Annual Report

2023-2024

Our Story of Collaboration,

Impact and Change

It has been 20 years since EcoSchools launched our program and over that period we have awarded well over 22,000 certifications to schools who have demonstrated environmental excellence in their communities. This year, we welcomed 331 new schools to the program and had participation from schools across all 10 provinces. Reaching almost 900,000 students across 143 school boards and districts, we are extremely proud of our impact and the dedication of our passionate teachers and students who are making a difference in their school communities.

Each year, our program has continued to evolve and adapt to the needs of our constituents and this year was no exception. With the support of Environment and Climate Change Canada we were able to focus our efforts in Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan where we have built out customized versions of our program that connect directly to provincial curriculums and local issues including wetlands and green careers. Through our regional partners, we were also able to deliver in-person professional development for teachers, presentations on climate change and funding opportunities for schools to implement sustainability initiatives.

We were also very excited to launch the inaugural EcoTeam Awards, where we celebrated the passionate youth leaders who are taking action to the next level. Winning EcoTeams were awarded $15,000 in prizes for their outstanding projects including planting a Medicine Wheel garden, running a design jam on sustainable development and working with BIPOC Nature Educators to visit nearby forests. By celebrating the students leading the sustainability efforts at their schools, we hope to inspire more school communities to make an impact and join the movement of EcoSchools across Canada and the rest of the world.

Beyond our school-based program, we also began developing our new School Board and District Program intended to catalyze the development and launch of climate action plans amongst Canadian school boards. Currently, just 5 out of close to 400 school boards have committed to a climate action plan despite the proven impacts a plan can have to reduce both emissions and costs across Canada’s ~15,000 schools. This new program will feature an online platform for school board representatives, detailed analysis of carbon mitigation and climate adaptation projects that can be implemented and the establishment of a national network of boards working towards progress on this issue.

Whether you are a participant, partner, donor or cheerleader of our work, we thank you for your support and for recognizing the vital role education plays in a sustainable future.

Sierra Frank and Ryan Dyment | Co-Executive Directors

Did you know?

in the 2023-24 school year...

schools from 10 provinces and territories registered in the EcoSchools program

0k+

students were reached by the EcoSchools program

0k+

hours of outdoor learning took place

students were part of an EcoTeam!

actions completed. That’s 2,760 more than last year

schools wrote an EcoCode in the 2023-24 school year

Impacts:

SDG Statistics

The EcoSchools program offers over 50 distinct environmental actions that are aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). During the 2023-2024 school year, these actions enabled students and educators to achieve meaningful and sustainable outcomes, including reduced energy consumption, decreased waste generation, and heightened water conservation awareness. By fostering critical and creative thinking about environmental responsibility among all members of the school community, EcoSchools has made a significant contribution to Canada’s progress towards fulfilling the UN SDGs.

In the 2023-24 school year...

0k+

students participated in The Great Gulp

0.6k

classrooms had their energy efficiency optimized

0.9k

students used active and sustainable transport to travel to school

kg of waste (recycling and organics) was diverted from landfill

0.7k

trees were planted on school grounds during the school year

Learn more about how EcoSchools Canada is furthering Sustainable Developments Goals

EcoTeam

Awards

During the 2023-24 school year, EcoSchools Canada launched the first-ever EcoTeam Awards. Aimed at recognizing youth-led environmental groups or EcoTeams within their school communities, the awards called for outstanding teams to apply for one of six $2,500 prizes to fund their next environmental venture. The incredible applications were sorted through and reviewed by a panel of judges, assessing for criteria including student leadership, impact and community engagement.

