The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority ECO School Program is a hands-on learning opportunity for both elementary and Highschool students.  The program encourages young people to take an active role in local water quality and habitat improvements through planning and developing a native wildflower garden on their school grounds.

Natural areas help filter pollutants from surface water.  They reduce erosion, slow down flooding and help keep water flowing in our creeks and streams all years long.

By incorporating natural areas in school yards, schools can do their part to help improve and protect local water quality and increase habitat for wildlife.  In addition, natural areas provide unique learning opportunities for students to see ecological interactions and wildlife up close.

The ECO School Program uses only plants that are native to Niagara.  These plants have evolved with local climate and environmental conditions.  They do not require extra watering, and do well without the application of pesticides and fertilizers as they are adapted to local pests, diseases and can get all the nutrients they need from the existing soil.

Program Benefits

• Increased awareness and respect for the environment
• In the field experience – students take the message home
• Students learn by doing and are more apt to take care of something they had a hand in creating
• Everyone can participate regardless of abilities
• Opportunity for teaching/instructional staff to use innovative means of delivering curriculum materials
• Learning the benefits of native plants
• Creating a natural refuge for wildlife in highly urban areas
  
  

Role of Conservation Authority

The Conservation Authority will provide all materials necessary for creating the natural space, including:

• on-site design and consultation, plot delineation
• native plants, mulch
• technical support/advice
• partnership agreement
• starter maintenance kit (gloves, shovel, trowels, bucket, watering can)
• native plant guide

Role of participating school

• dedicated green space area
• watering and maintenance
• parent/teacher support
• keen students
• in-classroom pre-education
• supervision during planting
• annual monitoring/reporting