• Algonquin Lakeshore Catholic District School Board
• Avon Maitland District School Board
• Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario
• District School Board of Niagara
• Durham Catholic District School Board
• Durham District School Board
• Halton Catholic District School Board
• Halton District School Board
• Halton Conservation Authority
• Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
• Huron Perth Catholic District School Board
• The Mercaz (Jewish Board of Education)
• Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board
• Niagara Catholic District School Board
• Peel District School Board
• Peterborough Victoria Northumberland Clarington Catholic District School Board
• Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board
• Thames Valley District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto & Region Conservation Authority
• Trillium Lakelands District School Board
• Upper Canada District School Board
• Waterloo Region District School Board
• York Catholic
• York Region District School Board

To achieve certified EcoSchool status, students participate in an exciting, school-wide program that integrates ecological literacy with hands-on activities to conserve energy, reduce waste and green their school grounds. Points are awarded for achievement according to the EcoSchools certification criteria.

An EcoTeam, comprised of students and a broad spectrum of members from the school community, creates, implements and monitors action plans to track, manage, and evaluate progress.

Through this innovative teaching model, students develop the knowledge they need to understand how their actions have an impact on the environment and make the most environmentally responsible choice possible.  

Karin Schmidlechner, Principal at Pierre Elliot Trudeau Public School in Durham District School Board, is pleased with the results of the EcoSchools program. “EcoSchools provided a framework, a mind set and specific goals that would underscore the importance of both awareness and action. From past experience we also know that we could make a difference collectively and individually.  Students embraced the EcoSchools program and shared their enthusiasm and knowledge with the community in meaningful ways.”

The need for environmental education is recognized by all levels of the education system. Last year, the Ministry of Education created a Working Group to write a report to examine environmental education in Ontario’s schools.   Chaired by Dr. Roberta Bondar, this group produced Shaping our Schools, Shaping our Future, a report containing 32 recommendations to ensure that Ontario’s students are prepared with the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices needed to be environmentally responsible citizens.  The Ministry of Education has endorsed the report and many boards see the EcoSchools program as the means to implement its recommendations.

Ontario EcoSchools was created by a consortium of education stakeholders to address environmental issues in the formal education system.  Seven school boards, York University, and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority collaborated to adapt and expand on the work of the Toronto District School Board, developing an environmental education program that can be used province-wide. Currently there are 31 school boards throughout the province in various stages of implementing EcoSchools.  The Ontario EcoSchools program is free-of-charge.  Resources are available in English and French and may be downloaded from www.ontarioecoschools.org.

Ontario EcoSchools receives support from the Ministries of Education, Environment and Energy.

For further information or dates of certification awards ceremonies, please contact:
Catherine Mahler, Program Coordinator,
(416) 642-5774,
cmahler (at) ontarioecoschools.org