CONTENTS
January 1995
First School in Metro Toronto To Build A Pond!
-approval
-planning
-creation
-results
-suggestions
-benefits
-resources
Brock District High School Naturalizes
Jim and Dave's Awsome Search for the Golden Toad
Congratulations R.H. Cornish!
The Pumphouse Marsh Has Been Adopted!
FIRST SCHOOL IN MEtrO TORONTO TO BUILD A POND!!
"Boys and girls and teachers - Guess what?" - This was the beginning of an announcement delivered over the P.A. system by four grade 5 students at A.S. Taylor P.S. on April 8, 1993. This announcement heralded the realization of the school's long-awaited dream of creating a schoolyard wetlands habitat. Later on that year, A.S. Taylor Jr. P.S. became the first school in Metropolitan Toronto to build a pond on its property.
A.S. Taylor had become an environmentally focussed school approximately four years earlier with simple activities like learning songs and presenting dances with an environmental theme to promote recycling, re-using and reducing around the school. Efforts became more complex when they developed a habitat restoration project, comprised of native plant species, in the schoolyard. It was the success of this, that motivated the staff to further explore the creation of this wetlands ecosystem.
The first challenge for Gary Morris and Renay Weissman was to obtain the approval and support of the principal at the time, Dick Dean. Initially, he was concerned about liability issues. Acquiring his assistance, they then sought the Associate Superintendents commitment, as well as the aid of the Environmental Co-ordinator for the Scarborough Board of Education, Ken Andrews. After the writing of many letters and proposals, the pond was finally approved as a pilot project of the Scarborough Board. Its' success has sparked interest at numerous schools in Scarborough. Indeed, two schools will complete their own ponds this spring.
To facilitate the planning and creation of the pond and to increase the educational value of the project, the staff felt that the community needed a more active involvement with existing wetlands. And so, prior to the scheduled digging date in June, they arranged excursions to Milne Dam Park, Colonel Danforth Park and a local railway line's temporary marsh. Guest speakers like Lesley Price from the Kortright Centre and Lorraine Giza, the former coordinator of the Adopt-A-Pond programme accompanied various classes throughout the year on their visits to these areas. As well as this, they presented lessons and set up displays for the children (and teachers) back at the school. Much of this was offered on a volunteer basis and as Renay Weissman remarks "The support from the community was inspirational". She describes the two day visit to Milne Dam as "exciting and motivating, despite the cold, blustery winds and snow. Those of us who were new to trekking through the fields in the middle of winter, were truly amazed at the flora and fauna still clinging to life. The children were excited by animal tracks, the half eaten vole was a highlight, while the glimpse of winter birds warmed our frozen fingers and toes. We focussed on the sights and sounds of that peaceful place, so different from the barren suburban landscape back at school."
Meanwhile, back at the school, the grade sixes were researching the animals that depend on wetlands for their survival by making use of the many kinds of resources that were made available, from magazines to encyclopedias. "We were amazed at how many different species there were." With this new information, they designed murals about wetlands to be painted on hallway walls. Money was channeled into the library funds to acquire age appropriate non-fiction material so that the younger children could study selected topics pertaining to the wetlands theme.
There were guest speakers, like Bill Ivy, a naturalist photographer and author, who delighted staff and students alike with his animated anecdotes and poignant slides of wetland moments and Marg Both, a herpetologist, who brought live amphibians and reptiles into the classrooms.
The pond was dug using a back-hoe, equipment and human-power provided by the Plant Department of the Board of Education. In fact, Renay is quick to say that a project of this kind cannot and should not be undertaken without the knowledge and assistance of these people. The older students helped wherever is was feasible and so did the teachers!
After the pond was shaped, a PVC liner was placed by the grade sixes who said that this felt like a physical education class using a parachute. Afterwards, all the classes took turns forming a protective layer of sand on the liner before the boulders were placed. Large boulders were acquired to dissuade children form wandering into the pond itself. It was now ready to be filled. All classes were invited to view this momentous occasion as well as assist in the planting of the pond plants, which occurred a few days later.
