Press & Media
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EcoSchools loves a good story
Find key information and EcoSchools Canada updates below. For media inquiries, please contact:
Jose Marulanda | Communications Manager
outreach@ecoschools.ca
Relevant links
- Learn about EcoSchools Canada’s mission and vision on the Who We Are page.
- Discover where EcoSchools across Canada are located with our interactive map.
- EcoSchool stories: See current posts on the amazing environmental initiatives run in certified schools.
- Annual highlights: Our latest digital Annual Report shares the dish on the 2020-21 school year.
Photos & logos
Requests for EcoSchools Canada logos, as well as high resolution photos of EcoTeams and environmental activities in schools, can be emailed to outreach@ecoschools.ca.
Quick EcoSchools facts
- EcoSchools Canada’s award-winning certification program has provided independent, third-party verification for schools and outdoor education centres since 2002.
- In 2017, Ontario EcoSchools incorporated as EcoSchools Canada and became its own independent organization, receiving official charitable status six months later.
- We are the longest-standing bilingual, voluntary certification program in Canada that recognizes and celebrates schools for environmental learning and action.
- In 2019, EcoSchools Canada began a nationwide expansion to bring this successful program to school communities across the country.
- 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 closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
- As an Affiliate Member of FEE, EcoSchools Canada is part of a community of 67 other national EcoSchools programs around the globe.
- A third-party study indicates elementary Platinum EcoSchool students on average produce 57% less combined landfill waste than Non-EcoSchool students. Read the full report.
- Based on a 2017 research report by EnerLife Consulting, if all non-certified schools performed as well as EcoSchools on energy efficiency, overall greenhouse gas emissions would be reduced by an estimated 64,800 tonnes. Read the full report.
EcoSchools in the news
2023
July 9 – Area schools receive EcoSchool Certifications // BayToday Staff
July 6 – Bluewater District School Board Recognizes Award Recipients from 2022-23 School Year // Nathan Shubert
June 29 – School board celebrates EcoSchools certifications // CollingwoodToday Staff
June 27 – Nouvelon student environmental clubs get Ecoschool designation // Sudbury.com Staff
June 22 – Catholic board goes green as 18 schools gain EcoSchools certification // CambridgeToday Staff
June 21 – WCDSB Celebrates 18 Certified EcoSchools // Waterloo Catholic District School Board
June 8 – Students lead the conversation on a healthy and green Calgary at the 34th Mayor’s Environment Expo // City of Calgary
June 2 – Grimsby students leaving a ‘legaseed’ // Luke Edwards Grimsby Lincoln News
June 1 – Butterfly rangers at L’Envol // Alana Cameron
January 26 – One million students set to take climate action with Canada’s Forest Trust Corporation and EcoSchools Canada // Globe Newswire
2022
July 20 – Burlington Eco-Schools: Students lead, learn, help environment // Burlington Local-News
July 13 – Rainbow District School Board deserves accolades for EcoSchools // The Manitoulin Expositor
July 8 – St. Louis School granted Platinum status // KenoraOnline
July 1 – Rainbow Board achieves 100 per cent certification in EcoSchools Canada // CTV News Northern Ontario
June 27 – Twenty-two schools in Simcoe County, Barrie and Orillia recognized for environmental efforts by EcoSchools Canada // The Toronto Star
June 25 – Barrie schools recognized for sustainability // BarrieToday
June 24 – Sacred Heart Catholic School in Sarnia certified as a Gold EcoSchool // Newsdesk
June 22 – Manitoulin Secondary School, Central Manitoulin Public School both achieve top standing in national EcoSchool awards // The Manitoulin Expositor
May 26 – Manitoulin Island school wins cleanup challenge // My Espanola Now
April 20 – EcoSchools Canada is helping students across Canada track progress on the SDGs // CSI Network News
March 10 – EHS wins $500 grant from Learning for a Sustainable Future // Kirkland Lake Northern News
2021
December 21 – How these high-schoolers are teaching their community about climate change // TVO, Ontario Hubs
December 15 – How one northern Ont. school board is reducing its environmental footprint // CTV News, Sudbury
