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Seaview Elementary in Lantzville a finalist in environmental contest

Public votes will help in David Suzuki Foundation’s Future Ground Prize contest
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Seaview Elementary School was named as one of 15 finalists in the Future Ground Prize contest through the David Suzuki Foundation. (Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools image)

A Lantzville school is being recognized for its positive impact on the environment.

According to a release from the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district, Seaview Elementary School was named as one of 15 finalists in the Future Ground Prize contest through the David Suzuki Foundation.

The contest highlights youth-led initiatives in Ontario and B.C. that have made a positive impact on the environment.

“Students and staff at the school have been passionate about making a difference in their school, in the local community and even globally,” noted the release.

One such initiative includes transforming the school garden into the Kwikwumluxw Learning Garden, an outdoor learning space to support land-based education. The release noted that ‘Kwikwumluxw’ means ‘little root’ in Hul’qumi’num. The school aims to make the garden the root, or foundation, that connects the lands and teachings from elders.

“When we feel connected to the land, we develop an ownership. And our passion to protect what we love amplifies,” said Jolaine Canty, a teacher sponsor, in the press release.

The release also noted that Seaview students have become ambassadors for environmental and humanitarian change since a presentation by Simon Fraser University on youth-led projects that promote education, stewardship and conservation.

Other environmental initiatives undertaken by the school include school-wide planting using reused milk containers and compost to plant seeds for the garden program, class participation in a ‘recycling carnival’ and an environmental learning showcase, composting all paper towels, and making paper from recycled paper.

For the David Suzuki Foundation contest, the grand prize, people’s choice prize and rising stars prize will be announced on June 22, and the winners will present their projects to David Suzuki during an online public event. The public can vote online at https://davidsuzuki.org/take-action/act-locally/future-ground-prize/?entry_id=198848550 until June 13 for their favourite initiatives to win the people’s choice prize.

READ MORE: SD68 working on details of child-care arrangements at schools in Nanaimo and Ladysmith


mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com

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