The
Windsor Green Team recently stepped up and demonstrated their commitment to
sustainability by arranging a large clean-up to help remove persistent plastic
litter in the forested areas nearby Windsor Secondary School.
The
issue of litter was brought forward from a community partner who shared how the
plastic trash was attracting rats and, in
turn, creating the potential to harm our precious fish bearing stream. Because
the litter began attracting rats, it increased the need for rodenticide (rat
poison) near the sensitive rainforest areas where secondary poisoning of wildlife
can occur, affecting owls and other raptors.
Trash found in the woods prior to the clean-up
After receiving this
information, the Windsor Green Team quickly mobilized and took action to remove
all of the litter from the forest and prevent more harm to the local wildlife.
As "the Natural Place to Learn", one of the
North Vancouver School District’s (NVSD) six strategic priority areas is sustainability. NVSD is
committed to demonstrating leadership and providing the highest standard of
education in environmental stewardship through programs, education and
facilities that foster greater sustainability.
Through NVSD's commitment to sustainability, we always want to ensure the streams and areas surrounding each school are clean and contain no trash or substances that could potentially harm the surrounding ecosystem.
The Windsor Green Team echoes NVSD's commitment and took quick action to assemble a team, remove the litter, and put processes in place to ensure the areas and streams surrounding the school remains clean for the animals who call the forest their home.
One of the Green Team's main priorities is litter reduction and each year they organize an annual community cleanup to help clean-up unwanted trash throughout the community. 2019 marks Windsor Secondary's ninth year of community clean-ups and the Green Team does a great job of making a point to give back to their community.
The Green Team also believes others in the neighbourhood around Ron Andrews Community Recreation Centre have been assisting to keep the forest clean as well.
The Green Team is often made aware of certain areas that are in need of care however, by the time they get there, the area has already been cleaned! "We love the thought that there are fellow "waste warriors" out in the community!", says Megan McEwen, Windsor Secondary teacher and teacher sponsor of the Green Team.
In
appreciation for their conscious and efficient efforts to eliminate the trash,
the Windsor Green Team was formally invited to attend the Green Team to attend “Be
Owl Wise” presented by Parkgate Library, Elders Councils for Parks, and the Orphaned
Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL).
The event, hosted at Parkgate Library on Thursday,
June 20th, 2019, from 7:00 – 8:00pm, will feature a talk by
biologist Kate Fremlin and a presentation from an OWL representative.
On behalf of the North Vancouver School District,
we thank the community partner for putting forward this issue and to the
Windsor Green Team for facilitating the trash clean-up! Your efforts are
recognized and truly make a positive difference to our environment and the
overall well-being of the North Shore.
To learn more about the “Be Owl Wise” event, please
visit: https://nvdpl.ca/event/be-owl-wise.
For
more information regarding the North Vancouver School District’s Sustainability
Strategy, click here.