A path was laid by the environmental group called the Green Kid Club using wood chips available from the Plant Department, to protect newly planted seedlings, and then the official opening ceremony was planned.
The guests included the school's trustee, and associate superintendent, representatives of Canada Trust, who donated funds towards the project, and the Environmental Curriculum coordinator. The principal delivered a speech and representatives of the Green Kid club dedicated the pond while younger children released the amphibians that they had been caring for in their classrooms, into the pond.
Over a year has passed and the school has witnesses a growing connection to the community with the formation of Pond Watch that is run during the summer by the custodial staff and parents. Families take weekly turns at checking the water level, growth of the plants and dealing with vandalism, of which there has been very tittle. The children are more committed to taking responsibility for the environmental activities that occur within the school and have more to offer when they attend outdoor education facilities like Kearney, Scarborough's Outdoor education School or day excursions to Hillside, just north of the zoo.
Many suggests that schools take a number of factors into consideration before building their pond. First, research the different types of wetlands to discern which would best suit your needs and would be closest to what would be most natural to the area. The second area of concern would be to decide if you wish your wetlands to last year round or only for part of the season. This will determine what kind of liner you should acquire. Picov's Water Garden and Nursery in Pickering sells good quality liners. Another important aspect of a project of this sort, is to secure as much support and involvement of the community as possible.
One of the obvious benefits of having a pond in your schoolyard is that it adds a living classroom to the school environment. This year, the teachers at A.S. Taylor were able to make use of the flourishing amphibian population, the very fertile water snail community, a myriad of bird ans the community of thriving plants to augment cross-curricular activities. A number of students explained "We have learned so much more as a result of our pond, and we are helping animals at the same time!"
Although having a pond in your schoolyard need not be a question of aesthetics, it does add natural beauty to an environment that is usually quite dreary. Renay commented that " Often when a child has been stressed, I have sent them out to the pond area which I can see from my classroom. This acts as a tranquilizer! I have even applied this prescription to myself!"
Future Projects
Now that the pond is well established, there are a number of plans for the 1994/95 school year. An attempt to insulate the pond using siphoning to create a vacuum under the ice will be part of a Junior level technology unit and classes will study hibernation. In addition, the Green Kid Club will grow plants and germinate water plants with cuttings taken from the existing growth.
The school kept a running record of the creation of the pond using videotape and this has been compiled with student narration into the story of the pond. This video and one produced by the Scarborough Board of Education are available from Renay Weissman at the school. There is also an excellent Habitat Restoration binder written by Ed Simpson available.
QUOTES:
1. "I remember when we had to dig a deep hole in the ground. I remember when
I planted plants beside the pond. We learned it was a fragile place. I
remember when I tried to push a rock into the pond when I was in grade three."
by: Kevin Lee
2. "I remember that our school wanted a pond for different kinds of animals
and insects to come and live in the pond. And over the past few years many
kinds of animals came to the pond and habitat. The pond is also good to the
environment and it also lets birds and other creatures live a normal life."
by: Michelle
3. "One of the three things I learned about the pond is that the rocks are
for the animals to hide when people come. The second thing I learned about
the pond is that it was made for all sorts of animals, and the third thing I
learned was that the plants were made for the animals."
by: Tiffany Li
BROCK DIStrICT HIGH SCHOOL NATURAliZES
On June 8 of 1994, Brock District High School celebrated the official opening of their schoolyard habitat. The school is environmentally focused participating in eco-fairs, tree plantings, student conducted energy audits, and the replacement of paper dishware with ceramic ones in the cafeteria. Their latest effort includes a habitat consisting of a two tiered pond, a garden of indigenous perennials attracting butterflies and birds, bird feeders and houses, and bat houses. Brian Robert, the head of the geography department at Brock District High School explains "I got most of the ideas and the initial inspiration to conduct this project from a workshop given by the Adopt-A-Pond programme".
