Who We Are

Supporting environmental leadership and climate action in schools

Since 2005, EcoSchools Canada’s award-winning certification framework has provided independent reporting and recognition for schools and outdoor and environmental education centres. Reaching about 1 million students annually, we are the largest bilingual, voluntary environmental certification program for K-12 schools in Canada.

We support engagement across all levels of the education sector – from students and teachers to trustees and parents – through training workshops and webinars, annual conferences, educational resources, and national campaigns.

We can help you

Build

environmental leadership and capacity for students, staff, and communities

Improve

the operational efficiency of school buildings

Connect

to local resources through a strong network of regional and national partners

Recognize

excellence with robust reporting and a collective impact framework

Support

Canada’s commitment to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Growing our network

After over a decade of growth as Ontario EcoSchools and numerous requests to expand into new regions, we formally incorporated as EcoSchools Canada in 2017 to enable us to begin working with school communities from coast to coast to coast.

If you are part of a school community and would like to learn more about our program, visit the What is Certification? page for more information.

Connecting to an international community

EcoSchools Canada is the Canadian National Operator of the international EcoSchools program, overseen by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). FEE is endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and is aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. As a member of FEE, EcoSchools Canada is part of a community of 74 other national EcoSchools programs around the globe.

Our Mission

To nurture student leaders, reduce the environmental impact of schools, and build sustainable school communities.

Our Vision

Every School an EcoSchool. From individual behaviours to collective impact, all members of a school community are empowered with the knowledge, skills, perspectives, and desire to act as environmentally responsible citizens.

Our Values

We All Belong

Woven into everything we do is a commitment to diversity, inclusivity and openness. We support inclusive EcoTeams which create a strong sense of belonging for students. We reflect this value in co-creating a community in our work and our networks.

Open and Accountable

As a certification program that supports school communities, we strive to be fair, truthful, and transparent. We love new ideas and aim to bring an open mind to the complex environmental issues facing our network.

Action-Oriented

We believe in thinking critically about the systems that shape our world, society, and communities and work to find solutions to make them better. We thrive on hopeful thinking and positive outcomes and infuse our work and program with this perspective.

Learn where we’re going in our 2024-27 Strategic Plan.

Our Team

Poppy Burbidge

Data and Administration Coordinator

Courtney Clarke

Newfoundland and Labrador Program Manager

René Daranjo

Programs and Curriculum Intern

Ryan Dyment

Co-Executive Director

Sierra Frank

Co-Executive Director

Frédérique Guay

Bilingual Program Coordinator

Ayoub Hammoudi

Bilingual Program Manager

Sidney Howlett

Board and District Program Manager

Jose Marulanda

Communications

Manager

Laura Nickerson

Board & District Program Manager

Alex Ramos

Graphic Designer

Theresa Ramirez

Director, Digital Strategy

Emilie Rayner

Program Coordinator

Erin Ring

Project Manager

Board of Directors

Lindsay Bunce, Co-Chair – Associate Director, Sustainability, Simon Fraser University
Ryan Silva, Co-Chair – Senior Director, Account Management, Broadridge Financial Services
Raquel Fontaine, Treasurer – Senior Manager, Risk Management, TD Bank Financial Group
Barnaby Chan, Secretary – Co-Founder @ Harbinger

Jacob O’Connor, Board Member – Chief Operating Officer, Rythmia Life Advancement Center
Jeremy Lin, Board Member – Associate, Associate, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Bala Gnanam, Board Member – Sustainability, Advocacy and Stakeholder Relations at BOMA Canada
Christina Nestor, Board Member – Director HR Canada Life

EcoSchools Program Advisory Committee (EPAC)

Chara Benson– Toronto and Region Conservation, Peel EcoSchools
Xena Biffert, Calgary Catholic School District
Leandra Coore, Durham District School Board
Ryan Dunne – Thames Valley District School Board
Dr. Xavier Fazio, Brock University
Anjali Hall – Conseil Scolaire Viamonde
Rachel Irwin – Halton District School Board
Tanya Murray, York Region District School Board
Olena Olafson, Calgary Board of Education
Jenn Vetter, Toronto District School Board

Finance Committee

Freda Bi, Senior Analyst, Corporate Strategy, Morneau Shepell
Priscilla Leung, Senior Manager, Valuation Services, KPMG
Belinda Mark, Director, Adams & Miles LLP

Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

Ainsley TDSB, grade 12
Alex YRDSB, grade 12
Darsveer Delta School District, grade 11
Izabelle TDSB, grade 12
Jasmine Independent/private, grade 11
Jerin Peel, grade 12
Jordyn HWDSB, grade 12
Kaarhunyaa OCSB, grade 11
Sarah YRDSB, grade 12
Yasmine YCDB, grade 12