ANNUAL REPORT
2018-2019
Standing with Youth, Growing the Movement
Lindsay Bunce | Executive Director
This past year has seen a historic movement of youth speaking out about the need for urgent climate action. The spotlight is on incredible figures like Greta Thunberg, Autumn Peltier, and Isra Hirsi, who, along with thousands of students in schools across Canada, are raising their voices to demand clear and decisive action on the climate crisis.
This call to action has been heard by municipalities, community organizations, and school boards, many of whom have taken the positive step of declaring climate emergencies. Leaders, like the Rainbow District School Board in Sudbury, Ontario, have also highlighted critical ways we can respond to climate change, including prioritizing EcoSchools certification. A record six school boards reached 100% certification for their schools and more schools than ever are deepening their engagement in the EcoSchools program by achieving Platinum certification. These milestones are clear signs that we, as the EcoSchools community, are on the right track and that our work is more important than ever before.
This past year was full of exciting changes, including envisioning an EcoSchools program that supports Canadian schools from coast to coast to coast. Our transition from Ontario EcoSchools to EcoSchools Canada also enabled us to join the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), an international network supporting over 19 million students across 67 countries through EcoSchools certification. With a greater focus on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and increasing student agency in the program, we are thrilled to unveil this dynamic new certification experience to all schools in 2020-2021.
Forging a national EcoSchools program is a key element of meaningful climate action for students in Canada and requires more support than ever before. We have a bold vision for the education sector in Canada and we invite you to be bold with us as we demonstrate the power of positive environmental action in schools across the country.
Help us reach our shared climate goals. A sustainable future begins at every EcoSchool.
Hello, world! EcoSchools joins FEE
In July 2019, EcoSchools Canada officially became the Canadian representative within the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)’s international network of EcoSchools.
So what does this mean?
The number of certified EcoSchools around the world that are now connected to our community.
The number of countries engaging students and educators through national EcoSchools programs.
The number of students taking climate action globally through the EcoSchools movement.
The number of years that FEE has been supporting environmental leadership globally.
Connecting to #GlobalGoals
EcoSchools are actively working toward 9 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, identified internationally as being crucial to a peaceful and prosperous world.
In 2018-2019…
EcoSchools in Canada ran 153 local and sustainable food campaigns.
334 campaigns targeting single-use water bottles took place in certified EcoSchools.
66% of certified EcoSchools regularly monitor their energy practices.
291 active transportation campaigns took place in certified EcoSchools.
Canadian certified EcoSchools ran 829 responsible consumption and production campaigns.
76% of certified EcoSchools are actively exploring their energy use and energy conservation behaviour.
Certified EcoSchools ran 248 campaigns involving water conservation, pollution prevention, and wise water use issues.
77% of certified EcoSchools engaged in school ground greening projects.
EcoSchools Canada worked with over 50 like-minded community organizations across the country.
“Due to their impressive achievements and long-term success in Ontario, EcoSchools Canada is already perceived as a global Eco-Schools leader.”
— Finn Bolding Thomsen, Deputy CEO of the Foundation for Environmental Education
But there’s more!
2018-2019 saw an incredible deepening of the EcoSchools program in Canadian schools as students and educators challenged themselves to take on more environmental action.
%
The number of EcoSchools that have certified for 5 years or more.
The record number of Platinum EcoSchools certified.
%
The number of EcoSchools that increased their certification level.
The highest number of 100% certified school boards in EcoSchools Canada’s history.
A Tale of Two Maggies
Two students share their passion and experience with the EcoSchools Canada program, how it has shaped their school careers, and what they are taking away for the future.
Maggie Wilcox, Waste Warrior
Grade 11
Reducing waste matters to Maggie Wilcox.
The grade 11 student at TFS, a French immersion international school located in Toronto, is an environmental champion.
Maggie was initially drawn to her school’s EcoTeam, called the Globe Club, in sixth grade with promises of hot chocolate-fuelled nature outings in a nearby ravine.
Throughout the year, she noticed that students would put all their waste in the same bin, regardless of whether it could be recycled, composted, or diverted in some other way. One evening, a lightbulb went off: “I made a headband with the word ‘Checker,’ and the day after, I started monitoring the trash cans in our cafeteria during lunch to help students sort their waste.”
The beginning of something big
The following year, Maggie joined her EcoTeam as an official member, and now four years later, she is the school’s Environmental Prefect and head of the Globe Club.
“My participation on our EcoTeam has helped me develop my leadership and communication skills, but in particular, it’s helped me to feel closer to my school community. I’ve worked on projects with students from grade six to grade twelve, and with a variety of teachers and administrators.”
A breakthrough solution
Maggie’s dedication to reducing waste remains her top priority. A big issue at their school was the struggle to eliminate the sale of plastic water bottles and other single-use items from the cafeteria. After years of research and advocating to the school’s administration and parent community, the Club’s hard work paid off: each teacher and student received a reusable water bottle, and plastic-lined disposable cups would be removed from the cafeteria’s coffee station.
“The issue of climate change is so multifaceted that we can’t properly respond and find solutions without everyone’s help. We all share our planet, and it’s wrong to think that others will solve our environmental crisis for you.
“This program is very easy to follow, and it pushes students and administration to tackle waste, climate change, and other environmental issues,” Maggie explains. “Many young people understand these issues, but don’t know how they can act. EcoSchools offers an opportunity to make a real and significant contribution to solving these problems.”
