May 5, 2010

Celebrating Environmental Action in School District No. 23

KELOWNA, BC: On Thursday, May 6 beginning at 11:30 a.m., teams from 10 schools will share the highlights and outcomes of their three-year experience with Destination Conservation.  The program involves a cross-section of the school community including students, teachers, administrators, and custodians.  The program is partially funded by FortisBC and Terasen Gas with the goal of helping schools and individuals reduce their ecological footprints.  Proven utility savings were shared back to the schools after year one, according to Alan Cumbers, Director of Operations.

“The school team projects in Destination Conservation involve energy and water conservation, recycling and composting,” says Peter Hill Energy & Sustainability Manager.  “These activities support the District's new Environmental Sustainability policy by teaching students about improving and protecting the quality of the natural environment.  They also reduce District costs for energy, water and garbage transportation and tipping fees.”

The celebration will include a special presentation by the students of KLO Middle School.  They have created a video documenting their Bluebird Box project, a student-led effort to increase the bluebird population by building nesting boxes at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan Campus.  This project was among the winners at the recent B.C. Green Games environmental action contest.  The $1000 prize money will fund KLO’s schoolyard greening project. 

There will also be award presentations and activities for students relating to this year’s theme of Greenwashing. 

Since 1983, the three-year Destination Conservation program has helped administration, staff and students reduce their utility costs through behavioural change initiatives and low cost and/or no cost technological changes.   Terasen Gas and FortisBC sponsor the first two years of the program in School District No. 23. 

Agenda for May 6, 2010 at Hollywood Road Education Centre:

11:30 a.m. - Welcome
11:35 a.m. - Student presentations (1 or 2 volunteer schools)
11:50 a.m. - District and Sponsor presentations
12:00 noon - Lunch and Green Gallery Visit – vote for People’s Choice Award
12:20 p.m. - Destination Conservation Plaques and Awards     
1:00 p.m. - Activities at two stations (in two groups)

Approved by the Superintendent and Peter Hill on May 5, 2010

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For comments, please contact:

Peter Hill, Energy & Sustainability Manager, Operations, (250) 491-4046

Laura Bamsey, Destination Conservation, 1-866-990-0165, web: www.dcplanet.ca

Hugh Gloster, Superintendent of Schools, (250) 860-8888

For background information, please contact Lisa Harrison lharriso@sd23.bc.ca or 470-3284.