Rain Gardeners Classroom Education & Outreach Pilot Program | |
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Year
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2010 |
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Proponent
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Corporation of Delta |
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Project type
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Engagement |
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FSWP funding source
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DFO Fraser Basin Initiative |
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Grant amount
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$6,050.00 |
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Total project value
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$11,900.00 |
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ID number
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FSWP10-D1-E |
Location: Greater Vancouver,
Delta
Project Summary
SUMMARY
This project will develop the Rain Gardener Classroom Education & Outreach Program. The project will ensure the long term viability of rain gardens installed at schools through the delivery of in-classroom education modules that will raise participants’ awareness of their connection to the watershed. Each year a Gardeners Classroom will be responsible for the maintenance of the garden and will receive the education program. Funding will be used for curriculum and presentation creation and development.
OVERVIEW
The Rain Gardener program compliments Delta Engineering’s Rain Garden Program for elementary schools. Building on the success of the Cougar Creek Elementary School Rain Garden Project, the Office of Climate Action & Environment (CAE) is developing the Rain Gardener program to ensure the long term viability of rain gardens at other schools through the delivery of in-classroom education modules that will raise participants’ awareness of their connection to the watershed. The Cougar Creek Streemkeeprs initiated the first Delta school yard rain garden at Cougar Canyon Elementary and has an ongoing program with the school to work with and educate students on the rain garden. Delta’s Rain Gardeners Classroom Education and Outreach Program will develop a program package that can be delivered to all schools within Delta.
Modules will reflect a watershed stewardship theme delivering comprehensive and supported learning opportunities for students through the education and maintenance opportunities a rain garden provides. Dovetailing with the installation of a rain garden, CAE will provide a set of curriculum based learning modules to a designated classroom (Gr. 4 or Gr. 5) that will educate and engage students as well as ensure the long term maintenance of the rain garden. Every year the maintenance of the rain garden will be assigned to one classroom.
Through the installation of a rain garden and the associated education of students about the rain garden, we are connecting students to their local watershed and raising awareness as to how their actions may impact nearby watercourses in a positive or negative manner. The rain garden will allow students to experience caring for nature by maintaining the garden. The education components of the program will emphasize the connection of the rain garden to the local watercourse through storm water education. This project will engage students on a yearly basis about watersheds and their relationship to it. By facilitating continued learning and maintenance of the garden it will allow for sustained stewardship and awareness to be generated about the rain garden and local watershed over many years. This program will help build aptitude within the schools to do this and thus build capacity within the local community over time.
The program includes classroom learning modules, classroom supply kits, presentations and activities on a quarterly basis. Topics to be covered include: ecology, gardening, local foods, storm water, watersheds, waste management and climate change.
Currently there are two elementary school rain gardens. The program also partners internally with the Engineering Department. The Engineering Department is responsible for designing and building the gardens and plans to install one to two rain gardens at elementary schools each year, depending on budget and the scope of the projects. There are twenty-four (24) elementary schools within the Delta School District.
Within each Engineering rain garden project budget, funds are set aside to purchase a Classroom Rain Garden Kit with supplies and tools for the maintenance of the garden and for a rain garden bulletin board to be installed in the school. A poster explaining the rain garden and the local watershed is displayed in the bulletin board and will promote the rain garden and broaden the education opportunities to other students and parents within the school.
This project is intended to fund the development of the Rain Gardeners Classroom program. The goal is to have curriculum and 4 school presentations developed that can be delivered to schools in conjunction to the installation of rain gardens. Once developed, the long term delivery of the program will be carried out by the CAE department.
Once the program is developed, CAE will be able to deliver the program to all schools with a rain garden.
OBJECTIVES
Objective #1 Develop curriculum that reflects a watershed stewardship theme delivering comprehensive and supported learning opportunities for students through the education and maintenance opportunities a rain garden provides.
Objective #2 Develop four stand alone environmentally themed presentations that can be linked back to the rain garden. Topics to be covered include: ecology, gardening, local foods, storm water, watersheds, waste management and climate change.
Objective #3 Ensure the long term maintenance and functioning of the rain garden.
METHODS
Deliverables from the program include:
* A curriculum based learning module for the classroom (Gr. 4 and Gr. 5);
* Teacher resource material to support learning objectives;
* Rain Gardener classroom kits that include supplies for garden maintenance;
* Program material for four presentations to accompany the learning module; presentations will focus on environmental topics that can be related back to the local watershed and rain garden;
* Print documents and communication material for raising awareness about storm water issues.
Methods to complete the project include:
1. Curriculum based learning modules will be developed in conjunction with Chalmers Elementary School staff. A consultant with expertise in curriculum development would be contracted to write the curriculum.
2. Resource material will be developed either in house or contracted through the curriculum development professional.
3. Classroom kit supplies will be purchased by Delta through funds set aside by the Engineering Department during the construction of the rain garden.
4. Program material will be developed in house in consultation with school staff and any contracted curriculum development professional.
5. Print documents and communication materials will be developed in house in consultation with curriculum development professional.
BENEFITS
This project will contribute to the long-term sustainability of Fraser Basin salmonid and healthy watersheds by educating Delta’s youth on Delta salmon bearing watercourses, watershed connectivity to storm drains, storm drain pollution. The continued education of youth on environmental issues will build a long term capacity and awareness of an individual’s connection to their local environment. This will allow students to make every day changes that help the environment and promote sustainable living. By fostering an appreciation of the environment at a young age, it is hoped that individuals will make sustainable choices in the future that lead to healthy watersheds.
Some changes have already been seen in the Chalmers community. When asked on impacts of the garden, the Vice Principle said the following:
“I have noticed some very distinct changes as a result of the rain garden. However, to be sure, I consulted some students, staff and parents. The following is what we have all noticed.
* the front of our school now looks welcoming as opposed to blocked off, muddy and littered with candy wrappers.
* the front of the school is not being hit with tags, or other acts of vandalism
* everyone is pretty thrilled to be part of a plan to help our local stream and wildlife.
* the class that is responsible is very proud of its’ responsibility
* I’ve noticed someone reading the sign, playing on the path or inspecting the plants every day.
* it is encouraging us to look at other areas to improve our schools environment”
Engage First Nations, government agencies and community groups/NGOs
The project was initiated by the Cougar Creek Streamkeepers. The development of gardens and programs in others areas of Delta could promote the creation of new groups. Local naturalist groups and Local First Nations can be asked to do presentations and speak on environmental issues as part of the curriculum.
Value-added aspects
As the structure of each school and community is different, this will also reflect in the structure and roll out of the rain gardeners program. Opportunities for engagement include:
* Local volunteers to help water and maintain the garden during the summer, thus education and engaging the local residents
* Participation by the Parent Advisory Committee
* Outreach to families on how to create their own rain garden at home
* Development of new stewardship groups or volunteers
* Local storm drain marking campaigns
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