Vision

Our Be the Change group has undertaken a project to beautify an outdoor area in the front of our school with sustainability as the main focus. We currently have a small outdoor seating area with two benches that is in need of some TLC. We have decided to take the project on, but to focus on sustainable materials and landscaping. Students have been in contact with BC ocean cleanup organization, Ocean Legacy, who turn collected and recycled ocean plastics into sustainable plastic lumber. We are hoping to purchase 2 benches made from recycled ocean plastics. In addition, we would like to add flower beds that focus on either attracting butterflies/bees to the area OR that are focused on local indigenous plants. Students feel that having this visible sustainability project can lead to conversations around important environmental topics and could inspire other students in the school and community members to learn more about how they can make a positive environmental impact.

Action

Students will be in regular contact with Ocean Legacy in order to understand their processes for creating the benches. This will allow students to explain and discuss where the benches came from and why it is important.
Students will research indigenous plants that are local to the area/butterfly gardens in order to plant and maintain a garden area around the benches.
Students plan to present the outdoor space in a ‘grand re-opening’ once the project is completed and will write about the project for the local newspaper.

Reflection & Celebration

Once this project is complete, students plan on hosting a grad re-opening celebration in order to present their hard work to the school and community. Students will also reflect on the project and submit an article to the local newspaper to highlight what they have done and educate the broader community on what they had learned.

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