Six exceptional schools were selected out of hundreds of incredible applicants across Canada. The winners of the inaugural EcoTeam Awards were:

(EN) Elementary EcoTeam Award: Monsignor Leo Cleary Catholic Elementary School, Courtice, ON
(EN) Secondary EcoTeam Award: Agincourt Collegiate Institute, Scarborough, ON
(EN) KickStart EcoTeam Award: Dunrankin Drive Public School, Mississauga, ON
(FR) ÉcoÉquipes Étoiles primaire : É Élém C Saint-Jean-Paul II, Ottawa, ON
(FR) ÉcoÉquipes Étoiles secondaire : ÉS Catholique Champlain, Sudbury, ON
(FR) ÉcoÉquipes Étoiles émergentes : École Notre-Dame, Edmundston, NB

EcoSchools in

NL, SK and NB

Through generous support from Environment and Climate Change Canada, EcoSchools partnered with leading environmental organizations in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Saskatchewan to expand our certification program in these regions. The project included the development of customized Regional User Experiences (RUEs) for each province with regional curriculum-supported materials for educators, new and adapted action cards on topics including wetlands, World Water Day, green careers and eco-emotions. Participating schools also received funding for school-based projects, certification packages and professional development opportunities for educators.

In the 2023-24 school year, we welcomed 105 schools to the program through this new initiative and will continue to grow our reach and impact in these provinces in the coming years. As we continue expanding our reach across the country, projects like this will open the door to new partnerships and collaborations as well as providing valuable learning opportunities for scaling and customizing our program to meet regional differences and realities on the ground.

EcoSchools

in Action!

Dive into some of the most inspiring videos from EcoSchools across the country. These heartwarming stories showcase the incredible environmental efforts happening in different provinces. Watch and be inspired by the innovative projects and the dedication of students making a difference in their communities.

Students transform trash into art for Earth Day
Vancouver, BC

Bee the Change | Élevage d’abeilles en ville
Oakville, ON

Urban Agriculture | L’agriculture urbaine
Montreal West, QC

Project 2050

Climate-friendly habits to change the world

Project 2050 is all about youth taking action for climate change and adopting small but impactful climate-friendly habits. With over 200 schools participating, 65,000 elementary students from across Canada completed at least 3 or more climate-friendly actions like “Waste-free Lunches”, “Switch Off Lights and Devices”, and Active and Sustainable School Travel.

Check out some inspiring student stories below to see their amazing efforts!

Student advocates for sustainable transportation
by Evan

ZERO waste goal
By Hannah

2023-24 Audited

Financials

View full financials

Certified

Milestone Schools

Becoming a Milestone School with EcoSchools Canada isn’t about finding a secret recipe—it’s more like whipping up a delightful eco-smoothie with a blend of dedication, a robust EcoTeam, and a generous serving of passion from staff, parents, and volunteers. Hats off to the schools celebrating 10, 15, and even 20 years of certification with the EcoSchools program!

10 year schools

Holy Name of Mary Catholic S
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic S
Sacred Heart Catholic S – Marmora
St. John XXIII Catholic S
St Martha Catholic S
St Patrick Catholic S
St Paul Catholic S
Anderson C & VI
St. Mark Catholic S
St Mary’s Sep S
É Élém C Arc-en-ciel
É Élém C d’enseignement personnalisé Lamoureux
É Élém C Des Voyageurs
É Élém C J.-L.-Couroux
É Élém C L’Envol
É Élém C Notre-Dame-des-Champs
É Élém C Saint-Jean-Paul II
É Élém C Sainte-Bernadette
É Élém C Sainte-Geneviève
É Élém C Terre-des-Jeunes
ÉS C Collège catholique Franco-Ouest
École élémentaire publique Mauril-Bélanger
ÉEP Francojeunesse
ÉEP Michaëlle-Jean
ÉSP Gisèle-Lalonde
É Élém Marie-Curie
ÉS Ronald-Marion
St. Andrè Bessette
St. John Paul II
St Joseph Catholic S
St Wilfrid Catholic S
Adelaide Mclaughlin PS
Claremont PS
Coronation PS
Fallingbrook PS
Gandatsetiagon PS
Highbush PS
Pine Ridge SS
Whitby Shores P.S. PS
Williamsburg PS
Winchester PS
Princess Margaret PS
Amherstburg PS
A V Graham PS
West Gate PS
Langton PS
Paris DHS
Corpus Christi Catholic SS
Holy Cross Catholic S
Our Lady of Fatima C Elem S
Our Lady of Victory S
Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic S
St. Mary C Elem S
St Timothy Sep S
Gladys Speers PS
J M Denyes PS
John T Tuck PS
Joshua Creek PS
Park PS
Sunningdale PS
Tom Thomson PS
Holy Name of Mary S
Precious Blood Sep S
St Boniface Sep S
Annunciation of Our Lord E S
Corpus Christi S
Immaculate Conception E S