November 3 – Students and staff at Peel schools embrace tackling climate change // The Star, Mississauga
November 1 – New $70,000 funding aims to inspire students on green initiatives and make Halton schools more climate-resilient // The Star, Milton
October 31 – Rainbow board schools gain EcoSchools certification // Sudbury.com
October – EECOM goes virtual, becoming the largest bilingual conferencefor educators and environmentalists in North America // Alberta School Counsellor Magazine
July 11 – Rainbow board honours excellence in education // The Star, Sudbury
July 6 – Are Canadian schools raising climate-literate citizens? // Corporate Knights
July 6 – St. Louis Living Arts School earns EcoSchools Canada gold certification // Kenora Online
June 29 – Environmental efforts earn 3 Nouvelon schools EcoSchools Canada certification // Sudbury.com
June 29 – Guelph catholic school awarded highest certification from EcoSchools Canada for environmental efforts // The Toronto Star
June 21 – Collingwood schools recognized for environmental efforts // Collingwood Today
June 17 – Cuisiner local : le défi de l’école Cousteau // Radio – Canada (available only in French)
June 7 – School ‘green teams’ having a positive impact across Delta // Surrey Now-Leader
June 5 – Wheatland deemed only platinum school in Alberta // Strathmore Now
January 24 – Nanaimo students will don sweaters next week as part of energy-saving challenge // Nanaimo News Bulletin
January 14 – Nurturing environmental leadership in children // EcoParent Magazine
2020
October 23 – L’école Saint Mary’s Academy obtient la certification ÉcoÉcoles Canada // InfoWeekend
October 22 – Eco School inspires kids in South Algonquin // The Bancroft Times / The Star
July 9 – 4 Bradford schools earn ‘EcoSchool’ certification // Bradford Today
June 18 – Students rewarded for green initiatives // The Recorder & Times
June 15 – Une année verte pour les écoles du CEPEO // Conseil des écoles publiques de l’Est de l’Ontario (CEPEO)
June 13 – Orillia schools heralded for environmental commitment // Orillia Matters
June 12 – Fifty-six of Simcoe County’s public elementary and high schools get an eco-thumbs up // Barrie 360
February 13 – School boards join Climate Change Leaders partnership // The Brantford Expositor
February 11 – Mohawk College launches Climate Change Leaders partnership // MohawkNewsDesk.ca
February 7 – Here’s what you need to know about safe tap water consumption in Mississauga // Insauga.com
2019
December 23 – Sudbury-area school board honoured for eco-school efforts // The Sudbury Star
December 20 – La certification environnementale séduit de plus en plus d’écoles francophones en Ontario // Radio-Canada
December 20 – By the Numbers: Growing Eco-Education // Professionally Speaking
December 19 – Schools receive eco-designations // MyEspanolaNow.com
December 18 – Area schools receive Ontario EcoSchools certification // ElliotLakeToday.com
November 21 – Spotted! SodaStream brings the ocean to Square One // MediainCanada.com
November 8 – Watershed heroes, heroines: 2019 LSRCA award-winners // NewmarketToday.com
October 4 – Bishop Macdonell school in Cornwall earns eco platinum award // Cornwall Standard-Freeholder
October 1 – Rainbow board shows solidarity with activists by delcaring climate change emergency // Sudbury.com
September 29 – Sudbury school board declares climate emergency // Kingston Whig Standard
September 27 – Rainbow District School Board declares climate emergency and commits to further action // Manitoulin Expositor
September 26 – Outdoor classroom bring students closer to environment // Woodstock Sentinel-Review
September 26 – Finalists announced for 2019 Nature Inspiration Awards from Canadian Museum of Nature; Ceremony on November 13, 2019 // Yahoo.com
September 26 – Bell Park comes alive with cries for climate change action // Sudbury.com
September 26 – EcoSchools Canada aims to support students across the country beyond Global Climate Action Week
September 25 – Green-thumbed London students celebrate National Tree Day // Global News
September 20 – Carton Recycling in Canada: How Can We Do Better? // Solid Waste Magazine
September 18 – How to raise a green kid without freaking them out // Today’s Parent
August 15 – London teacher awarded for green efforts at Jack Chambers Public School // CBC News
July 15 – SMCDSB EcoSchools Going Green for the Gold // SMCDSB
July 15 – Here’s Why Close to 50 Halton Schools Were Recently Recognized // InHalton
