On May 14, Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Peel EcoSchools program at the Claireville Outdoor Education Centre.
This milestone event highlighted the culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability nurtured across Peel Region’s school communities by dedicated school board staff and their eco-conscious students, who are the heart of this program.
Darryl Gray, TRCA’s Director of Education and Training, welcomed the 120-plus students, educators, school board staff, and trustees from Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board (DPCDSB) and Peel District School Board (PDSB) to the celebration.
The event featured engaging, hands-on activities focused on environmental leadership, climate change, and outdoor learning.
Thanks to the generous support of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation, attendees also enjoyed the opportunity to plant more than 400 trees and shrubs, each representing a school in the region – a powerful symbol of collective commitment to the environment.
Other highlights included a scenic tour of the Claireville Outdoor Education Centre, and a Gallery Walk showcasing the impressive accomplishments of the certified EcoSchools in attendance.
TRCA’s Peel EcoSchools program builds on the capacity of the EcoSchool Canada initiative, a national program that enables students and educators to build custom certification plans that align with over 50 environmental actions, all linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
With the support of the Region of Peel, the Peel EcoSchools Program collaborates with the Dufferin-Peel Catholic and Peel District School Boards to promote positive climate, water, and waste actions.
This is accomplished by encouraging behavioural changes and operational shifts through completion of various EcoSchools Canada certification actions.
The Program also provides professional development workshops and student opportunities to equip board staff, educators, and student EcoTeams with the necessary skills and knowledge to become environmental leaders in their communities.
The Peel EcoSchools anniversary celebration coincided with the Provincial Day of Action on Litter, aligning perfectly to celebrate actions undertaken by Peel schools to combat litter through school and community clean-ups, proper waste sorting, and promoting zero-waste practices like litter-less lunches and use of reusable water bottles.
In 2023, school waste audits revealed that participating PDSB and DPCDSB schools diverted 272.1 kg of waste from landfills – a tangible impact of their efforts.
The celebration at Claireville showcased the collective dedication and hard work of educators and student EcoTeams, all striving to make Peel Region a greener, healthier, more sustainable place. It was a celebration of shared success in instilling these values in the next generation of environmental stewards.
Notable Peel EcoSchool program achievements over the past 15 years include:
- The Peel EcoSchools program has supported schools in achieving their EcoSchools certification goals, with a total of 2,888 certifications earned. 49% of certifying schools reached gold or platinum levels – the highest levels of achievement possible.
- More than 2,775 teachers from the Dufferin-Peel Catholic and Peel District School Boards have benefited from training and professional development opportunities offered through the program.
- Since 2010, 276 grants totaling nearly $70,000 have been awarded to certifying Peel schools to support environmental actions related to climate change. Projects have included:
- The creation of pollinator and food gardens
- Community clean-ups
- Student EcoFairs and festivals
- Installation of anti-idling signs on school property
The achievements of participating schools during the 2022-2023 school year demonstrate the program’s ongoing success in Peel Region:
- 236 schools in Peel Region were certified as EcoSchools.
- 79% of certifying schools achieved a gold or platinum level.
- 3,400 environmental actions were completed, with 46% of those actions reaching the whole school community.
- 5,500 student environmental leaders were engaged in school EcoTeams, and 408,800 hours of outdoor learning took place, equivalent to over 46 years.
This 15-year milestone sets the stage for the next leg of the Peel EcoSchools journey, embracing a future that promises innovation, growth, and more sustainable outcomes.