Virden Collegiate science teacher Julie Mathieson was recognized as Outstanding Educator at an awards ceremony in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.
“I was honoured to receive the EECOM Environmental Outstanding Educator's award!” said Mathieson. “I am very fortunate to have the support from community members such as Ray Cochrane, Kent Lewarne and Mike Bertram to get my environmental programming established. It is so nice to have such a supportive Principal such as Mark Keown at Virden Collegiate, who encourages me to continue developing and executing environmental programs at the Collegiate.”
The Canadian Network for Environmental Education and Communication (EECOM) presented their 2017 Awards of Excellence in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on May 20. These awards recognize individuals and organizations that have collectively influenced hundreds of thousands of Canadian citizens, and helped implement one of EECOM’s key goals – to advance environmental learning, ensuring Canadians are environmentally literate, engaging in environmental stewardship and contributing to a healthy, sustainable future.
Mathieson made the trip to the Maritimes to receive her award and to attend the informative conference. “Fort la Bosse School Division provided me with funding to attend this conference so that I could accept my award in person, which I am extremely grateful for!”
She explained that Fort La Bosse Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) committee also provided VCI with funding to enable her classes to continue to carry out environmental programs through their ESD grants. Mathieson said, “The environmental programs would not be possible if it weren’t for the enthusiastic students that participate in them.”
Virden collegiate students who were also recognized for their environmental contributions towards wetlands and environmental education are: Jessica McBride (President of VCI Enviro Club), Erin Coulter, Shane Keown, Leah Richard, and Caleb Lesnar (Wetland Center of Excellence Leaders). These students will be receiving their certificates at the graduation and undergrad awards evening.
Outstanding Educator
As the head of Education for Sustainable Development committee for VCI, Mathieson’s work goes far beyond the classroom walls. She is active in her community, including working with the Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District, regional and provincial envirothons, along with local Wetland Centre of Excellence programming, and her community’s water festival. Creating her own environmental science course, Mathieson’s students have participated in the Caring for Our Watersheds competition; the Recycle Your Cell Phone competition; the Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-Up, competed in the Manitoba Conservation District multimedia competition; and created brochures advising community members how to make a rain garden.
Further information in the press release explained that Acadia University in Wolfville, recently hosted over 330 environmental educators from across Canada during the 2017 EECOM conference, where over 130 presenters shared their stories and environmental education work with delegates.
One clear take away from the conference was the feeling of hope for our future from the realization of how many individuals are doing such great work to get people outside and connected to our earth. The range of participants was broad from Parks Canada employees, NGO staff, school teachers, scientists, high school students, indigenous leaders, magazine publishers and so many more.
Outstanding K-12 award
Among the six awards chosen from across Canada - BC to NS - Rivers Collegiate was another Manitoba winner, receiving the Outstanding K-12 award.
The students of Rivers Collegiate have been involved in the development of signage, developing and building an alternative wind power source, building bird houses, docks, walkways, and continue to develop a reclaimed CN track site into an amazing wetland site. This wetland conservation is not isolated to the students but has engaged the community as well. They have received a 2016 National Award from the Canadian Wildlife Association and a Manitoba Provincial Conservation Award.