July 12 – Central Manitoulin Public School recognized as Ontario EcoSchools platinum level school // Manitoulin Expositor
July 12 – Rainbow schools getting greener // The Sudbury Star
July 9 – Rainbow Schools among fastest growing with EcoSchools certification // My Algoma Manitoulin Now
June 26 – Ontario EcoSchools certification achieved by 47 Halton District School Board schools // HDSB
June 26 – St. Joseph-Scollard Hall receives special recognition with Gold level status as an Ontario EcoSchool // Bay Today
June 25 – PVNC schools earn Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze designations as Ontario EcoSchools // PVNCCDSB
June 25 – Tomato seeds from the International Space Station now growing in Stittsville // Stittsville Central
June 24 – More Than Half of GEDSB Schools Receive EcoSchool Certification // Norfolk Today
June 24 – Eco-friendly schools in Norfolk // Simcoe Reformer
June 20 – All WCDSB schools earn environmental designation // The Observer
June 20 – One hundred per cent of schools in UGDSB certify as an EcoSchools for second year // Wellington Advertiser
June 20 – Saint-Viateur School in Limoges achieves platinum certification through Ontario EcoSchools // Nation Valley News
June 19 – Record number of WECDSB recognized as EcoSchools // Windsor Star
June 19 – Simcoe County Public Schools ‘Eco-Friendly’ // Barrie 360
June 19 – 17 Northwestern Schools certify as Ontario EcoSchools // Net News Ledger
June 19 – All Upper Grand DSB schools certify as EcoSchools // Blackburn News
June 19 – Guelph schools get an A in environment // Guelph Mercury Tribune
June 13 – All 48 WCDSB Schools Officially Certified as Ontario EcoSchools! // Exchange Magazine
June 12 – Catholic school board goes green, is 100 per cent eco-friendly // Kitchener Today
June 7 – YourTV recognizes Youth Achievements // Cornwall Seaway News
June 6 – Mindfully Disposing of the Unrecyclable // Alternatives Journal
May 4 – Schools planning for a shady future // The Catholic Register
April 8 – CDSBEO EcoSchools – Stewards of the Earth // The North Grenville Times
April 5 – How these kids are cutting down on clothing waste // CBC Marketplace
February 11 – Renfrew county schools have more to do in fighting climate change // Inside Ottawa Valley
2018
November 26 – Pupils at Montague Public School plant 600 flower bulbs in their school garden // Inside Ottawa Valley
November 22 – Kente School Garden // The Times
October 29 – Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup returns to Grimsby // Niagara This Week
October 17 – Villanova Recognized As Gold EcoSchool // WindsoriteDOTca News
October 16 – St. Thomas of Villanova high school recognized as an EcoSchool // Windsor Star
October 1 – Port Hope’s Trinity College School ‘Greenest in Canada’ // Northumberland News
September 28 – Trinity College School in Port Hope is Canada’s Greenest School // KawarthaNOW
September 19 – Zéro-déchets : un programme dans les écoles // Radio-Canada (en français)
September 19 – Le programmes ÉcoÉcoles dans 121 écoles francophones // Radio-Canada (en français)
September 10 – Students working to save planet one plastic fork at a time // CBC News
September 3 – Ever heard of a boomerang lunch? // CBC Radio
July 21 – Halton Hills schools going green with Ontario EcoSchools // The IFP
July 11 – Seventeen schools qualify as EcoSchools // TBNewsWatch.com
July 9 – Class Action // Alternatives Journal
July 10 – 17 Northwestern Ontario Schools Certify as EcoSchools // NetNewsLedger.com
July 6 – St. Francis French Immersion receives eco-school certification // SooToday.com
July 6 – Two Bluewater District Schools Certified as EcoSchools // BlackburnNews.com
July 3 – Rainbow fastest growing boards in Ontario with EcoSchools certification // MyEspanolaNow.com
July – A passion for action: How custodians drive EcoSchools success // Ontario School Plant Manager Magazine
June 27 – Green Schools Recognized // Intelligencer.ca
June 25 – Area elementary schools turn green to platinum // Intelligencer.ca
June 20 – Gold level status for St. Joseph-Scollard Hall // BayToday.ca
June 20 – Kente celebrated for EcoSchool accomplishment // The Picton Gazette
June 20 – 36 WCDSB Schools Certify with Ontario EcoSchools // Exchange Magazine
June 16 – Area schools earn 53 Ontario EcoSchool certifications // Orillia Matters
June 16 – Area schools earn 53 Ontario EcoSchool certifications // Bradford Today
June 14 – Upper Grand first public school board in Ontario to earn full eco certification // CBC Kitchener-Waterloo