Our Lady of Mount Carmel
St Bernadette S
St Eugenes S
St Patrick’s C Elem S
Nora Henderson SS
Royal St. George’s College
Cairine Wilson SS
W.O. Mitchell E S
Our Lady of Fatima E S
Sacred Heart HS
St. Gabriel E S
St Anthony E S
St Clare E S
St George E S
St Mark HS
St Michael (Corkery) E S
St Patrick E S
St Peter HS
St Rita E S
St Thomas More E S
Beatty-Fleming Sr PS
Burnt Elm PS
Glendale PS
Lorne Park PS
Marvin Heights PS
Sandalwood Heights SS
Treeline PS
R. H. Murray PS
Sacred Heart Sep S
Orchard Park E S
St Martin Catholic E S
All Saints CS
St Gabriel Catholic CS
St John CS
St John the Evangelist CS
St Lawrence CS
St Richard CS
St Timothy CS
Alexander Muir/Gladstone Ave Junior and Senior Public School
Balmy Beach Community School
Blake Street Junior Public School
Brian Public School
C D Farquharson Junior Public School
Central Toronto Academy
Churchill Public School
Clinton Street Junior Public School
Eastview Public School
Eatonville Junior School
Ernest Public School
Etobicoke School of the Arts
Fenside Public School
Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School
Frankland Community School
Golf Road Junior Public School
Heather Heights
Inglewood Heights Junior Public School
John Polanyi Collegiate Institute
John Wanless Public School
Kennedy Public School
King George Junior Public School
Kingsview Village Junior School
L’Amoreaux Collegiate Institute
Lambton Park Community School

Lester B Pearson Collegiate Institute
Malvern Junior Public School
Maryvale Public School
Military Trail Public School
Mill Valley Junior School
Palmerston Avenue Junior Public School
Park Lane Public School
Presteign Heights PS
Princess Margaret Junior School
Scarlett Heights Entrepreneurial Academy
Second Street Junior Middle School
Sir John A Macdonald Collegiate Institute
Stanley Public School
Sunnylea Junior School
Timberbank Junior Public School
Valley Park Middle School
Wedgewood Junior School
West Humber Collegiate Institute
Wexford Public School
White Haven Public School
William Tredway Junior Public School
York Humber High School
Harrisfield PS
John Wise PS
Drummond Central S
Lyn PS
Erin PS
John Black PS
Kortright Hills PS
Rickson Ridge PS
Westminster Woods PS
Holy Family C Elem S
Monsignor Doyle Catholic SS
Saint John Paul II C Elem S
St David Catholic SS
St Luke C Elem S
St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Elementary School
St Mary Catholic
Jacob Hespeler SS
Moffat Creek PS
St Agnes of Assisi Catholic E S
St Brendan CS
St Gabriel the Archangel CES
St Julia Billiart Catholic E S
St Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic E S
St Theresa of Lisieux CHS
St Veronica Catholic E S
Henderson Avenue PS
Herbert H Carnegie PS
Joseph A Gibson
Kettle Lakes PS
Mount Joy PS
O M MacKillop PS
Phoebe Gilman PS
Pleasantville PS
Poplar Bank PS
Prince Charles PS
Ross Doan PS
Stonebridge PS
Terry Fox PS
Wellington PS
Warden Avenue Public School

