SUDBURY—Last Wednesday, the Rainbow District School Board held its first EcoSummit at Laurentian University’s Fraser Auditorium, marking a significant step towards fostering environmental awareness among students. Organized by the Environmental Education Committee, the event aimed to engage students from Grades 7 to 12 across Rainbow Schools in discussions on environmental stewardship.
Director of Education Bruce Bourget reiterated the board’s commitment to environmental education, emphasizing the importance of equipping students with the knowledge to care for the planet.
Keynote speaker Elaine Rubinoff from Learning for a Sustainable Future delivered a thought-provoking talk on climate change, encouraging students to become active participants in addressing environmental issues.
Throughout the day, students participated in a variety of workshops covering topics such as the Medicine Wheel teachings, electric vehicles and local endangered species. These workshops provided students with practical insights into sustainable living practices.
In an effort to reduce carbon emissions, the City of Greater Sudbury’s GOVA public transit offered complimentary transportation to and from the EcoSummit for participating schools within the city limits, exemplifying a shared commitment to sustainability.
Throughout the day, students enthusiastically engaged in a diverse array of eco workshops, delving into topics ranging from the spiritual teachings of the ‘M’Shkikeh E-waawyeh Ichigan Kinoomaadwinan’ Medicine Wheel to the intricacies of electric vehicles and Sudbury’s endangered species. These workshops provided a holistic education on environmental stewardship, empowering students to effect tangible change in their schools and beyond.
The EcoSummit’s impact reverberated far beyond the auditorium, as evidenced by the reflections of attendees. Jordan Goddard, a Grade 11 student from Manitoulin Secondary School, underscored the event’s significance in shaping young minds for a sustainable future. “This event taught us the harshness of climate change but inspired hope and goodness in young people,” Jordan reflected, encapsulating the transformative essence of the EcoSummit.
“I believe it’s very important for young minds to consider the unfortunate state of our planet and how it will become a large factor in their future,” Jordan continued. “This event taught us the harshness of climate change, but inspired hope and goodness in young people. At the conference, some students presented how their schools are contributing positively to the environment. I wish to see that all schools in the Board are able to showcase how they started their journey to becoming greener.”
From Central Manitoulin Public School, students echoed a sentiment of empowerment and camaraderie fostered by the summit. Grade 8 student Jolie Labranche shared her enthusiasm for learning about electric vehicles, while her peer Brinley Watson highlighted the collective commitment of schools towards environmental stewardship.
“I attended a workshop on electric vehicles and learned how EVs can help us reduce our carbon footprint and slow down climate change,” Jolie shared. “It was great to see all the schools from our board and that so many students are doing what we do to help the Earth through EcoSchools. It was a fun day and I hope that it can happen again next year when I move on to Grade 9.”
The EcoSummit not only served as a platform for knowledge exchange but also forged lasting connections among students from diverse backgrounds. Alyx Labranche, a Grade 7 student, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to interact with peers from across Manitoulin Island, envisioning a future of collaborative environmental action.
Angele Rhiness, a Grade 7 student shared, “I went to a workshop to learn about endangered species around the Sudbury area. Some of the animals that we need to protect and conserve their habitat are the little brown bat, monarch butterfly and the Blanding’s turtle. The monarch butterflies live on Manitoulin Island, where I live. They like the milkweed, but humans are destroying that plant and causing stress for the monarchs. During the keynote speaker, I was able to present how my school composts lunch, breakfast, garden and yard waste to inspire other students and schools. Having all the schools together is impactful because we can learn how to help the climate change and take actions in our own communities and schools. My goal is to make bat houses at home and in my school to help provide a safe habitat for little brown bats.”
Cori Davy, a teacher at Central Manitoulin Public School, hailed the EcoSummit as a catalyst for professional growth, citing the invaluable exchange of ideas and mentorship among schools. “One of the highlights was sharing a bus to the EcoSummit with all the schools from Gore Bay to Whitefish,” she said. “Having the opportunity to talk with students and staff from various schools about what environmental initiatives they are undertaking was wonderful professional learning. Mentoring each other and seeking new information gives us inspiration to take more positive action in our schools to address climate change.”
As the curtain fell on the inaugural EcoSummit, a palpable sense of optimism pervaded the air, signaling the dawn of a new era of environmental leadership within Rainbow Schools. With seeds of inspiration sown and a collective commitment to effecting positive change, the EcoSummit stands as a testament to the transformative power of education in shaping a sustainable future.
