year, Lord Beaverbrook participated in the EcoSites pilot with 8 other CBE sites. The initiative was designed with input from this pilot group of teachers and principals along with leadership from the CBE Energy & Environmental Services Dept. EcoSites will be launched to the entire CBE system of schools in the 2009-10 school year.

As part of its pilot, LBHS participated as a Leading Green EcoSite. To be a Leading Green EcoSite, schools must integrate learning about alternative energy, ecology, and environmental awareness into their curriculum. Leading Green EcoSites also provide regular opportunities for students to experience the natural world. In addition, Leading Green EcoSites undertake 6 or more EcoPlanning and Action projects which might include any of the following types of projects

Some of the Beaverbrook projects included:

• a challenge with Chapparal School to see which school could reduce its energy consumption the most during the school year
• creating a computers off campaign called ‘Flex your Power’ aimed at reducing the amount of computers left on when unattended
• Creating an energy wheel to educate other students about energy use in the school
• Creating a goal of 25% water consumption reduction for the school year which included installing motion sensor tap fixtures in the girls’ washrooms in the school
• Creating a BioGas generator as a demonstration project using funds from the school’s successful BP A+ for Energy grant
• Piloting a composting program including placing compost bins in lunch rooms, cafeteria, and select classrooms.
• Waste diversion initiative focusing on organic waste and paper diversion. The school placed posters and recycling bins throughout the school.
• Recycling initiative focused on Christmas tree ornaments
• Maintenance and yearly restoration of biome beds on 90th Ave SE
• Supporting the creation of a biosand water filter in India
• Use of ecological footprint calculator in various classes in the school
• Outreach composting program where LBHS students visit local elementary schools to teach younger students about setting up compost programs at their school.
• LBHS student participation in various environmental workshops and conferences including Destination Conservation; Change Day; World Water Day & Youth Summit; Mayors Environment Expo
• Environmental writing workshop with author Jamie Bastedo.

It is apparent from this list of initiatives that LBHS is a model for environmental learning initiatives and ‘Leading Green’ definitely describes this school’s staff and students.

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Last Modified: September 24, 2011