15 year schools

St Mary’s CHS
Sir Albert Love Catholic S
St Bernard Catholic S
St Christopher Catholic S
St Elizabeth Seton Catholic S
St John Bosco Catholic School
St Mary Catholic SS
Rosebank Road PS
Leamington DSS
Abbey Park HS
Ethel Gardiner PS
Holy Name of Mary Catholic Elementary School
St David S
Holy Cross Catholic SS
Our Lady of the Holy Rosary C Elem S
St Ann C Elem S (P)

St Anthony C Elem S
St Patrick C Elem S (NF)
St Anne E S
St Isidore E S
Holy Name of Mary SS
Roberta Bondar PS
St Mary E S
St Nicholas E S
Hillsdale E S
Agincourt Collegiate Institute
Allenby Junior Public School
Centennial Road Junior Public School
City Adult Learning Centre
Dallington Public School
Donwood Park Public School
Dovercourt Public School
Moraine Hills PS

Fern Avenue Junior and Senior Public School
Finch Public School
George S Henry Academy
Grenoble Public School
Harbord Collegiate Institute
Kipling Collegiate Institute
Leslieville Junior Public School
North Toronto Collegiate Institute
Owen Public School
Shaughnessy Public School
Willow Park Junior Public School
York Mills Collegiate Institute
Bluevale CI
St Robert Catholic HS
Markville SS

20 year schools

Cassandra Public School

Guildwood Junior Public School

Gledhill Junior Public School

Thank You!

We are incredibly grateful to the following dedicated groups for their continuous support of the EcoSchools program between 2023 and 2024

Finnovate
Fishing for Success
FoodCycler
Foundation for Environmental Education
General Motors Canada
Government of Canada
Green Communities Canada
Greenbelt Foundation
GreenLearning
GUEPE
Health Canada
iA Financial Group
Idée Éducation Entreprenariale
Keep Britain Tidy
KPMG Foundation
L’Oreal Canada
Laurentien
Level Studio
Moccasin Identifier
Monos
Mouvement ACTES – Centrale des syndicats du Québec
National Wildlife Federation
Natural Curiosity
Natural Resources Canada
Nutritower
OISE (University of Toronto)

Ontario Ministry of Francophone Affairs
Outdoor Learning Store
Pacific Museum of Earth
Pine Project
Planet in Focus
Plantaform
Procter & Gamble
RBC Tech for Nature
Roberta Bondar Foundation
SaskOutdoors
SK Films
Take Me Outside
TD Bank
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
TELUS Friendly Future Foundation
The Gaia Project
The Lo-TEK Institute
The United Nations Association in Canada
The Water Brothers
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority
Toronto District School Board
Tre Stelle
University of Toronto
WWF-Canada

EcoSchools Program Advisory

Committee (EPAC)

Anjali Hall, CSViamonde
Chara Benson, TRCA
Dr. Xavier Fazio, Brock University
Jenn Vetter, TDSB
Leandra Coore, DDSB
Olena Olafson, CBE
Rachel Irwin, HDSB
Ryan Dunne, TVDSB
Tanya Murray, YRDSB
Xena Biffert, CSSD

Finance Committee

Belinda Mark
Priscilla Leung
Evnah Ramiah

Board of Directors

Lindsay Bunce
Michelle Boutin
Bala Gnanam
Jeremy Lin
Jacob O’Connor
Ryan Silva
Raquel Fontaine
Christina Nestor
Barnaby Chan

Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

Izabelle, TDSB
Ainsley, TDSB
Jordyn, HWDSB
Jasmine, Independent School
Jerin, PDSB
Kaarhunyaa, OCSB
Darsveer, DSD
Sarah, YCDSB
Alex, YRDSB
Yasmine, YCDSB

EcoSchools Canada Team

Full time

Ayoub Hammoudi
Clara Luke
Courtney Clarke
Emilie Rayner
Erin Ring
Jose Marulanda
Poppy Burbidge
Ryan Dyment
Sidney Howlett
Sierra Frank
Theresa Ramirez

Part time

Aisha Zubair
Alejandro Ramos
Frédérique Guay
Malaika Collette
Rachel Fuller
René Daranjo

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