Educating Niagara Youth as Active Citizen Scientists Through Watershed Education Program


Educating Niagara Youth as Active Citizen Scientists Through Watershed Education Program

2016-04-07

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St. Catharines, Ontario, April 7th, 2016 – General Motors St. Catharines hosted its second annual Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GM GREEN) event with 25 District School Board of Niagara (DSBN) Academy grade eight students in attendance. The GM GREEN program is focused on educating young people about human impacts on our local watersheds, providing the tools to assess and then take community-driven action towards environmental challenges. GM GREEN Environmental Educators consisted of volunteers including staff and students from Niagara College (NC), a McMaster University PhD student, and a number of GM employees. The event took place at the Virgil Dams Conservation Area in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, a prominent farming community in the Four Mile Creek Floodplain and Virgil Reservoir. 

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with General Motors, Earth Force and the District School Board of Niagara on this initiative,” said Alan Unwin, Associate Dean of the School of Environment and Horticultural Studies, and co-chair of Niagara College’s Sustainability Committee. “This is a great opportunity for our students to take the skills and knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom and apply them right here in the community.”

For the second year in a row, the NC GM GREEN Planning Committee, composed of employees from the Office of Sustainability, School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, and students studying in various programs within the School of Environmental and Horticultural Studies, helped facilitate the program as GM’s local community partner. GM Mentors included Pete Birrell, Jackie Cartier, Gavin Coman, Louise Gollar, Heidi Levitzky, Sylvia Santoro, Connie Scoggins, and McMaster University PhD student studying reclaimed wetlands in Northern Alberta, Kelly Biagi.

“GM GREEN nurtures collaborative environmental stewardship and exemplifies the best in Science, Technology, Education, Math (STEM) education and our commitment to serve and improve the Niagara Region,” said Doug Yates, Environment and Energy Director of General Motors of Canada Company. “Access to clean water is essential to all communities, and this program encourages students to be leaders in advancing water quality and conservation.”

Earth Force is a non-profit education organization who developed the GM GREEN program and also provides learning resources and coordination to the networks of partners in 40 communities across North America in which GM operates. GM GREEN engaged over 17,000 young people throughout the U.S. and Canada last year, the 26th anniversary of the program. It is the longest-running conservation education program by any automaker.

For more information about Earth Force and the GM GREEN program, visit www.earthforce.org/GMGREEN.

To learn about GM’s environmental commitment, visit its sustainability report and www.generalmotors.green/ for the latest GM Environmental Posts.  

To learn about sustainability at Niagara College, visit www.niagaracollege.ca/sustainability

About GM in Canada

Headquartered in Oshawa, Ontario, General Motors of Canada Company employs more than 9,000 people across the country and is a recognized leader in green manufacturing.  GM Canada markets the full range of fuel-efficient Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles and related services through Canada’s largest automotive dealer network. More information regarding GM Canada models can be found at www.gm.ca, or by following @GMCanada on Twitter.

Earth Force is a national 501(c)3 organization with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Its mission is to engage young people as active citizens who improve the environment and their communities now and in the future. Through Earth Force and its network of partners, young people get hands-on, real-world opportunities to practice civic skills, acquire a deep understanding of the environment, and develop the skills and motivation to become lifelong leaders in addressing community issues. Visit www.earthforce.org or follow @earthforce on Twitter to learn more.

Niagara College offers more than 100 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs at campuses in Welland, Niagara-on-the-Lake, and Niagara Falls; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Continuing Education courses. Through its School of Environment and Horticulture Studies, Niagara College offers a diploma program in Environmental Technician (Field and Laboratory) and graduate programs in Ecosystem Restoration and Environmental Management and Assessment.  Learn more at www.niagaracollege.ca.

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Michael Wales
Senior Communications Officer
Office: 905.735.2211 ext. 7773
Cell: 905.328.4101
mwales@niagaracollege.ca

Julie Greco
Communications Specialist
Niagara College
Office: 905.735.2211 ext. 7368
Cell: 905.328.2532
jgreco@niagaracollege.ca