April is seen as the first real month of spring, when the days grow noticeably longer and hints of green begin to show after months of white and brown.
A reminder: If you’re planning a campaign or activity that will happen after the final EcoReview deadline of April 24, you can still claim it! Make use of online templates now and be sure to add your planning notes to your online application.
As always, use the 2019-2020 Certification Guide to help you plan out your certification success. Check out the below day and event suggestions from our Eco Calendar for inspiration. Are we missing something important? Email us at info [at] ecoschools [dot] ca and let us know!
National GOOS Paper Day: April 2
This year marks the first-ever National GOOS Paper Day in Canada! GOOS, or Good On One Side paper, has been a popular activity with EcoSchools for years that encourages thorough use and proper recycling of paper.
- Find campaign kits, resources, and tools to mobilize your school community and raise awareness about paper waste on the National GOOS Paper Day web page – coming soon!
- Participate in the National #GOOSPaperDay contest on Twitter and you could win some great prizes! Details coming soon.
Spring into Spring: All April
- Spring into Spring is an initiative organized by Ontario Active School Travel that encourages walking and wheeling to and from school. Check out their ideas for activities and events you can run with your school community, like holding a rainwear fashion show or spring walk parade.
- Discover our Active Transportation Campaign Kit and use it to organize and run walk- or wheel-to-school events. These could be one-time, monthly or weekly campaigns—the key is to develop something that works for your specific school community.
National WIldlife Week: April 7-13
- The Canadian Wildlife Federation’s National Wildlife Week is an opportunity to explore and celebrate the needs of Canadian wildlife and our connection with it. Visit their website for resources and activities.
- Bring wildlife learning to the local level by using and adapting our Nearby Nature lesson plans on studying rock doves and ants.
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Investigate the needs of wildlife by building butterfly habitats, or adapting the lesson to other creatures in your community such as toads, insects, bats or birds. Also consider discussing the impact of human development on wildlife habitat spaces.
Earth Day: April 22
- This year, April 22, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Earth Day and is a globally-celebrated event. Earth Day activities can be extended over a week (Earth Week) or even the whole month of April (Earth Month) for maximum impact and learning opportunities.
- Tap into our Earth Week Activity Ideas to craft a campaign that’s meaningful to your school community.
- Check out EarthDay.ca and EarthDay.org for more resources, tips and helpful info.
Pitch-In Canada Week: April 19-26
- Pitch-In Canada is a great way to organize a school ground clean-up campaign. Take your clean-up to the broader community and register your event to help get the word out. Take advantage of Pitch-in Canada’s handy resources and tips for running a safe clean-up.
- Check out our Waste Minimization resources and discover all the ways to incorporate waste reduction into the classroom and whole school community.
Want to go further? Extend any or all of the above initiatives throughout spring 2020 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.