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Monarch release Riverfest 2002
Grade 6, Nature in the Neighbourhood, 2005
Don showing off some of his salamander friends. April 2003
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Laugh and Learn
"Laugh and Learn" as others have during our student and community based programs. Their enjoyment and enlightenment is reflected in the personal quotes seen below:
Student: "I had a great day and I hope I can come again. I'll teach others what I learned."
Parent: "Well done, very informative, Excellent job by staff." Maria J Bruno
Teacher: "Excellent, very worthwhile." Tricia Swimm
Through education programs (i.e., formal and informal) about urban and rural ecology, ecosystems and the physical features of the park, WPEC assists in developing a society that is both, informed about the natural environment within which we live and readily able to appreciate its many wonders. Over the next 5 years, Willow Park will expand the programs to improve education and enjoyment opportunities. Through this process the centre supports development of the ability to make knowledgeable decisions in professional and personal lives toward building healthy communities.
Come for a visit through a program or on your own, and have a fun day outside with others, animals and plants. There is lot's to learn, see and be active in. A recent grade 3 student visitor wrote the following note to the Mayor about the park:
"Dear Mayor or Councillors; Today, I went to Willow Park. We did lot's of fun activities like catching minnows, seeing baby turtles, seeing snakes, gardening and many more. We also saw a chipmunk and frogs and butterflies. You will really like it there. You could sit by the river too." Sincerely, Katey Breen
One goal is to expand the programs to further support the curriculum in our formal education system. For the benefit of community members, soon we hope to post here what youngsters are currently meant to learn at school about ecology and the natural environment. Information acquired at a young age, such as how we interact with and impact on the local and global environment around us, determines how we make decisions in our daily lives. As a result, hands on opportunities like this teaches biology and ecology and is critical to future generations.
Perspectives on Environmental Education in Ontario and Canada:
WPEC compliments a current project underway through a charitable corporation called Environmental Education Ontario (EEON). EEON is a coalition of environmental and ecological educators, concerned citizens, parents, and representatives from non-government organizations and government agencies. Believing that Ontario needs more, not less, environmental and ecological education, EEON has set as its task to facilitate development and implementation of "Greening the Way Ontario Learns": A Strategic Environmental and Sustainability Education Plan for Ontario (see www.eeon.org). Such education consists of a shift in traditional learning, includes an examination of what is ecologically sustainable, and explores various options to achieve positive change.
A 2002 Canada wide Environics Survey for EEON, revealed that 67% of respondents knew only "some"or "very little" of all they need to about the environment to make decisions in day-to-day life that maintain a healthy environment. Asked what they think would best help young people make daily decisions that help maintain a healthy environment, a majority (59%) of respondents said that schools, including outdoor education, were considered the best source of information, while three in ten Canadians pointed to the media. Government and community information (6%) and parks and nature centres (5%) are chosen by fewer than one in ten Canadians. Most respondents acknowledged their responsibility to leave a healthy environment for their children and future generations.
Tunde Otto-Harris,
MSc, Environmental Education Ontario (EEON) Coordinator |
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