Maggie Chang, Sustainability Superhero
Post-secondary
Maggie Chang has been an enthusiastic EcoSchools advocate for most of her student life.
Her journey into environmentalism started in first grade when she learned about issues like soil erosion and deforestation in the Amazon.
Now in her fourth year at the University of Waterloo, she credits her EcoSchools experience as the compass that’s guided her to where she is now. “Being on the EcoTeam is most definitely the reason I’m currently where I am studying Environment, Resources, and Sustainability. Working with my EcoTeam in high school made me realize my passion for environmentalism could be a career.”
Going beyond the classroom
Beyond learning about and taking action on environmental issues in her school, Maggie points to the practical skills gained during her years on her EcoTeam that have made her a sought-after candidate for co-op positions. “Thanks to my EcoTeam, I had experience managing a group, event planning, fundraising, and more! It became really clear over the course of my co-op jobs that my EcoTeam gave me experience with many tasks that are part of a wide variety of careers.”
Maggie has made powerful use of these skills throughout her time at university: in the last four years, she has played a key role in organizing two successful sustainability conferences that attracted hundreds of attendees.
What’s more, her hard work and tireless enthusiasm has recently garnered her the honour of being named a Living Planet Leader by WWF-Canada; this recognition is given to a select few students each year who demonstrate environmental leadership in school and in their lives.
In her own words
When asked about the importance of environmental action, Maggie is quick to share her thoughts:
“Environmental action is important because we owe it to ourselves, each other, and the future. It’s not right that we are living in a way that impoverishes our future, that makes continuing to live on this planet implausible. What we’re really fighting for is a better life for everyone.”
Throughout her many accomplishments and achievements, Maggie has held on to a steadfast conviction: EcoSchools matters. “As part of the EcoTeam at your school, you are making a difference that’s good for you, and the planet. You’ll learn skills, make friends, and accomplish things beyond your wildest dreams. EcoSchools brings so many exciting opportunities.”
EcoSchools Canada x eCycle Solutions
Working together to put e-waste in its place
In May 2019, EcoSchools Canada partnered with electronics recycler eCycle Solutions to bring the #DontTrashTech School Challenge campaign to life.
The campaign focused on reducing the amount of electronic waste and accompanying toxic chemicals like cadmium, mercury, and lead, from ending up in landfills. Students and educators in Ontario’s Greater Golden Horseshoe region were encouraged to promote e-waste awareness and bring personal electronics that could no longer be refurbished or repaired to their local Best Buy retailer for secure recycling by eCycle Solutions.
The campaign was a huge success, with 136 schools participating in 24 school boards; a number that Tricia Oldfield, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at eCycle Solutions, notes shows a strong interest in sustainability through recovery and reuse.
“As both individual citizens and corporate citizens—regardless of size or industry—all of us can improve environmental sustainability, at least incrementally, and sometimes in transformative ways. Every positive action, no matter how small, can be the first step to creating a virtuous cycle of sustainability.
“EcoSchools shares the same passion and vision that we do at eCycle, and with all the incredible sustainability work they do with schools across Ontario, they were a perfect choice to partner with.”
Together, EcoSchools Canada and eCycle Solutions are excited to expand the #DontTrashTech School Challenge and e-waste awareness initiatives to new regions in Canada.
EcoSchools Donor High-Five!
Heather Nelson, EcoSchools Canada Donor
When asked why I donate to EcoSchools Canada, my answer is simple: being a steward of our environment is important to me and my family. I believe that providing the opportunity to learn practical ways that we can positively impact our environment is a critical lesson for kids.
For this reason, EcoSchools Canada’s mission of building environmental leadership resonates with me. All of our children should be provided with the opportunity to be environmental leaders. The EcoSchools’ program is an exceptional way of accomplishing this goal.
While I believe that the environment should be a top priority for all levels of government and taught throughout school curriculum, developing broad solutions to the significant problems we currently face will be reliant on the innovation and passion of the next generation. EcoSchools is the answer to my desire to invest in something that has an impact right now and inspires the next generation of changemakers in the future.
Embedding environmental learning and action into the lives of youth is something I want to see in all schools, and supporting EcoSchools Canada is my investment in making it happen.
You can join Heather and many other incredible donors like her by helping us build environmental leadership in Canada.
Financials
Our Team
Full-Time Staff
Melissa Benner
Lindsay Bunce
Tania Cheng
Galen Drinnan
Ryan Dyment
Sierra Frank
Clara Luke
Josh Padolsky
Edvirge Prédestin
Theresa Ramirez
Michelle Shahoud
Jenny Struyk
Part-Time Staff
Natalia Bekirsky
Jocelyn Cadieux
Jaya Deonandan
Neil Dunning
Ariel Estulin
Hayley Goodchild
Paula Graham Harvey
Andrew Johnson
Erin Moir
Richard Prager
Jillian Senyi
Devanshi Sojitra
Kirushanth Sriranjan
Amanda Watkins
Volunteers
Maggie Ballantyne
Catherine Belokapov
Sarah Bradley
Stephanie Calabrese
Lorraine Chung
Jimberly Cotoner
Dana Decent
Teresa Dowd
Carly Gladstone
Jasmine Green
Kyle Jones
Brodie Kinnear
Donald Macpherson
Gavin McGuire
Michael Michaud
Kat Muzyliwsky
Carina Nunes
Nadia Parpulova
Candice Ruggero
Queenie Tam
Sarah Vella
Elie Xu
Amy Yong
Patrick Yong
Patrick Zhao