Become a certified EcoSchool in NL!

Join the EcoSchools movement and lead your school towards environmental excellence. Registration for the 2024-25 school year is now open!

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Hey Newfoundland and Labrador! Ready to embark on an eco-journey?

Join a thriving community of schools committed to sustainability and environmental education. Our innovative and bilingual certification program is free for publicly funded schools, it helps to incentivize, track and reward environmental actions that reduce energy and waste, raise awareness and incorporate environmental learning into curriculum.

EcoSchools Teachers Conference

November 13, 2024 | Grand Falls Windsor, NL

Are you an educator located in, or close to, Grand Falls-Windsor? Register for this free professional learning opportunity to bring environmental learning and action into your classroom.
Date:
  • Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Location:
  • Grand Falls Golf Club
Free Professional Learning:
  • Substitute coverage provided
  • Lunch provided
  • Limited travel reimbursement available

Book a free action workshop at your school!

Kick-off sustainability in your school with more than just a presentation. Take part in an EcoSchools Action Workshop to learn how students can take tangible steps to foster environmental action and learning at your school!
Please note that the workshops are only available in St. John’s Metro Area.

Workshop

Time & Location

Description

School Ground Biodiversity

Most appropriate for:
Grades 3-12

Location:
Nearby Outdoor Location

Students engage with scientific inquiry by collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from their school grounds. This outdoor activity will invite students to identify native and invasive species, and explore the value of biodiversity. This activity fosters environmental stewardship on the school ground and beyond.

GOOS Paper

Most appropriate for:
Grades 2-6

Location:
Classroom

Students interrupt the typical paper consumption pathway in their classroom by designing and creating a bin to collect GOOS (Good On One Side) paper. This creative and interactive workshop will empower students by making an immediate difference on paper consumption.

Eco-Friendly Foods

Most appropriate for:
Grades 6-12

Location:
Kitchen or Classroom

Students explore the world of food sustainability with a recipe made using locally sourced ingredients. If there is kitchen access, students get hands-on experience cooking, otherwise, they participate in a tasting activity. Requires at least 90 minutes

Presented in collaboration with Fishing for Success. Availability limited.

Sit Spot

Most appropriate for:
Grades K-6

Location:
Nearby Outdoor Location

Students are guided through a “sit spot” practice, to connect with nature and the opportunity to fully focus on their observations and be in the present moment. This activity fosters a profound connection to the outdoors, nurturing the development of environmentally conscious citizenship.

Congratulations!

St. Kevin’s Junior High

Winner of our Field Trip Contest to the Island Rooms of Petty Harbour! 

EcoSchools Program FAQ

Each year, you collaborate with key members of your school community (students, teachers, school administrators, custodians, and parents/guardians, etc.) to create an action plan and apply for certification by completing the actions outlined in the plan.  Schools build an EcoTeam to accomplish each action and the results of each action are recorded in the online EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) to earn points. At the end of the school year, your certification application is assessed and a certification level ranging from Bronze to Platinum is awarded.

For more information, check out the Certification Guide and the What is Certification? page.

First, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the program: What is Certification?

Once you’re familiar with the program, the next step will be to register on the EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) platform. See: New users – How to register

Then, you will be able to review the various EcoSchools actions and start curating your plan for the year.

The EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) platform is where all schools start their EcoSchools applications each year. The application houses over 50 environmental and climate change actions with corresponding resources, and provides you the opportunity to curate a unique action plan that can be updated and revised throughout the year.

Schools and boards that have certified with the EcoSchools program in the past will notice the ECA offers a new and refreshed online application and certification experience.

The ECA is the culmination of over three years of consultation and development with stakeholders in the education and environment sectors and has led to a more flexible, customizable, data-driven, and accessible certification platform.

Key features of the ECA:

  • The application is intuitive, easy to navigate, and more streamlined than ever before.
  • There is no limit on the number of members that can be added to a school’s application, making collaboration between students, teachers, and other school community members easier than ever.
  • Schools can develop their own yearly plan to meet the unique needs, interests, and priorities of their school and community.
  • Schools can select from, and engage in, more than 50 environmental actions. From Pollinator Garden to Reduce Harmful Single-use Plastics; from Active and Sustainable School Travel to Create Your Own Action.
  • All actions are connected to curriculum, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, as well as relevant worksheets and resources.
  • The platform tracks tailored and shareable metrics (such as waste diversion and greenhouse gas emissions) through a distinct Impact page.
  • Schools track their impact over time on the platform and can compare their journey to other schools across the country.

Throughout the school year, schools complete actions in their online application and earn points towards their certification. The depth and extent of these completed environmental actions will determine the school’s final certification level.

There are four levels of certification a school can achieve: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Any school that creates a plan on the EcoSchools Certification Application but is unable to submit for certification (a minimum of 50 points) will be recognized as a Participant school.

When a school becomes a certified EcoSchool, they receive a digital certification seal that reflects their certification level. This seal can be displayed on a school’s website and social media accounts, in newsletters, in email signatures, and more.

Certification is free for all publicly-funded schools in Canada.

Independent/private schools pay an annual fee to apply for certification and access the online EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA). This fee enables access to curriculum-linked resources and certification recognition materials. The annual fee also provides schools with access to certification support throughout the year from EcoSchools Canada staff.

School boards/districts can pay a small annual fee to become a Member Board or District, which includes access to an EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) administrator account, support tools and resources, and enhanced certification support and guidance from EcoSchools Canada staff. Visit the Board/District Membership page for more information.

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