“How do you create a culture of sustainability and stewardship?” asks Jacob Rodenburg, Executive Director of Camp Kawartha. The answer, he believes, is in providing our children with inspiring examples of sustainable living in action. From teaching kids how to reduce their carbon footprint, to showcasing green buildings and backyard naturalization, we can Jacob believes, show our children a greener way forward. The underlying message he believes, should be one of hope. Our children will not want to invest their time in protecting a future that seems hopeless. The best kind of environmental education is one which provides students with the tools and strategies to create positive change.
And this is happening right now at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre; one of Canada’s most sustainable buildings. In just two years of operating, the Centre has:
- Toured the centre to more than 11,000 visitors
- Delivered environmental programming to more than 6,000 elementary and high school students
- Provided over 20 workshops on sustainable living to the greater Peterborough community
- Showcased best practices in environmental education to 600 student teachers
- Provided 30 open houses.
- Helped to establish an Eco Mentorship Certificate Program at Trent University
In addition more than 30 organizations have requested information on how the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre came to be.
We are busy working on phase two at the Environment Centre. Thanks to the hard working students from St. Thomas Aquinas High School and a generous donation from the Gainey Foundation, we now have an impressive outdoor classroom. Trent Severn Waterways have kindly donated material and labour to help create a pond. The Peterborough Horticultural Society have provided funding for an arboretum of local tree species and plants for our pond. Nicole Bell and Shirley Williams mentored our educators in creating a unique medicine wheel garden based on First Nations teachings. We plan to have a phase two ribbon cutting ceremony in mid September 2011.
With the generosity of Foundations, organizations and individuals like you, we are continuing to create a culture of sustainability and stewardship for future generations. Visit our Environment Centre Partners & Funders page for a list of supporters and ways you can help.
