Grade 7 students win award for innovative environmental plan

Calgary, AB – Grade 7 students Hanna Stoddart and Halie Ferguson from St. Basil School in Calgary have been declared the winners of this year’s Caring for Our Watersheds contest for their solution to eradicate didymo from the Bow River, an invasive organism that forms on the bottoms of rivers and streams and destroys fish habitat and food sources. This is the second year that the City of Calgary has partnered with Agrium Inc. to recognize students in grades 7 to 12 for their environmental savvy.

 

“This contest is important because it encourages young people to think about what they can do to improve their watershed and to develop realistic solutions to very real problems,” says Kym McCulley, Parks leader for environmental and education Initiatives. “Students who participate are empowered by the experience and realize that that they can make a difference in improving their environment.”

 

As a result of their efforts, both Stoddart and Ferguson won $500 each as well as $1,000 for St. Basil School. In total, more than $12,000 was awarded in prizes to 10 finalists. Following the competition, finalists may also apply for funds from a pool of $10,000 to help implement their ideas.

 

Students are asked to identify an environmental concern affecting the watershed, develop a solution, and present their proposal to a panel of judges. This year’s competition was held May 25 in Ralph Klein Park.

 

 “The purpose of the contest is simple,” says Agrium Inc. program advisor Lindsey Metheral. “Our goal is to encourage students to learn about their local watershed and be inspired to make improvements to the land, air and water. With community and school support, we have seen the creativity and determination students have for protecting and preserving the environment. It’s inspiring when they turn their ideas into reality.”

 

As part of the program, watershed experts presented to over 700 youth and 100 educators. Here are the official results for the 2013 Caring for Our Watersheds (Southern Alberta) contest: