There’s lots going on in the month of February, including some of the most popular eco days and events for the EcoSchools community! As always, use the 2019-2020 Certification Guide to help you plan out your certification success.
Check out the below suggestions from our Eco Calendar for inspiration. Are we missing something important? Email us at info [at] ecoschools [dot] ca and let us know!
World Wetlands Day: February 2
- Wetlands are a critical component in Earth’s biosphere and a haven for all kinds of wildlife and biodiversity. WorldWetlandsDay.org has fantastic learning materials, social media kits, stories about wetlands and climate change, and can help you find events in your community.
- Is your school community located near a wetland? Consider running a clean up campaign which can be claimed in the Environmental Stewardship section of your certification application.
Winter Walk Day: February 5
- Winter Walk Day is a favourite excuse to bundle up and get outdoors for some fresh air and exercise. Activities can be coupled with learning opportunities like a nature walk, nature scavenger hunt, and creating environmental artwork. Check out our Active Transportation Campaign Kit for help with planning.
Sweater Day: February 6
- Sweater Day is a popular campaign and excuse to bundle up indoors! Schools turn down the temperature by a couple of degrees, and everyone is encouraged to throw on a cozy sweater and build awareness about energy conservation. Check out a suite of handy resources that can help you out.
Great Backyard Bird Count: February 14-17
- The Great Backyard Bird Count is a fantastic example of citizen science in action. Every year, bird enthusiasts record the types and numbers of birds they see in their backyards, parks, and communities and submit their data online. This practice helps scientists keep track of species and their migration patterns.
- Why take part? You’ll contribute to capturing a real-time snapshot of where birds are! Anyone can participate, from beginners to experts – and you can commit as much or as little time as you like.
- Get started in the GBBC with this handy beginner info.
- Check out the 2019 GBBC summary and see how an individual’s data can help paint a bigger picture of species’ habits across North America.
Want to go further? Extend any or all of the above initiatives throughout February to boost your impact and learning opportunities.
Remember, sharing photos, videos, and messages is a great way to demonstrate your environmental commitment, and always puts smiles on our faces! Please tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and let us know what you’re up to.