Brock District High Schools wetland habitat is the result of twenty months of planning and work done by the school's geography, art, science and technological studies departments. The habitat is located in a courtyard which was previously used by smokers, but now provides an overflow area where students can sit outdoors, relax and enjoy the scenery while they have lunch. Congratulations on your efforts in wetland and amphibian conservation!
Editor's Note: If your school has a choice, we do not recommend that you build your wildlife habitat in a courtyard as it is difficult for wildlife to move in and out of these areas.
JIM AND DAVE'S AWESOME SEARCH FOR THE GOLDEN TOAD
Jim and Dave are looking forward to their March break. While they are comparing their awesome hockey card collections, Jim brags to Dave about the value of his rare Bobby Hull, "The Golden Jet," card. Dave figures it couldn't be worth as much as the even more rare Golden toad, and to prove his point, he takes Jim to the zoo to examine the creature in question. At the enclosure, they discover that the toad has escaped! The two gnarly dudes set out to capture the beast and claim the reward.
With the help of some totally awesome bikes, our heroes embark on an even more awesome adventure than their famous "ENVIRONMENTAL" trip. Jim and Dave find themselves circling the globe, learning about the many creatures that are threatened with extinction and the dire consequences of species loss. The tragic realization that their Golden toad is gone forever convinces them to become champions of a new cause -- to let others know of the ecological, medical and environmental perils associate with the disappearance of our animals and plants.
Written by JAMES GORDON and DAVID ARCHIBALD as the sequel to their popular "AWESOME ENVIRONMENTAL ADVENTURE", the show features a talented pair of actor/musicians. With fast-paced humor and another outstanding collection of original songs, they reveal positive ways that the audience can help to protect threatened flora and fauna. Jim and Dave demonstrate that unless we take better care of the world around us, the next endangered species will be the human race! At the close of the 50-minute production, each sponsor is presented with a poster from CANWILD, a charitable organization dedicated to preserving Canadian endangered species.
bookings or more information call:
Sue Richards
SGB Productions
Box 714
Guelph, ON.
N1H 6L3
tel: (519) 767-0142
fax: (519) 824-9289
Additional Information:
Audience size: Up to 400
Target Age: 8 to 14
Bookings: Available March through May of 1995
Other shows: Jane and Dave's Awesome Environmental Adventure
Students and teachers at R.H. Cornish public school in Port Perry were proud to receive their third award for transforming their schoolyard into a wildlife habitat. This past June, R.H. Cornish was presented with the Ontario Horticultural Associations ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD at a banquet held at Brock University. R.H. Cornish has received awards from the Durham Board of Education "Looking Good" contest, and the Canadian Wildlife Federation's "Habitat 2000" award. Rob Ferguson, a teacher at R.H. Cornish, designed their wildlife habitat to support a large number of animal species. Careful consideration was given to building the pond and planting surrounding vegetation. Their habitat has been successful in attracting bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and a number of amphibian species. Congratulations and keep up the good work!
THE PUMPHOUSE MARSH HAS BEEN ADOPTED!!
Congratulations to Bob Freeman's Grade 5 class from Lakewoods Public School in Oshawa for the adoption of the Pumphouse Marsh on June 13, 1994. The marsh is surrounded by three schools, one of which is Lakewoods P.S. Bob Freeman's Grade 5 class has accepted the ongoing responsibility of looking after the Marsh to the best of their abilities. To date, they have kept the marsh shoreline free of litter, and have provided bird and other animal shelter in the tall grass surrounding the marsh. In addition, Bob Freeman's students act as community voices who understand the fragile balances needed to keep the Marsh viable.
Within the same month, the Minister of the Environment, Bud Wildman, presented a certificate to Lakewoods for their numerous pro-active environmental activities. Some of these activities include vermi-culture, organic composting, recycling, litterless lunches and landscaping our school property. Keep up the good work!