September 23, 2013
Local high school gets a Green-For-Life facelift
Waterloo Chapter 2013 School Greening Project brings outdoor learning spaces to Elmira District Secondary School

WATERLOO, Ont. (September, 2013) —
The Landscape Ontario Waterloo Chapter School Greening Project is designed to create an outdoor space that is conducive to learning and reflection – an outdoor classroom and ‘quiet’ seating areas.

The design concept and the presentation to the Waterloo Chapter was an initiative of the students of Elmira District Secondary School. The quiet study areas resemble those you might find in a library, but are built outdoors to allow students to study in the calming surroundings of nature.

To enter a school into the School Greening Project, applicants must submit a written proposal. From there, a panel of judges selects three finalists. This year, the finalists were Kitchener-Waterloo Collegiate Institute (KCI), Our Lady of Fatima (Cambridge) and Elmira District Secondary School (EDSS).

Based on the overall needs of the school and quality of presentation put on by the students, EDSS was selected as the 2013 winner.

The Waterloo Chapter School Greening Project features incorporate the ‘Green For Life’ philosophy that is fundamental to the members of Landscape Ontario:
  • Increased Biodiversity
  • Permeable surfaces to enhance water filtration
  • Use of recycled materials (e.g. aggregate)
  • Access to key parts of the site for those with mobility challenges
More than 20 local member companies either donated material or volunteered labour for this year's event. Landscape Ontario estimates that the value of donations for this year's project was approximately $60,000 to $80,000.

Elmira District Secondary School brought an element of uniqueness to the School Greening Project in that all the trees (new and existing) that are planted on school grounds are dedicated in memoriam of students and teachers.

The official ribbon cutting ceremony for the EDSS School Greening Project will take place on National Tree Day, September 25th.
  • 10:00am Press Tour
  • 10:30am Opening Ceremony
  • 11:00am Participant and Media BBQ
Special guests to the event include:
  • Todd Cowan - Mayor of Woolwich Township
  • Ken Seiling - Region of Waterloo Chair and former student of EDSS
  • Ivan & Margaret Stinson, CNLA & Tree Canada