New Westminster Secondary School ENVIRONMENT CLUB

BC Green Games 2014

The New Westminster Secondary School Environment Club has had a long-standing commitment to protecting and preserving the environment. We achieve this through direct action and awareness initiatives inside the school, and in our community. We are consistantly recognized for our environmental work; in April, 2013, our school was featured on Shaw Cable’s Earth Day special!

Link: (NWSS at 4:08) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh2dwVzu8Ak

DIRECT ACTION: WASTE MANAGEMENT

Our school is aiming to divert as much waste possible from the landfills, and so far we have taking significant steps to do so:

-paper towel composting in all bathrooms-battery recycling-small, contained bokashi compost bins in multiple teacher

classrooms-waste disposal signs-100% compostable cafeteria

BOKASHI BINSThis student initiative was brought forth with the aim of diverting classroom waste from the landfills, as previously compost bins were only present in the cafeteria. A new, Environment Club-funded addition to our waste management program, bokashi bins are indoor-friendly compost bins that make use of Terra-Biosa microbe mix, which ferments the organic waste instead of allowing it to rot. The remaining biomass can then be added to our school garden as fertilizer. There are bins in several teacher classrooms, as well as staffrooms.

Our 100% Compostable Cafeteria!

In the fall of 2013, the NWSS cafeteria was pleased to announce that all cafeteria-ware (cutlery, plates, coffee cups, soup bowls…) is compostable!

DIRECT ACTION: BEEKEEPINGThere is a honeybee colony on the rooftop of our school which is tended by volunteer staff and students. The bees pollinate greenery in the area, and produce honey which is sold un-pasteurized for fundraising purposes. Having bees also effectively raises awareness about endangered honeybees, and allows students to assist first-hand in the preservation of their species.

DIRECT ACTION: OUR GARDEN

Our school has a garden which is tended by student and staff volunteers. In the past, the vegetables have gone to our cafeteria, and to local food banks. This project aims to increase plant abundance, and above all educate students about sustainable food practices. Currently, we are developing an intergenerational community garden project in partnership with the City of New Westminster and other community organizations.

DIRECT ACTION: AUSPENSWith money from fundraisers and contests, the NWSS Environment Club has funded multiple of Auspens: eco-friendly dry-erase white board markers that can be refilled with vegetable-based ink. Trials were run to test teacher’s satisfaction with the product, as well as to determine the economic and waste sustainability in a school setting. Teachers were very satisfied with the product, as it is a much better alternative to disposing of “one marker a week”.

AWARENESS: Defend our Future

On February 3rd, 2014, a group of NWSS students went to local MLA Judy Darcy’s office to discuss BC’s legislated carbon targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 33% by the year 2020.

DEFEND OUR FUTURE: PHOTOS

Some students went inside the MLA office to obtain Ms. Darcy’s signed commitment to the BC 2020 Climate Action Targets, while others remained outside the office creating chalk art.

AWARENESS: EcoFEST

EcoFEST is an entirely student-founded and organized event, with the mission to make make environmental volunteer environmental volunteer opportunities and issues opportunities and issues accessible to youth in a fun, accessible to youth in a fun, welcoming environment. welcoming environment. The festivities include live music, fundraising games and activities, and booths from local environmental organizations and businesses. Planning for the 2nd annual ecoFEST is underway!

AWARENESS: ATHABASCA CHIPEWYAN LAWSUIT FUNDRAISER

Wildlife cupcakes baked by students

Environment Club members held a bake sale to help donate to the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation’s legal battle against Shell Oil regarding the Jackpine oil sands expansion. This was a unique cause as it encompassed both environmental and resource protection, as well as human rights.

AWARENESS: OPEN TALKS ON CURRENT ISSUESGuest speakers, staff, and students have the opportunity to give presentations on issues important to them. Talks take place in the NWSS library, and everyone is welcome. As an added tidbit, The Environment Club provides organic and ethical refreshments to guests.

PAST PROJECTS

Annual chum salmon raise and releaseFundraising for a residential wind turbine (it is now up and running, hooked up to batteries to power a set of lights)

The Environment Club members are constantly bringing forth creative,

innovative projects on how to reduce our school’s ecological footprint and protect the biosphere. Any additional funds will be invaluable in helping us

carry on our tradition of green excellence.

THANK YOU FOR VOTING FOR US!