Congratulations to BC’s Greenest Schools!

April 9, 2009

VANCOUVER - A total of 23 B.C. schools are sharing $50,000 to recognize their students' environmental projects as winners of the first B.C. Green Games, Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today.

"Students were challenged to start projects that support sustainable development, greenhouse gas reduction or environmental stewardship," said Bond. "The level of participation and the quality of entries confirms that our young people are leading the way to a greener future."

B.C. Green Games was designed to encourage students to document and share projects that make positive changes in their school or community. A total of 140 entries were submitted from 34 school districts, with 24 prizes of $2,000 awarded. Reynolds Secondary won $4,000 for two winning entries, and 22 other schools are receiving $2,000 each. Entries included schoolyard gardens, waste reduction, battery recycling and a variety of energy-reduction initiatives.

In addition, two $1,000 viewer's choice awards were given out, with a total of 9,000 votes being cast online. Windermere Secondary school won for its presentation about the school's organic garden, and Chartwell Elementary school was chosen for its video that displays the school's Grade 5 students' passion for composting.

"We are proud to be part of the first B.C. Green Games," said Bryan Tisdall, President and CEO, Science World. "Our young people 'get it' - and we are thrilled to have already seen evidence of schools inspiring and learning from other schools across communities."

Three of the winning schools; Admiral Seymour Elementary, Reynolds Secondary and Dover Bay Secondary, were also awarded solar panel systems from SolarBC via a random draw. All participating schools received a celebration package to recognize their green efforts.

"SolarBC is delighted to be a part of this wonderful program, which champions creativity and encourages new ways of thinking about our world," said Nitya Harris, SolarBC executive director. "Children of all ages are inspired by a solar future, and we are happy to help them move in that direction."

B.C. Green Games is a partnership between the Province and Science World British Columbia. It was developed in collaboration with the North Vancouver and Richmond school districts and the Environmental Educator's Provincial Specialist Association.

Science World, a non-profit organization, hopes to inspire students to become science and technology innovators who will one day develop solutions to environmental issues. This important initiative is also supported by Living Water Smart, TELUS, and Solar BC.

By developing new curriculum and providing resources, such as eco kits for schools and an interdisciplinary Environmental Learning Guide for teachers, the Province is helping educators teach students about climate change and environmental sustainability. As part of government's commitment to reduce B.C.'s carbon footprint, all new and upgraded schools will be built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold standards.

"With the type of projects these students have initiated, we will be able to save water, time and money, and reduce our fuel consumption," said Environment Minister Barry Penner. "And through their efforts we can spread the message of environmental responsibility to parents and the Province as a whole."

To view projects submitted in the B.C. Green Games competition, go to:
www.bcgreengames.ca . LiveSmart BC builds sustainable communities by rewarding smart choices to reduce energy consumption and by promoting investment in green business opportunities to help create new jobs in a low-carbon economy. To learn more, visit www.livesmartbc.ca .

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Secondary School Winners:
Nakusp Secondary School - School District # 10 – Nakusp
The sustainability club at Nakusp Secondary school succeeded in engaging the media, local government officials and citizens in their efforts to turn Nakusp into a fair trade town. The students intend to build a bike rack and a garden at their school.

Fraser Heights Secondary School - School District # 36 – Surrey
The Be the Change Challenge program was created by students at Fraser Heights Secondary and has resulted in extraordinary district-wide environmental action, as they work with local elementary schools to raise awareness of sustainability issues. The students have also sold reusable water bottles and built a bio-sand water filter to address water issues locally and globally.

Robert Alexander McMath Secondary School - School District # 38 – Richmond
Robert Alexander McMath Secondary students decided to use the excitement of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games to engage the entire school in an Eco-Olympic project. The school's naturalist club measured energy consumption and the volume of discarded recyclables. This awareness has significantly reduced the amount of waste leaving the school. The club plans to implement the Bokashi Composting System.

Killarney Secondary School - School District # 39 – Vancouver
Students at Killarney Secondary have focused on composting initiatives, and participated in field trips to learn about rooftop gardens and the impact of turning down school thermostats.

Windermere Secondary School - School District # 39 – Vancouver
Windermere Secondary presented a thorough eco-action plan involving the whole school and community experts. Windermere has developed an organic garden and future plans include the development of a greenhouse and expansion of the garden. Windermere Secondary was also awarded the

Secondary School Viewer's Choice $1,000 prize for its organic garden.
New Westminster Secondary School - School District # 40 – New Westminster
New Westminster Secondary school's environment club is committed to addressing global environmental issues on a local level. The club prepared a presentation on efforts to create awareness of bee colony collapse disorder. Students are encouraged to "adopt-a-bee" and buy a beeswax candle, which supports their own apiary as well as the construction of apiaries in third-world countries.

Burnaby Mountain Secondary - School District # 41 – Burnaby
Burnaby Mountain Secondary's presentation on organic gardening and worm composting demonstrated the involvement of the school and community towards environmental stewardship. The school plans to conduct a garbage audit as part of their continued efforts to create a sustainable community.

Rockridge Secondary School - School District # 45 - West Vancouver
Rockridge Secondary school's environment club has worked to accomplish the goal of "zero waste." Beginning with the sale of reusable water bottles, they subsequently conducted a garbage audit at their school and educated members of their community.

Reynolds Secondary School - School District # 61 – Victoria
Reynolds Secondary won two BC Green Games prizes worth a total of $4,000 to support their environmental initiatives. Reynolds students have engaged Victoria community in several recycling and gardening projects, and their video entry demonstrated their monthly recycling depot. The school's presentation highlighted the entire Reynolds School community coming together to create a space for connecting to nature and learning about the environment.

Royal Oak Middle School - School District # 63 – Saanich
Royal Oak Middle school showcased its recycling and composting program in a fun and inspiring video. Royal Oak students recycle or compost two-thirds of the waste that leaves their school.

Dover Bay Secondary School - School District # 68 – Nanaimo
Students from Dover Bay Secondary are showing their concern for global and local biodiversity. The students researched and built houses to help the threatened mason bees. Dover students constructed and sold bee houses to help soft shelled turtles in Cambodia. Students also created an educational video on the proper disposal of batteries and set up battery disposal bins at the school.