May 7, 2009
E.L. Crossley’s Eco-Athletes Compete at Provincial Envirothon
Kermit the Frog once said that “it’s not easy being green”. However, at the provincial Envirothon, being green won’t be all that difficult. But, to be the greenest, now that will be a challenge.
From May 7 to 9, five students from E.L. Crossley will demonstrate that they’re up to the challenge by competing with the top environmental minds in the province at the annual Ontario Envirothon taking place in St. George.
Coordinated by the Ontario Forestry Association (OFA), the Envirothon is a competition in which 50 Canadian and American teams compete for recognition and scholarships by demonstrating their knowledge of environmental and natural resource management. Teams composed of five high school students between grades 9 -12 take part in challenges based on four different categories: soil, aquatic ecology, forestry and wildlife. Students qualify for the provincial event by participating in over 20 regional competitions held throughout the year.
E.L. Crossley teacher Sharon Keller says environmental issues really resonate with students. “All the students competing in the Envirothon are either part of our school’s Earth Club or Eco-Mentors Program. They realize that as a society, we have to make changes to support an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. Students at the school have undertaken numerous initiatives to reduce waste and conserve energy, and as part of the Eco-Mentors program they are taking that important message to our elementary students,” said Keller.