2011 Gimli, Manitoba, Canada
Holly Linklater and Callie McLaughlin from Gimli High School had a simple and very achievable goal to ban water bottles at their school:
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Lake Winnipeg Watershed Model Project
2011 Gimli, Manitoba, Canada
Gimli High School students Cole Wear, Christine Durocher and Erik Isliefson are concerned about the health and sustainability of Lake Winnipeg. They believe an understanding of watersheds is very important for stewardship and sustainability. As a class project, they constructed a model of the Lake Winnipeg Watershed. The project was created by Enviro Club members with support from a local Conservation District.
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Children’s Activity Book
2011 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada
Caring for our Watersheds Contest Junior High Winners of 2010: Breanne, Jenna and Rachel wanted to tell a story of the importance of a healthy watershed. After researching the Battle River Watershed they decided that to have the greatest impact they should educate young people, which is exactly what they have done.
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Students Share Outreach and Eco-Friendly Car Wash Solution(s) in their Community
2011 Alexandria, Virginia, USA
When visiting Holmes Run and collecting water quality data, seventh grade science students at Francis Hammond 1 Middle School were concerned that there was foam and trash coming directly out of a drainage pipe into a streamside marsh. After analyzing potential pollution sources, they decided they wanted to address contaminants running off residential streets into the storm drain system.
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Riffle Crossings
2011 Cromer, Manitoba, Canada
Growing up on a cattle farm, situated in a valley with a creek meandering through it, Kendra Elliott is familiar with the idea of livestock crossing through the water. With this, also comes the knowledge of the controversy surrounding the concept of farm animals being allowed in waterways. She proposed a structure called a Riffle crossing that is “positive for the environment, the farmers, and the animals”.
A student at Virden Collegiate, Kendra won first place at the Caring for Watersheds Competition. Her extensive knowledge on the topic and excellent presentation skills made the difference. Working with the West Souris River Conservation District, a plan was established to install a riffle crossing near Cromer, Manitoba. The Conservation District provided the work in kind and the materials and equipment needed was provided through a generous grant of $8000 made possible by Nutrien.
Kendra had a lot to say about her implementation process and experience:
“Actually having the riffle crossing installed almost seems surreal – most school assignments are just hypothetical, but this one came to fruition in a big way. I’m very thankful that Mr. Cochrane got us involved with the CFW program because none of this would have happened without that first step. Messages of how important it is to look after the environment surround us, but something like this makes it all that more real.
This riffle crossing will help improve the health of the Pipestone Creek, downstream to Oak Lake. This beautiful valley and creek is where I’ve grown up – it is home. Hopefully projects like these will help maintain that natural appeal for many future generations to come. Even the riffle crossing adds aesthetic value. The easiest way to explain it is that it’s a happy place – watching and listening as the water tumbles over the rocks.
It makes me proud to know that I was involved in making this happen.”
Earth Gardeners
2011 Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Seventh graders at Hammond Middle School wanted to demonstrate how organic gardening could reduce the amount of nutrients and pesticides that reach local waterways, including Holmes Run. They created a small vegetable garden in the school courtyard, using composted food scraps from the cafeteria.
Native Plants – A Step Toward Improving Our Watershed
2011 Campbellford, Ontario, Canada
Kiersten Bertrand and Abbi Brown won first place in 2011 for their idea to plant native plants especially close to bodies of water. Through this project they wanted to involve local youth and schools, to raise awareness to the sensitivity of our watershed.
With funding from Nutrien the environmental club at Campbellford District High School, staff from Lower Trent Conservation, the Municipality of Trent Hills and community volunteers planted native shrubs and wildflowers along the Trent River shoreline at Hastings Village Marina.
The shoreline planting provides a colourful shoreline buffer, increase wildlife habitat and protect the shoreline from erosion.
The Hastings Village Marina is a popular location for the local community and visitors to the Trent-Severn Waterway. Signage will be installed at the site to educate the public on the importance of natural shorelines.
From Shirts to Bags
2011 Alexandria, Virginia, USA
When they visited Holmes Run, Hammond Middle School seventh graders noticed trash, particularly plastics, in and around the stream. They chose to address this issue by promoting re-usable bags over throwaway plastic grocery bags. Their project created re-usable bags from tie-dyed t-shirts to give to students at Hammond and their families.
Children’s Activity Book
2011 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada
Caring for our Watersheds Contest Junior High Winners of 2010, Breanne, Jenna and Rachel wanted to tell a story of the importance of a healthy watershed. After researching the Battle River Watershed they decided that to have the greatest impact they should educate young people, which is exactly what they have done.
Breanne, Jenna and Rachel created the Discover your Watershed Activity Book for grades 1-6.
Inside the book are 12 colourful pages which include:
• Information on what is a watershed
• A Fishy Maze
• Water conservation tips
• Facts about Water
• A Watershed Crossword Puzzle
• A Water Saving Word Search
• A Coloring Page
• And space to draw your own watershed pictures!
The girls can now be found in the local elementary schools classrooms handing out their activity book to students. They are glad that their teacher Mrs. Perillat introduced them to the contest, and really enjoyed working together for a “greater cause”.
Thanks to Nutrien sponsorship, 500 copies of the book have been printed to educate students across the watershed.
Project Wake Up
2011 Ponoka, Alberta, Canada
Meghan Rain became interested in environmental issues when a highway was built through an untamed green space where she and the other neighborhood kids would play. She was sad not only because they lost their play area but also because there was a fox den destroyed. She has been determined to help the watershed ever since.
For her Caring for our Watersheds proposal, Meghan focused on the garbage and other pollution entering into the Battle River and other waterways and the impact on the animals.
“Fortunately the water we drink is cleaned and filtered but I can’t say the same for the animals. Animals of all shapes and sizes come to drink in our river; meanwhile pollutants and garbage float around inside of it.”
Meghan wrote a hip and catchy song called “Wake-Up” which educates people about the importance of keeping the waters clean. Meghan recorded the song and has shared it via email with friends, family and with over 100 people at the CFW Final competition.