June 12 – More Guelph schools getting eco certified // Guelph Mercury Tribune
June 4 – Geography teacher of the month: Terri Munn // Canadian Geographic
May 14 – Raising awareness one drain at a time // NiagaraThisWeek.com
Mar 21 – Compost program in Barrie EcoSchool // CBC Ontario Morning
March 14 – Eco-friendly Ajax school in the running to win $20,000 // Durhamregion.com
January 25 – School ground greening // The Grindstone
January 11 – Rainbow schools challenged to do energy conservation review // Sudbury.com
2017
November 6 – Pupils at Montague Public School plant 600 flower bulbs in their school garden // Inside Ottawa Valley
November 5 – Maple Grove Public School receives Healthy Lands Award // Barrie Today
November 2 – Pumpkin drive packs a punch for pigs // Kingston Heritage
October 31 – Simcoe County District School Board revisiting environmental policy // The Barrie Examiner
October 31 – Humberview Secondary School students ‘planting for change’ // Caledon Entreprise
July 10 – Two North Bay schools receive environmental awards // My North Bay Now
July 7 – Schools awarded for being green // North Bay Nugget
July 7 – EcoSchools Certification For Three Bruce-Grey Schools // Blackburn News
July 3– Schools answer eco challenge // Kingston Whig-Standard
June 28 – Catholic board achieves eco status // The Hamilton Spectator
June 28 – Burlington public high school achieves highest Eco-Schools certification // Inside Halton
June 27 – Twelve UCDSB schools certified with Ontario EcoSchools // Inside Ottawa Valley
June 24 – Students at Clearview Meadows in Stayner find it easy being green // Simcoe.com
June 23 – Fund puts Ontario schools on path to green future // The Catholic Register
June 22 – Green gets school certified // Belleville Intelligencer
June 22 – City waits for water to recede to assess shoreline damage // Hamilton Spectator (St Marguerite D’Youville CES, HWCDSB)
June 20 – Primrose School Certified an EcoSchool // Bayshore Broadcasting
June 19 – Orangeville and Shelburne Schools Among Those Certified as EcoSchools for 2017 // Jewel 88.5FM
June 16 – Nearly 60 local schools are eco-friendly // CTV Windsor (GECDSB, WECDSB)
June 16 – Windsor-Essex schools going green // I Heart Radio
June 15 – NCDSB receives 100% Ecoschools certification for 8th straight year // Erie Media
June 15 – Catholic school board environmentally conscious // Welland Tribune (NCDSB)
June 14 – Clarington Catholic school board ranked third most energy-efficient in Ontario // Metroland: Durham Region (PVNCCDSB)
June 14 – Painting the schools green // The Barrie Examiner
June 14 – 44 Simcoe County schools certified green // Barrie Today
June 13 – SJSH is now a Gold-level Ontario EcoSchool // KISS 100.5
June 13 – Scollard Hall strikes gold // North Bay Nugget
May 25 – Sudbury students learning to go green, conserve energy // Sudbury.com – Northern Life
May 24 – School garden grows hope, happiness // Kingston Whig-Standard
May 24 – Ingraining environmentally conscious behaviour, Sudbury school lauded by the province for its work(video) // CTV News, Northern Ontario
April 25 – Forage 2017: It’s a wrap–Bale wrap innovations work to solve ranchers’ problems // Tri-State Livestock News
April 19 – Spring Into Clean Earth Day // The Barrie Examiner
April – Earth Week Challenge, ft. DSBN schools // Niagara – COCEGO TV
March 15 – Mississauga School Scores Finalist Spot in Prestigious Competition // InSauga
January 27 – Barrie schools embrace green ideas // The Barrie Examiner
January 30 – Step by step, schools push to get kids walking // Toronto Star
Winter 2017 – Young Sprouts // Alternatives Journal
2016
Fall/Winter – Facilities Managers lead Durham Catholic DSB to 100 per cent Ontario EcoSchools Certification // Ontario Plant Manager
November 26 – Eco education changing climate inside Dufferin County schools // Orangeville Banner
November 2 – Taking out the trash: Grade 8 classes clean up creek in Grimsby // Niagara This Week
October 13 – Valley Heights wants your e-waste // Simcoe Reformer
October 7 – Putting best foot forward // The Intelligencer (Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board)
October 7 – U of T Engineering student team competes at Green Energy Challenge finals // U of T Engineering News (University of Toronto Schools)
September 28 – Nobel Farm to School grant great news // Parry Sound North Star
September 6 – Litterless lunch: Healthier eats, cheaper treats and earth friendly too // National Post (Toronto)
September 1 – The World Outdoors: Course helps mould environmentalists // London Free Press
