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2012 Toyota Earth Day Canada Scholarship Program - Deadline: January 31, 2012 2012 Green Matters Essay Contest - Deadline: March 9, 2012 |
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NEW!!
‘Back to Nature’ the theme for
2012 Green Matters Essay Contest
The 5th Annual Green Matters Essay Contest was launched at this evening’s City Council meeting. The 2012 edition of the contest invites Fredericton students Kindergarten to Grade 12 to discuss why protecting nature is important to them, and what we can do to celebrate nature.
Richard Louv said, "The future will belong to the nature-smart—those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world and who balance the virtual with the real. The more high-tech we become, the more nature we need."
The question we are asking students this year is why is nature important? How can we get back to celebrating our beautiful environment, and spending more time exploring it?
"We are so blessed here in Fredericton to have reminders of nature all around us", said Councillor Eric Megarity, Chair of the City’s Public Safety and Environment Committee. "We want students to explore their love for nature, and why it’s important to protect the environment, and celebrate its beauty."
The Essay Contest features four categories: Elementary school (K-2); Elementary school (3-5); Middle school; and, High school. Eligible students must currently attend schools in Districts 1 and 18.
There is one main prize in each of the elementary categories ($150), and two prizes in each of the middle ($250 for first and $100 for second) and high school ($500 for first and $150 for second) categories There is also one prize for creativity in each category ($50 for Elementary and Middle Schools, $100 for High School), which will be awarded based on the judges’ discretion. A collection of environment-themed books and other educational materials will be presented to the school that provides the most submissions, as a percentage of their school population.
Submissions will be accepted in both official languages. Elementary (K-2) students limit written submissions to 150 words. Elementary (3-5) have a limit of 250 words while Middle School entries should be no more than 750 words. High School entries can be up to 1,000 words.
All written entries, except in the Elementary K-2 and 3-5 categories, must be typed, and double-spaced. Entries in the K-2 and 3-5 categories can either be typed or printed/written legibly.
Entries must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012. All submissions must include the student’s name, school, teacher’s name, and teacher’s email address. Email submissions are preferred and can be sent to Green Matters and must be sent as file attachments in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format. Submissions may also be mailed to: Green Matters, PO Box 130, 397 Queen Street, Fredericton, NB, E3B 4Y7 or hand delivered to Fredericton City Hall at the Green Matters address.
Entries will be judged for quality by a panel of three independent judges. Winners will be announced at a date and time yet to be determined. For more on the Green Matters Essay Contest phone 460-2777.
Did you know?
If you have an old computer, television, or other electronic equipment to dispose of, you don't have to take it to the landfill? There are now two options in Fredericton that will help recycle e-waste.
Computers for Schools (CFS) is a national, federal government-led initiative that operates in cooperation with all provinces and territories, the private and volunteer sectors. CFS collects, repairs and refurbishes donated surplus computers from personal, government and private sector sources and distributes them to schools, public libraries and not-for-profit learning organizations throughout Canada.
Over the past several years, CFS-NB has delivered over 75,000 computers to public schools, First Nations Schools, public libraries, and special projects in the New Brunswick area.
Placing computers into classrooms means that New Brunswick students gain hands-on experience with computers, and other technology, which facilitates the development of new skills.
On top of all this, CFS-NB also provides environmental benefits by ensuring that computer systems do not end up in landfill sites but are, instead, reused and/or recycled. All non-working systems are stripped of their working parts, which are then used to repair other systems.
Greer’s Mountain Salvage, located in Hanwell, will accept your old electronics, break them down, and package to be sent for recycling. Each of the components is separated out, which generates the least amount of waste. You can drop off old computers, televisions, stereos, and even humidifiers for recycling. There is a small $7 fee to cover the cost of recycling old non-flat screen monitors. Check them out at
http://www.gmsrecycling.ca/.Click here for a list of dropoff locations to recycle batteries and old cell phones.
Here’s another option: http://www.recyclemycell.ca/overview.php
Take the Family Eco-Challenge!
The Department of Environment is seeking 20 families to take part in an awareness challenge on climate change.
This is an opportunity to highlight and share with us and other New Brunswickers what you are already doing, and to learn about new activities that will help you reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to a changing climate. You will also gain insightful information on climate change.
The Eco-Challenge has been designed specifically to raise awareness of climate change issues. It will take you through a step-by-step program to reduce your environmental footprint, make a real difference to the environment, and save you money. The program is easy to follow, contains easy step-by-step instructions, and someone will be available to answer all your questions. The activities of the challenge will focus on the following themes: energy, transportation, waste, water and measures to help you adapt to a changing environment.
Over the course of the challenge, experts from the Department of Environment, Canadian Standards Association and Efficiency NB will provide you with tips and advice. You will also have the opportunity to network with other participating families.
The Family Eco-Challenge will be launched on January 9, 2012 and will conclude June 1, 2012.
To obtain more information, contact the Department of Environment at 506-453-3700 or by e-mail at ecochallenge-ecodefi@gnb.ca.
Participants must reside in New Brunswick.