August 29 – How Ontario EcoSchools are nurturing EcoLeaders // Green Moms Collective
July 7 – Eco Schools recognized // The Sudbury Star
July 6 – Quaker Road Public School top of green class // Niagara This Week
June 29 – Five Halton public schools achieve EcoSchools Platinum status // Inside Halton
June 27 – Board proud to announce EcoSchool certifications for 52 schools // Halton District School Board
June 25 – Budding environmentalists at St. Joseph’s // Tilsonburg News
June 15 – EcoSchools // CTV Northern Ontario
June 15 – Hanmer students’ love of the earth nets them recogition // Sudbury.com
June 15 – PJ is certified platinum eco-school // (Pauline Johnson Collegiate) Brantford Expositor
June 10 – More than 20 Simcoe County District School Board schools recognized for green initiatives // The Barrie Examiner
June 10 – County schools recognized for eco-leadership // (Victoria Terrace Public School and Erin Public School) The Wellington Advertiser
June 8 – Ontario EcoSchools have awarded two local elementary schools Gold certification // (Nobel Public School and Humphrey Public School) Parry Sound News
May 31 – St. Marguerite wins Community in Motion School of the Year Award // (St. Marguerite d’Youville Catholic Elementary School)
May 21 – Eco Action At LDSS Gets Attention // (Leamington District Secondary School) Blackburn News
May 20 – Students ready to prove their eco-worthiness // (Humphrey Public School) Parry Sound North Star
May 4 – Schools recognized for environmental efforts // (Grand Erie Learning Alternatives and King George School) Brantford Expositor
May 4 – Pulling for Platinum // (Cairine Wilson) Orléans Star
May 2 – Wasaga students take part in shoreline cleanup // (Birchview Dunes) Simcoe.com
April 26 – Follow the yellow fish road: Grimsby school highlights importance of keeping waterways clean // (Central Public School) Niagara This Week
April 26 – Brantford school come up green // (Grand Erie Learning Alternatives; King George Public School) Brant News
April 22 – Students build teamwork in the great outdoors // (Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic DSB) Intelligencer
March 14 – Going to EcoSchool // (Holy Cross Secondary School) Peterborough Examiner
February 23 – Teens committed to going green // (Delhi District Secondary School) Simcoe Reformer
2015
November – Notre Dame students clean up the Welland Canal // Welland Tribune
October 20 – Celebrating conservation heroes // Bradford Times
September 11 – St. George’s in Long Sault now an ‘EcoSchool’ // Cornwall Seaway News
June 23 – Niagara Catholic schools maintain 100% EcoSchools certification // Welland Tribune
May 13 – The environment is everyone’s responsibility // Hamilton Community News
April 20 – Burlington school helping to turn old markers into fuel // Inside Halton.com
April 17 – Pickering’s Dunbarton High named Greenest School on Earth // Huffington Post
April 15 – Pickering High School named “Greenest School on Earth” // Global TV
April 15 – Students Get Eco-Friendly // Simcoe Reformer
March 6 – Green is the new black at Notre Dame // Niagara This Week
March 3 – Port Hope’s St. Anthony Catholic Elementary School praised for energy conservation // Northumberland News
March 3 – Video: Port Hope EcoSchool TVCOGECO Cobourg/Port Hope
March 3 – Minister of Bob Chiarelli visits Ontario EcoSchool // Northumberland View
March 3 – Port Hope school’s eco work lauded // Northumberland Today
February 10 – School rooftop solar panels generating revenue for solar companies, school board // Ottawa Metro News
February 9 – Thériault taking steps to go green // TimminsPress.com
January 29 – W.R. Best learns to waste less // OrilliaPacket.com
2014
November 19 – Chris Hadfield visits Kingston students via Skype // KingstonRegion.com
October 31 – Sharon Public School eco team needs your vote // YorkRegion.com
October 26 – Pickering school receives platinum EcoSchool award // DurhamRegion.com
July 8 – St. Mary School recognized with eco certification // MukokaRegion.com
June 26 – Midland’s Monsignor Castex School earns environmental certification // Simcoe.com
June 16 – Crossley Receives National Eco-Award // Welland Tribune
June 12 – Six Local Catholic Schools Earn EcoSchools Status // Waterloo Record
June 11 – Terry Fox school in Barrie receives top marks in environmental education // Barrie Examiner
Spring 2014 – Recognizing Schools for their Commitment to the Environment // Ontario School Plant Manager